Cjays Tour Group
Cjays Tour Group
5
City ToursCultural ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
This location was reported permanently closed
About
Small boutique tours around the Bay of Plenty,Waikato,Coromandel area's.Among the attractions we go to are Te Puia Thermal Experience (Pohutu Geyser),the largest natural geyser in the southern hemisphere and much more,Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland, also Hobbiton Movie set,Waitomo Glow Worm Caves,a tour of all the attractions in Rotorua including some of the lakes in the area.We are a small group specialists and Disability friendly. You will be very impressed with our service and friendly chat as we take you on your day tour. Our specialty tours are Hobbiton / Rotorua Combo,Waitomo / Hobbiton Combo, Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland, These are available all year for your convenience. Tours booked and paid for via our website will get you a 10% discount on advertised tours. We also run tours to Hobbiton,Waitomo and Rotorua on a single attraction bases,These are an option for Cruise Ship guests visiting Tauranga Cruise Ship terminal for a single day or when there is a two night stopover.
Tauranga, New Zealand

Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles16 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
2
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Joylene E
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
My husband and I arrived in Tauranga, New Zealand onboard the Golden Princess and we were treated to an amazing private tour by our driver and local guide Judy from Cjays Tour Group to Rotarua and Te Puia, the Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. We witnessed the fascinating Pohutu Geyser in full blast and we also saw bubbling mud pools, steam vents, boiling ponds of water, beautiful gardens, a Maori school teaching traditional carving and weaving techniques, a working Kiwi Fruit Farm and the beautiful protected 100 year old giant Sequoia Red Wood forrests. We were also thrilled to see a pair of Kiwis in the Nocturnal Kiwi Conservation Centre. Our transport was a very comfortable airconditioned vehicle and Judy was very knowledgeable with excellent commentary and gave us as many rest stops as we wanted to explore at our leisure. I can highly recommend Cjays Tour Group but strongly suggest you pre-book your tour online before arriving.
Written January 26, 2020
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.
Thank you so much for your lovely comments. It was my pleasure taking you and showing you around. Take care, Judy
Written March 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

JohnnyK
Boynton Beach, FL63 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Judy picked my wife and I at the port at 7:30 am. After a brief itinerary discussion, she tailored an unforgettable 7 hour tour of the highlights of the area. Judy’s local knowledge lead us to sights we would never have seen on a large tour. I am disabled and require the use of a mobility scooter. Judy insured that I was accompanied and comfortable. Our tour with CJays Tour Group was professional and personal. We had lots of fun and learned so much about the area! Thanks, Judy!
Written February 20, 2020
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.
Thank you Johnny and Mae. It was my pleasure taking you both. Your mobility scooter was not a problem at all. It was great to see you both enjoying the sights and attractions we went to see. We had lots of fun and laughter along the way too. Take care, Judy
Written March 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

the_travel_locks
Melbourne237 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We were very pleased that we found Cjays tour group. Our cruise ship was visiting Tauranga, but wasn't offering an excursion to both Hobbiton and Te Puia. So we needed to find a local operator. This had been proving quite difficult, until we found Cjays, as everyone else had advised they were not offering tours that day, our ship being too small to give them minimum numbers.

But Cjays saved the day, as they actually specialise in small group tours, so they had no problem at all accepting a booking for just the 2 of us.

We were met at the port by Clem, at the time and place promised, and taken to Te Puia first where we saw the Pohuto Geyser in full spurt, pools of bubbling mud, a coloured pool and a Maori workshop at the Arts and Craft Centre there. We were also lucky enough to spot a Kiwi in the nocturnal enclosure.

Our next stop at Hobbiton was truly magical. Clem organised the timing of lunch and the guided tour start-time really well and was very helpful instructing us on best ways to optimise our time at both Te Puia and Hobbiton.

It is quite a distance from the port to the locations visited, but the vehicle was comfortable and the commentary on the local area was very informative. And, after what had been an enjoyable day touring, we were safely delivered back to our ship in good time.
Written January 30, 2020
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.
Thank you for this review.It was our pleasure to accompany you on this tour. We really enjoyed your company and the friendly chats on the way. We hope you got back home safely and we will see you again?
Written March 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Diana C
Orlando, FL3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2016 • Couples
Judy of Cjay tours was the best tour director we have ever had the privilege of meeting. She introduced us to the very best in one of the most magical places on our cruise. Judy made sure we had the full experience of Hobbiton, Rotorua and Tauranga. We experienced our first Hobbit Hole, our first Maori celebration, geysers, mudpools and even a Kiwi fruit grove. It was a beautiful day with a beautiful person. Thank you Judy for sharing your hat to protect me from the extreme sun and so appreciate your expertise, energy and enthusiasm.
Written February 1, 2016
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.

Terri B
Erlanger, KY9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2016 • Couples
Booked CJays Tour online before our New Zealand Cruise because I wanted a great experience for my husband as a surprise. I booked for Hobbiton Movie Set and Rotorua. Judy was our guide. She was superb! Met us promptly at the pier and we received First Class treatment and saw much more than planned. Loved the memento map of our trip she gave us. Price was more than appropriate and less than the cruise ship tour and more value. Highly recommend the day tour. Excellent choice!
Written February 18, 2016
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.

Philip M
Bonita Springs, Florida108 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2015 • Friends
By good fortune we hired Cjay when we arrived at Roturua for a tour of Tauranga. Rather than just driving us the 70+kms he took us on a tour of over 6 hrs (for the same price as the transportation).We visited a few extra places and Cjay was an excellent guide/driver. I would highly recommend him.
Written March 8, 2015
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.

Stillwater_Dave
Gordon, WI127 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2015 • Couples
CJ was a guide we were referred to by iSite off the cruise ship dock, proving the old adage "sometimes it's better to be lucky than good." We had not realized the distance from Tauranga (cruise ship dock) to Rotorua and at the last minute needed a guide. CJ was contacted and was waiting when we emerged from the security tent. CJ was friendly, welcoming, a good listener as we described what we wanted to see, and a fount of local information. His van was very comfortable. He used a microphone so we could hear in the back. All in all we thoroughly enjoyed Rotorua and Tauranga because of CJ's guiding.
Written March 5, 2015
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.

dwc13TA
Oak Park125 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
My wife and I had an very enjoyable time with Judy and Nora (driver-in-training who is an excellent addition to the team) on our trip to & from Hobbiton. Even though our shore time would have allowed visiting both Hobbiton and Rotorua, we chose to see see Hobbiton because we had visited Yellowstone National Park (and its @10,000+ thermal features) in June. Had nothing at all to do with the Ohio State-Michigan State game that would be played later that day.

Judy & Nora were waiting for us just outside the cruise ship wharf when we cleared the secured perimeter. Their vehicle was a comfortable & clean van that easily accomodated the 4 of us. Judy drove us around Tauranga for a little while and both pointed out places of interest and shared their knowledge about the area. After heading out of town, we stopped off at McLaren Falls Park and saw the waterfall, which was very nice. Unfortunately, it was overcast and drizzling much of the drive to Hobbiton, so we declined several photo opportunities along the way. Fortunately, when we arrived at Hobbiton the skies cleared up.

The tour at Hobbiton took about 2 hours. Judy and Nora waited in the coffee shop while we were (mostly) enjoying the tour. There were 40+ people in our group, which meant waiting to take photographs at some of the hobbit hole facades. And, yes, there were several times when an inconsiderate person didn't care and just walked in front of me (and others) and ruined pictures being taken. Oh well, that happens at all popular tourist attractions.

After the tour concluded, we started the drive back. Earlier during the ride to Hobbiton, Judy had mentioned how great the fish & chips are in Tauranga. We asked her to take us to "the best tasting fish & chips" restaurant, and she did not disappoint. All of us enjoyed fresh caught and absolutely fantastic tasting fish served with hot, crispy chips (fries). It was easily the best fish & chips we had on our month+ trip to Australia & New Zealand and one of the best meals we had the entire time away from home. And, yes, we picked up the tab, lol.

Judy & Nora provided a top-notch service with interesting, informative and entertaining commentary. This company is most highly recommended if you are interested in taking a tour of the Hobbiton movie set. So convenient if you are on a cruise ship that stops at Tauranga and have the shore time, or if you are passing through town and don't have a car.
Written October 20, 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.
It was our pleasure to show you both our piece of paradise. I was so glad that you enjoyed the fish and chips (I had a feeling you would anyway) Yes the weather wasn't perfect but I think we made the most of it. Thank goodness the rain held off while you were doing the tour through Hobbiton.... Who knows we may meet up again someday. Thank you for this lovely review we really do appreciate it. Judy and Nora
Written October 22, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Murblelala
Maryland788 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Family
Our family of 4 had a 2 day cruise excursion, one day with July and one day with Clem, and we thoroughly enjoyed both.

On day 1 Judy met us at the port and took us to the Hobbiton, Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, and then dropped us off at the base of Mt. Mauganui (per our request), so that we could hike to the top for fantastic views.

On day 2 Clem took us to Rotorua for the Redwood Forest Tree Walk and Te Puia, with a stop at a Kiwi fruit farm on the way.

We highly recommend Clem and Judy for a cruise port tour.
Written December 31, 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.
Thank you so much for your review, it was our pleasure to show our piece of paradise to you all. We both enjoyed our day in your company and hope that some day we will meet again. Kind Regards Judy + Clem
Written January 2, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

mikee14
london56 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2015 • Couples
We booked this half day tour of Tauranga and the surrounding countryside on the internet before arriving in NZ. We did not know what to expect, however we were not disappointed the guide was a local man and was very interesting and informative. We visited a Kiwi fruit farm, a national park and went high up into the hills were we had great views. This was great value and we thoroughly enjoyed it
Written December 1, 2015
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.

Showing results 1-10 of 16

Cjays Tour Group - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)