A lot of travellers enjoy touring New Zealand escorted as the feel they get more out of it than if they are to travel independently. Plus you get to meet other travellers like yourself from different parts of the world so you get to socialize with others and make new friends

No1guide provides a list of Tour operators based in New Zealand who run tours across large parts of New Zealand. New Zealand Scenic Coach Tours are one of New Zealand’s tour operators offering a scenic coach 14 day itineraries for groups of 20 or more on North Island and South Island. There is also Magic Bus Coach Travel that operate a bus travel network for backpackers and independent travellers, offering variable pass options to ‘get on and get off’ wherever you please throughout New Zealand as well as accommodation choices available too. If you’re interested in tours in Queensland on the South Island then you may want to look at Queenstown Garden and Wine Tours. They are a tour operator specialising in wine tours and sightseeing around Queenstown and Central Otago, private garden tours and custom group tours for incentive travel and conference organizers.

What ever you choose there is something for everyone including a selection of New Zealand coach touring holidays plus bus and train tours, short break vacations and self drive holidays for independent travelers.

For New Zealand Itineraries suggestions click on the links below.

14 Day New Zealand Highlights

3 days Auckland to the Bay of Islands

Auckland Great Day Out
See first hand why Auckland is known as the “City of Sails” on this full day tour combining the “Discover Auckland” and “Auckland’s Must Do Four” sightseeing tours. Discover the magnificent harbours, trendy shops, panoramic views and meet some locals on a unique encounter at the Auckland Zoo. Also included is the Pride of Auckland Coffee Cruise.

Swim with the Dolphins Cruise in the Bay of Islands departs Auckland
Ever wanted to swim with a dolphin in the wild? This day tour will take you north of Auckland to the beautiful Bay of Islands where, conditions permitting, you can swim with these graceful and amazing creatures. You may also see orcas, whales, seals, penguins and other wildlife on this ultimate marine adventure. A day of dolphin delight?

Aucklands Untamed Great Barrier Island Tour
If you are looking for somewhere unique to explore, have you considered Great Barrier Island? Book this full day eco-tour and fly from Auckland Airport to a remote and untamed island. Seek out an endangered species, the Brown Teal. Take a magnificent climb to the top of Windy Canyon and admire the surrounding native flora and fauna. Breakfast and lunch included.

Discover Waitomo Caves, Rotorua and Taupo (3 Day / 2 Night Tour from Auckland)
Head south from Auckland to visit the major attractions of the North Island on this 3 day, 2 night tour. See thousands of tiny glowworms on an underground boat ride at Waitomo Caves. Discover the picturesque lakeside setting of Taupo. Explore the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and take in a Maori hangi and concert. These 3 days will be the highlight of your New Zealand vacation.

Overnight Wicked Snow Weekender at Mt Ruapehu
This snow tour to Mt Ruapehu offers a quality trip for skiers and boarders at reasonable prices. Your weekend tour caters for beginners who would like to experience a new adventure sport through to the advanced who are always looking for a new challenge. Your trip includes return transport, daily mountain transfers, accommodation in Ohakune at a comfortable and inviting ski chalet.

Learn to Surf Tour from Auckland
New Zealand is one of the last areas in the world to be discovered as a major surfing destination. This surf tour is flexible and you will visit unique locations, which means you are able to find the best waves. Suitable for beginners to advanced surfers alike. You will have the choice of beach breaks, river bars, point breaks, and reef breaks.

Queenstown to Christchurch via Mount Cook (One Way Tour)
Travel from Queenstown to the city of Christchurch. Admire the majestic beauty along the way including Canterbury Plains, Lake Tekapo, Church of the Good Shepherd, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Lindis Pass. Stop in Mount Cook Village and experience an optional scenic helicopter or ski plane flight (weather permitting). This trip is perfect for those who need to travel one way to Christchurch.

Queenstown to Milford Sound and Te Anau (One Way Tour)
You’ll understand why Milford Sound is one of the world’s most spectacular World Heritage listed areas when you visit its cascading waterfalls and see the spectacular contrasts of mountain peaks and coastal inlets. Visit this unforgettable landscape by coach, passing through the ‘Gateway to Fiordland’ – Te Anau and take a magical cruise on the waters of Milford Sound.

Wellington City and Coastline Tour
Highlights include city, harbor and hill views from some of the city’s most spectacular vantage points, as well as visiting many of Wellington’s most famous sights, landmarks, and icons.

Christchurch Snow and Kiwi Tour
Penguins and kiwis – see them both as you visit two of Christchurch’s leading attractions. Experience the atmosphere of Antarctica with a visit to the International Antarctic Centre – you even get to ride a Hagglund all-terrain snow mobile! Then its off to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for dinner, where you can view New Zealand’s kiwi bird, as well as other native and introduce animals. Definitely two of Christchurch’s highlights?

Palliser Bay, Wine and Lord of the Rings Tour
Visit numerous scenic LOTR film sites, as well as wine tasting at a top Martinborough winery. Visit pristine and rugged Cape Palliser Bay for stunning coastal scenery and unique and special encounters with the largest fur seal colony in the North Island.

Pixies will be back in New Zealand again this August for one very special concert in Christchurch, where they will perform a collection of songs from their huge record.

Created in Boston in 1986, Pixies had a huge influence on bands like Nirvana, Radiohead, Blur and Weezer. Since the closure in 1993 the band reunited in 2004 and since then they have become a huge hit with the crowds in the UK, Europe and Australia.

After the Christchurch concert, Pixies will be the main act at the Summersonic Festival in Japan.

Tickets go on sale on Monday 29 March at 9am.
Date:Tue 3 Aug at 8pm
Venue: Westpac Arena, Jack Hinton Dve, Christchurch

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The video below is of the Pixies concert in Auckland during March 2010.

Induldge your senses and discover new flavours at The Food Show in Christchurch. It will be New Zealand’s most popular and successful culinary event, serving up a buffet of great food and drink. The event will be held in Christchurch from 26 to 28 March at the Westpac Arena. The show will be open from 10am to 6pm Friday and Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

More than 72,000 visitors attended the Food Shows in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland in 2009. This event is yet again sure to draw in the crowds. There will be  a number of  top performing chefs competing in front of the large crowds including famous chefs Richard Till, Lauraine Jacobs, Al Brown, Peta Mathias, Sophie Gray, Ray McVinnie, Annabelle White, and Julie Biuso.

There will be more food and drink exhibitors than ever before, including delicious Kohu Road Ice Cream, authentic Indian curries and award-winning fruit wines from Sentry Hill Wines.

All ages welcome. The video below explains why people attend this event very year.

Date: Fri 26 Mar – Sun 28 Mar, 10:00am
Ticket Information:
Pre Sales – Single day tickets: $16.00
Pre Sales – Under 12’s: $12.00
General Admission Gate Sales: $18.00
Under 5’s: $0.00
Website: www.foodshow.co.nz/index.cfm/Home
Venue: Westpac Arena, Jack Hinton Dve, Christchurch

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The world famous Bejing Friendship Dance Company will be performing in New Zealand for the first time, fresh from Broadway. Now you can experience their stunning performance of the magical dream of the red chamber, a classic love story, spectacular costumes, stunning scenery and world class dancers make this lavish prodcution one you should not miss. All ages welcome.
There will be 3 performances only on 9th and 10th April at the Aotea Centre. Tickets are on sale now at THE EDGE.

Date:Friday 9th April at 7:30pm and Saturday 10th April at 3pm and 7:30pm
Ticket Information: call 09 357 3355
Venue: ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge, 50 Mayoral Dr, Auckland CBD

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Cambridge

Cambridge is a Historic attractive tree lined town located in the heart of the Waikato Region in New Zealand’s North Island. The Waikato region stretches from the pacific oceans of the Tasman Sea and is home to some of New Zealand’s most charming attractions and stunning scenery. Read More. 

Matamata

Matamata is a rural town in Waikato. Matamata is also known as the home of Hobbiton, because this was one of the locations for filming the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Visit the town of Matamata where you can go on the popular Hobbiton Movie Set tour, Lord of the Rings. Buy your tickets and catch the tour from the Matamata Information Office right in the centre of town. Read More. 

Hamilton Gardens

On the way you can stop by Hamilton City and discover the magic world of Hamilton Gardens. Hamilton gardens is a must see and as soon as you step into the gardens you will be amazed at this extraordinary place and best of all its Free. Inside you will discover different themed gardens throughout the grounds such as The Chinese Scholars Garden, The English Flower Garden, Japanese Garden of Contemplation, The American Modernist Garden, The Italian Renaissance Garden and the new Indian Char Bagh Garden. Read More. 

Hamilton Zoo

Hamilton Zoo located about 7 minutes from Hamilton city, on Brymer Road is a wildlife conservation park home to more than 600 native New Zealand animals. Hamilton Zoo has stunning garden surroundings, paved pathways and boardwalks. Guided tours can be arranged and makes it the perfect place for a recreational visit. Read More.  

Waikato University

The university has a total of 25,000 students. Waikato University is one of New Zealand’s most modern and original universities, situated in the stunning river city of Hamilton in the Waikato region, on the North Island of New Zealand. Waikato University is young, vibrant growing university in a college town and in a country that is so beautiful, welcoming and safe. Read More.

Bridal Veil Falls on way to Raglan

Bridal Veil Falls is a beautiful and impressive waterfall near Raglan, New Zealand. The falls are a 55m drop from top to bottom and are a 10 minute walk to the bottom through beautiful native bush. Standing at the top of the falls you get a wonderful view of landscape in the surrounding background. There are two good viewing platforms one at the top and one at the bottom of the falls. Read More. 

Raglan

Raglan is situated west of Hamilton and is known as surfers’ paradise. It is Waikato’s only seaside resort. Formerly known as Whangaroa, Raglan is a coastal town with a number of beaches and harbour such as Te Kopua beach and Te Aro Aro Bay close to Raglan and popular for swimming. Read More. 

Waitomo glow worm caves

The Waitomo region is located midway between Auckland and Rotorua and one of the top attractions here is the Waitamo Glowworm Caves. The Waitomo caves are one of New Zealand tourist icons. They were discovered in 1887 by a local Maori chief Tane Tinorau and an English surveyor called Fred Mace. Read More. 

Otorohanga

To the north of Waitomo is Otorohanga, famous for its kiwi house and native bird park. Kiwi house is where kiwis are bred in captivity and has been around for a long time. This is a great opportunity to see a live Kiwi as you never get to see a kiwi in New Zealand because they live in the deep deep bush and only come out at night for four hours. The kiwi bird is unlike other birds, its tiny eyes cannot see that well at night so they feel, smell and hear there way around. Read More. 

Waikato Museum of Art and History

See the regions unique history by visiting the Waikato museum of Art and History open daily from 10am – 4:30pm.
The museum was established in 1987 and is one of Hamilton’s biggest and more extraordinary buildings. The person who designed the museum was Ivan Mercep of JASMaD, Auckland, the same architect who designed Wellington’s museum, Te Papa.
The museum has five levels and 12 galleries and overlooks the river on the corner of Victoria and Grantham streets. Read More. 

Waingaro Hot Springs

Waingaro Hot Springs is the all year round resort that has a wide range of activities and facilities on site for everyone. It is on the way to Raglan, and features New Zealand’s longest open hot water hydroslide and the kamkikaze high speed thrill ride. It also features 3 hot-water pools, bumper boats, private spa pools, games room, TV lounge, recreational facilities… Read More.

Waingaro Hot Springs

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Raglan is a popular tourist spot in summer particularly for surfers and those that enjoy water sports. A popular beach in Raglan, world famous for its surfing, is Whale Bay because of its left-hand break, a 10 minute drive south along the coast.

raglans-whale-bay

There are lots to do here, and is a small, relaxing and friendly environment.

The 25km drive south along Raglan’s thin coastal Whaanga Road offers breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and the Tasman Sea.

Surfing at Raglans Whale Bay

The rocks around the pool are mostly soft sandstones that have been worn down by the river to form a large ring.

Directions: Turn left off State Highway 23 towards Te Mata. After Te Mata, turn left on to Kawhia Road and continue going straight until you see the Bridal Veil Falls carpark.

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