GreatSights
GreatSights
4.5
City Tours • Boat Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Bus Tours
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7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Founded in 1987, GreatSights New Zealand operates the most comprehensive range of premium day sightseeing tours in New Zealand. Our nationwide network provides luxury sightseeing tours to destinations throughout New Zealand. Day tours from Auckland include the Bay of Islands, Waitomo Caves, Rotorua and the Hobbiton Movie Set. Everything is taken care of when you travel with GreatSights. Entrance fees are included within the tour price and optional extras like lunches can be added if required. Complimentary hotel transfers are provided on most tours and our experienced local driver guides will keep you entertained with informative commentary throughout the tour.
Auckland Central, New Zealand

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Tours and Tickets by GreatSights
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(113 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
962 reviews
Excellent
626
Very good
176
Average
66
Poor
43
Terrible
51

leahbotica
17 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
We had the most epic experience on the Queenstown to Milford Sound tour. Our driver/guide Paul was incredible, he made the entire journey informative and so entertaining. He wanted everyone on the trip to have the best day, everyone was so well looked after. The coach was super comfy and we got to stop at all the best spots along the way. We decided to take a scenic flight back to Queenstown and Paul sorted all that for us while we were on the cruise around the Fiord. This tour is a must do for everyone. Such an incredible experience and we had such a great day with greatsightsnz
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnaS_ETG
Kia ora Leah, Thanks so much for taking the time to write this amazing review of your time travelling to Milford Sound with us. It is awesome to hear that Paulie made the trip entertaining for you! A great option to take the scenic fly back option too, it makes for an incredible day out.
Written August 10, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sachin K
New York City, NY5,856 contributions
This particular tour gives one a quick orientation of Auckland City. There are a few stops taken which make it interesting. A stop at the Parnell Village was wonderful. Added the Kelly Tarton’s Aquarium visit to complement this tour. The only reason why I gave 4 stars as opposed to 5 stars was because the driver/guide for this tour was not that great compared to the other Greatsights tour driver/guides. Certainly worth considering.
Written November 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora 716sachink, Thank you for choosing to see the highlights of Auckland with us. We appreciate you writing a review about and we wish you all the best for all future travels - in New Zealand and beyond. Maye and the team at GreatSights
Written November 26, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sachin K
New York City, NY5,856 contributions
The Bay of Islands Full Day Tour from Auckland was an outstanding one. The driver/guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. It was a long bus ride to the Bay of Islands from Auckland with one stop for break in between. Upon reaching Paihia, I took the optional walking tour of Waitangi treaty grounds as well which was fabulous. Later on took the boat cruise of the Bay of Islands, which was extremely relaxing. Saw a few dolphins on this particular tour and enjoyed the natural scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands. Boxed lunch was provided as a compliment on the boat. After the boat trip, returned back to Auckland in the bus with one rest stop in between. It was a long day but certainly worth every moment of time.
Written November 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora 716sachink! Thank you for taking the time to write us a review. We are so delighted to hear that you have had a relaxing time in the Bay of Islands. Our drivers are indeed knowledgeable and friendly, which I believe enhances the experience. I'm sure seeing the dolphins was your favourite part of the trip! We hope you have taken lots of photos to remember your time in Paihia and we hope you choose to travel with us if you ever decide to visit the Bay of Islands again. All the best for your future travels, Maye and the team at GreatSights
Written November 26, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sachin K
New York City, NY5,856 contributions
This tour was simply outstanding. Departed from Auckland and with one test stop in between reached Paihia, which is a long drive. Took a guided walking tour of Waitangi treaty grounds, which was amazing. Later came back to the port in Paihia, and took the boat cruise to see the Hole in the Rock. Saw a few dolphins en route, but the scenery was absolutely spectacular. Included boxed lunch was provided on the boat, which was more than adequate. After the cruise, took the bus back to Auckland with one rest stop in between. The driver/guide was awesome, knowledgeable and courteous. It was a long day but worth every moment of time spent. Would certainly very highly recommend same to any tourist in Auckland.
Written November 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora 716sachink! We appreciate you taking the time to write us a review! We are so delighted to hear that you had a great time in the Bay of Islands. I'm sure seeing the dolphins with the backdrop of a spectacular scenery was your favourite part of the trip! I do agree that our drivers are awesome and that they enhance the tours we offer. All the best for your future travels, Maye and the team at GreatSights
Written November 26, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sachin K
New York City, NY5,856 contributions
This one way trip is worth it as it includes a stopover for an included guided tour of the Waitomo Caves. Boxed lunch is included as well, making it convenient. The driver/guide was very knowledgeable, informative and friendly.
Written November 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia Ora 716sachink, We are happy to know that you enjoyed your tour! The driver does have an extensive knowledge of the area and it is always fascinating to learn the history whilst you are on your journey to Hobbiton and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. All the best for all your future travels, Cheyenne and the team at GreatSights
Written November 28, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rich L
2 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
I would say that this was a waste of our money and time. First, you get up at 6:30 am and then for a 3-hour ride to the Waitomo Caves. The caves are wonderful but when we got to the caves, it was like we were cattle, we only were in the caves including seeing the glow worms for 45 mins. Then its back to the bus, if you miss your bus then you are left there. Then we drive for another three hours to the Agrodome which was fine but kinda boring. Then another drive to Rortura to see the Maori Dance and experience the thermal pools. That was a great experience but again felt rushed. The bus driver was great. Just the overall trip that had more than 9 hours of driving total vs the 3 hours of actually doing stuff. Next time, we will get a car.
Written July 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lisad0uglas
Whitehorse, Canada1 contribution
Feb 2018 • Couples
My husband and I were really looking forward to this tour. We called to arrange a hotel pick-up with the tour company. They confirmed the pick-up and told us we would be looking for a "Great Sites" tour bus. The morning of the tour we received a call saying we had to walk to another hotel for pick-up. We rushed over to the new hotel and were outside before the pick up time. My husband went into the hotel lobby and talked to the front desk agent. The front desk agent said he was told we had a pick-up. We waited....and waited. My husband went back in and called the tour company. The tour company said they sent a cab for us but we weren't there. We were in front of a hotel.... Cabs came and went. We were looking for a bus. The tour bus had not left the terminal yet so we hopped in a cab and went to the bus terminal (which took 15 minutes). Once there we were told the bus had left without us and we should have known our ride was a cab. The tour company had no availability to put us on a tour the following day (the only day we were in Auckland) so they put us on a city bus to see Hobbiton. We spent 3 1/2 hours (each way) on a city bus (which is another story)and were able to tour Hobbiton (which is an amazing site). We missed the Waitomo Caves and all the guide commentary that we paid for. The tour company said they would reimburse us for the difference in cost of the tickets....We didn't receive a refund.

This was extremely upsetting. When we tried to explain our situation, the older woman behind the counter brushed us off. There certainly was a lack of customer service. The tour company dropped the ball. There was no apology for our inconvenience, or for missing our tour, and to further add insult to injury no refund.

I would not not deal with "Great Sites" or City Link buses again and certainly wouldn't recommend them.....
Written March 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HeisRandy
Seattle, WA25 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
Tour Company: Great Sights
Tour Guide: Damian
Duration: 12 Hours

7:00 am - 7:30 am pick-up time at your hotel (if near Sky Tower)
8:00 am - 10:30 am Travel Time from Auckland to Hobbiton (Traffic may be unpredictable)
10:45 am - 1:00 pm Hobbiton tour
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Travel Time to Glowworm Caves
2:45 pm - 4:00 pm Glowworm Caves Tour
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Travel to Gift Store (mid-way back to Auckland)
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Travel to Auckland (Traffic is unpredictable/rush hour time)

First off, dress comfortably. Walking shoes and a light jacket is recommended. There's a lot of walking involved, but at a very mild pace. A bottle of water and cookies are provided to each guest. My tour group was a much larger group (~47 people). The coach was super comfortable, air conditioned with large windows appropriate for photography. There are 4-5 convenient bathroom breaks: 1) Arriving at Hobbiton gift store (busiest segment); 2) At end of Hobbiton tour, before/after lunch; 3) Arriving/Departing at Waitomo Caves; and 4) at the midway return to Auckland at the Gift Shop.

Hobbiton was a spectacular visit. Upon arrival, you are transitioned over to an official Hobbiton tour guide. In this case it was Emily. She was a fantastic guide. The weather that day was overcast and in the lower temperatures, but it was still very comfortable. You are in a bit of a competition for photos with the other groups ahead of you. So, please be patient. The best advice from Damian was to save your battery life for mobile phone photographers to when you get to Hobbiton. (Or bring a portable mobile charger like I did!) You will want to take a ton of photos. The scenery and energy of the movie set is breathtaking. This tour is meant for any fan of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. There will be one Hobbit Hole where folks will get to enter and pose for a photo. Have fun with that one. Your group will head to the Green Dragon Inn at the end of the tour where you get to taste a selection of 3 beers, and one non-alcoholic option. All tasty! Enjoy the drink by the fire. Afterwards, you will move into another structure where you will dine on a delicious buffet! The lunch buffet was better than I imagined! There was an assortment of hot dishes (chicken legs, meatballs, fish cakes, salads, roasted potatoes, fresh cut tenderloin beef, roasted vegetables, steamed rice) and a variety of desserts. (The desserts were delicately draped & covered to prevent bugs from landing on them.) You'll have about 30 minutes to dine quickly and you'll get to visit a gift store at the exit before heading out. For those folks who love to buy souvenirs, be very quick in your selection(s). It's a standard gift/memorabilia shop with various Lord of the Rings branded merchandise. Most likely you will have only 10 minutes max to do your shopping and purchase.

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves happens next during the afternoon portion. This experience was equally amazing especially if you've never seen glowworms before. The caves are a bit damp and you will feel an occasional drip from the collecting underground moisture. Be wary of steep staircases and a darkened path. The entrance has some low hanging stalactites that you have to maneuver under. The golden rule is silence through a portion of this tour. It will be explained during the tour. After walking through some of the caverns and seeing the intricate limestone structures, you will proceed to a boat and slowly go through the best part of the tour. Please note: photography and video recording of ANY KIND is not allowed during the tour of the caves because of the risk of "turning off" the glowworms. The Maori people who manage this tour will take your photo at the beginning of the tour and photoshop you into various cave settings. The cost of this product is $45 NZD which includes a booklet, digital download of the photos of you, and 4 printed photos. Yes, I just went ahead and bought it out of convenience sake.

Finally, I want to express my thanks and gratitude to our tour guide, Damian. He was a phenomenal guide and historian, sharing insights of New Zealand's culture & history. I appreciated his knowledgeable viewpoints and ability to keep us all on track with the schedule. You can tell that he loves what he does, and brings a deeper meaning to what a New Zealand native truly is. There were some inspiring moments and some thought-provoking stories. Damian made this experience memorable!
Written February 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sue S
Sacramento, CA11 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
The company that is used to book our trip in Auckland.They booked the wrong tour for my daughter and I. We only had 2 days in Auckland. they did nothing to make this work for us. They we not accommodating in any way. Refund given, but do not book thru Viator. Awful service, poor customer service.
Written February 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tom G
55 contributions
From Auckland, expect a 2.5 hour bus ride to Hobbiton. The driver would offer interesting facts about the New Zealand countryside along the way - lots of rolling green hills and pastures with mountains and dead volcanoes in the background. Grab a seat on the left side of the bus as there is a little more to see from that side.
Hobbiton is a guided tour of the movie set. None of the “hobbit holes” have interiors. Quite a beautiful set that was built with the mindset of being a tourist attraction after filming was wrapped. Tour guide was good and kept our group moving. We were given a beer after the tour and s buffet lunch followed - food was decent.
Another 1.5 hours through more pastures gets you to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. The tour through the caves lasted about 30 minutes, finishing in a pitch black cave, save for the light coming from thousands of glow worms on the ceiling. No photos or video is allowed in the cave.
The return trip to Auckland is about 3 hours
Written September 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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