New Zealand Discovery Tours
New Zealand Discovery Tours
New Zealand Discovery Tours
4.5
Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • Movie & TV Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours
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About
The Small Group Experience: Our Only Focus We design our escorted tours specifically for small groups, which allows us to move about more flexibly and efficiently; enjoy more spontaneous encounters; and experience a degree of freedom and independence simply not available to travellers on conventional group tours of 17 or more. Our goal is to show you the major sights and take you where you’d like to go on your own but don’t have the access or opportunity to plan yourself: Giving the opportunity for you the traveller to be free to savour the experience.
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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
216 reviews
Excellent
195
Very good
4
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
12
kat
2 contributions
Feb 2020
We were pick up from our ship by Natalie. Natalie is very knowledgable and a safe driver, we went to the Maori village and saw the hot springs and the Maori people entertained us. Afterwards Natalie drove us to an excellent restaurant, lovely meal. We went to see the redwoods, very impressive. Afterwards we went to see kiwi fruit orchards. The whole day was filled with us seeing different parts of NZ, in fact it was a packed day and well worth every penny spent. If you want to know anything, Natalie can tell you, the tour was memorable and nothing seemed to be too much trouble. Natatlie answered everyone's questions and even gave more. A trip not to be missed.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1946Patty
New Hamburg, Canada10 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We did this tour with Natalie she was amazing, very informative and lots of fun
We went to a Maori village which was very interesting and saw how the Maori people lived and saw a Maori show. We were also fascinated by the Geysers.
We stopped for a light lunch and then went on to enjoy the Polynesian Spa which was also amazing. We had a lovely day and felt very relaxed after the Spa
Thank you Natalie for a very
Enjoyable day
We went to a Maori village which was very interesting and saw how the Maori people lived and saw a Maori show. We were also fascinated by the Geysers.
We stopped for a light lunch and then went on to enjoy the Polynesian Spa which was also amazing. We had a lovely day and felt very relaxed after the Spa
Thank you Natalie for a very
Enjoyable day
Written March 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
criochi
London, UK65 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Our guide was Andrew and he was amazing! He knew a lot of facts and trivia about New Zealand and Hobbiton and he made an interesting trip. Not only that, he was attentive and made sure everyone was having a lovely time.
The Waitomo Caves were absolutely mesmerising and something we won’t see again in our lifetime. Hobbiton movie set was just like stepping into the movie and for a fan it was a dream come true
The Waitomo Caves were absolutely mesmerising and something we won’t see again in our lifetime. Hobbiton movie set was just like stepping into the movie and for a fan it was a dream come true
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gale G
4 contributions
Dec 2022
What a nightmare! As I have read from other recent reviewers, the same thing happened to us on a recent trip of a lifetime to New Zealand. We were so excited to book a tour with NZ Discovery Tours to Hobbiton and Rotorua. Sadly, my husband contacted Covid on our cruise and he went into quarantine the day before the scheduled tour which was suppose to be on Dec 28, 2022. We contacted the company by email (they did not answer the phone which the ship let us make the call) but responded with an email (which I have) stating they were sorry he had become ill and that they would cancel the tour and give us a full refund.
We paid in full for this tour on October 24, 2022.
To date, we have not received our refund, nor have they had the slightest courtesy to give us what they promised they would do.....a refund!
This is exactly why the cruise lines have it totally over third party vendors. It is companies who behave this way that ruin the travel/tour industry for other hard working and trustworthy companies trying to make a living!
I usually would not wish anything bad to happen to any company but I hope this company and their managers go bankrupt and are not living the high life on a deserted island with our hard earned money.
I seriously will only book land tours off of a cruise line through the cruise company. Celebrity went out of their way to help us reschedule, refund any tours that resulted in cancelations because of my husband becoming ill. Good for them! This is how you get customer satisfaction and loyalty. Kudos Celebrity...a class act!
We paid in full for this tour on October 24, 2022.
To date, we have not received our refund, nor have they had the slightest courtesy to give us what they promised they would do.....a refund!
This is exactly why the cruise lines have it totally over third party vendors. It is companies who behave this way that ruin the travel/tour industry for other hard working and trustworthy companies trying to make a living!
I usually would not wish anything bad to happen to any company but I hope this company and their managers go bankrupt and are not living the high life on a deserted island with our hard earned money.
I seriously will only book land tours off of a cruise line through the cruise company. Celebrity went out of their way to help us reschedule, refund any tours that resulted in cancelations because of my husband becoming ill. Good for them! This is how you get customer satisfaction and loyalty. Kudos Celebrity...a class act!
Written January 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Blestnest
Atlanta, GA92 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
My husband and I booked this trip as a day trip from the Rotorua port. From the very beginning we were very impressed with Natalie and Andrew. They were organized and efficient, even though it was a busy day for them. We had comfortable seats in the van, but were asked to move to the front to accommodate some late arrivals. While we were disappointed at first, we actually had the best seats to see the scenery and to converse with Natalie. She was so professional (but friendly at the same time), and such a wealth of information. As with any tour, there are some things we're interested in, and others we are not. We were not keen on the kiwi farm, but it ended up being very interesting. We LOVED the spa and would love to return someday. The lunch at the hotel was very good. I ordered the salad and would not recommend that. My husband's fish and chips were delicious. The Maori village was entertaining and informative. Natalie got us there early so we could get the best seats for the show. We enjoyed the Maori guide, and the geysers were fascinating. While there is a lot of time in the van, Natalie made it so enjoyable with all her knowledge of the area. We highly recommend this tour!
Written February 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so so so much for your lovely kind words.
We really appreciate your feedback!
Thanks again
Natalie & Andrew
Written March 6, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
OY LAM
Toronto, Canada1 contribution
Mar 2018 • Friends
We enjoyed this tour greatly and the guide provided excellent service!! Highly recommended!
The Rotorua Geothernal Geyser tour was very informative and entertaining.
The lunch was relaxing and enjoyable in a friendly environment.
The spa was a worthwhile experience, great to get the stress out of your body!
The Rotorua Geothernal Geyser tour was very informative and entertaining.
The lunch was relaxing and enjoyable in a friendly environment.
The spa was a worthwhile experience, great to get the stress out of your body!
Written April 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
christineb295
Amherst, NH14 contributions
Feb 2019 • Solo
I take several cruises a year and this tour ranks as one of the best I have ever taken. I enjoy the smaller group tours rather than the large groups offered by the cruise ships. Natalie and Andrew run their own company and conduct the tours, so you know they want to do the best, having a vested interest. This itinerary included a LOT in one day, a varied itinerary, all with great interest. The Polynesian Spa was magnificent, so while this is a long day, it is relaxing. Kiwi farm is interesting, the lunch at the hotel in Rotorua was a full meal and delicious (have the fish and chips), and the tour of the Maori village was informative. My only regret was not enough time at each location, but certainly enough time to sufficiently appreciate each stop. It is easy to find either Natalie or Andrew outside the gates of the port, their comfortable vans waiting. Natalie is brimming with information - and an insight provided from one who has lived in NZ for a number of years, yet immigrated from UK. I would recommend this tour to any friends visiting Tauranga.
Written February 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Travel614002
Sydney, Australia29 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
Unfortunately our ship, the Ovation of the Seas had a technical fault which meant that our 10am tour didn’t start until 11am, but that didn’t stop Andrew and Natalie from NZ Discovery Tours from making sure we didn’t miss anything. Our multi generational family of 5 (mum, dad, gran 78, teens 17 & 15) had a fantastic day discovering beautiful Tauranga and Rotorua. Our small group of 17 set off in a modern, clean, air conditioned mini bus to a kiwi fruit orchard to sample this delicious fruit. It was interesting to see how it grows. Next stop was the amazing and very interesting Maori thermal village of Whakarewarewa where our entertaining guide showed us around her home which is filled with steaming hot geysers and multi coloured hot rock pools, amazing! We even had a corn on the cob which was cooked in the steaming water! (In a bag of course!) A 30 minute cultural show was wonderful and full of colour, music, dance and humour. The Haka was the highlight as well as the laughs had watching some of men from the audience trying to emulate the bulging eyes and poking tongue, hilarious!
A wonderful and very delicious lunch followed at a nearby hotel which included a choice of hamburger, club sandwich, pizza, Caesar salad or fish & chips, together with dessert, fruit and coffee or tea. Just what we needed, delivered ready to eat on our arrival. Excellent and really delicious lunch.
Quick tour around Rotorua to see the old bath house and gardens together with a great stop in a local park to see a totally amazing steaming lake and small bubbling mud pools. A real highlight. Next and final stop was the serene redwood forest to view these gorgeous gigantic trees as well as NZ silver fern trees.
Throughout the tour our guide Andrew provided excellent commentary and interesting facts not only about NZ and Rotorua, but also about his own family life and experiences having moved to NZ from the UK. It was a happy, friendly and enjoyable day that we will always remember and recommended wholeheartedly. Don’t pay exorbitant shore excursion fees with your cruise line (and you don’t even get lunch!), book with NZ Discovery tours and you will be happy you did. Pick up and drop off from the cruise terminal with no worry about missing the ship. Great tour and excellent commentary, delicious lunch and spectacular scenery. 100% recommended. What are you waiting for, book now!
A wonderful and very delicious lunch followed at a nearby hotel which included a choice of hamburger, club sandwich, pizza, Caesar salad or fish & chips, together with dessert, fruit and coffee or tea. Just what we needed, delivered ready to eat on our arrival. Excellent and really delicious lunch.
Quick tour around Rotorua to see the old bath house and gardens together with a great stop in a local park to see a totally amazing steaming lake and small bubbling mud pools. A real highlight. Next and final stop was the serene redwood forest to view these gorgeous gigantic trees as well as NZ silver fern trees.
Throughout the tour our guide Andrew provided excellent commentary and interesting facts not only about NZ and Rotorua, but also about his own family life and experiences having moved to NZ from the UK. It was a happy, friendly and enjoyable day that we will always remember and recommended wholeheartedly. Don’t pay exorbitant shore excursion fees with your cruise line (and you don’t even get lunch!), book with NZ Discovery tours and you will be happy you did. Pick up and drop off from the cruise terminal with no worry about missing the ship. Great tour and excellent commentary, delicious lunch and spectacular scenery. 100% recommended. What are you waiting for, book now!
Written February 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JulieJewels4444
Long Beach, CA98 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
This tour was interesting and fun. Company owner and driver/guide, Andrew, was capable and informative. The vehicle was clean, safe, and comfortable. We especially loved the living Maori village. They managed to be very genuine even though it is a tourist attraction. I highly recommend this tour. Also it was 60% of the cost of a ship tour.
Written December 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KACGU
Hilton Head, SC21 contributions
Great tour with good use of our time. Saw and did a lot without feeling rushed. Nice lunch. Good overview of Maori culture and the geothermal activities. Spa not crowded with enough time to explore all the pools.
Written December 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anand-Sara R
3 contributions
In your Tauranga Shore Excursion tour for $138.39, how long is the stop at the Polynesian Spa, long enough to get an optional massage?
The time in the Polynesian spa can vary between 75minutes and 90 minutes depending on the time available with your ship in port!
Most days it is 90 minutes! We find most guest find this is plenty of time.
We will only run a shore excursion if we can have you back at your ship at least one hour before it leaves!
Hope we see you soon!
kind regards Andrew