The 15 Best 2-Day Experiences in New Zealand

1.Timber Trail – Ongarue to Pureora Shuttle 2 Day Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 186 reviews · from $52Our pick

Two days of Timber Trail mountain biking from Ongarue to Pureora, with shuttle support and optional e-bike hire plus a proper bike wash.

“Friendly shuttle drivers with lots of advice on what to expect, clean buses, good quality well maintained bicycles. Drivers stayed with us until we were on the trail to make sure equipment was in good order and riders were comfortable. A great couple of days.”

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2.Waitangi Treaty Grounds: 2-Day Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 179 reviews · 2 days · from $41Best value

Two days at Waitangi Treaty Grounds for $41, with a guided Treaty tour, museums, bush walks, and a powhiri welcome show.

“Very enjoyable, and inspiring to see the enthusiasm of the whole experience.”

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3.1/2 Day Guided Wellington Tour incl. Cable Car (Vans not buses)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · from $77

Small-group Wellington van tour with Cable Car. Mount Victoria, coastline stops, Weta Cave, rose garden, and Parliament in about 3.5 hours.

“This tour is an excellent overview of Wellington! Our guide Dave is a native Wellingtonian(?) and he was just terrific. He shared all kinds of information on history, plants, animals, neighborhoods, and much more. And he’s a very lovely person to travel around with! There is no way we could have found all these spots on our own. Highly recommend as a great start to any visit to Wellington!”

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4.2 Day Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton Movie Set and Rotorua Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · from $1,222

A 2-day overnighter from Auckland to Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Rotorua geothermal culture, and Hobbiton Movie Set in the Shire.

“This would have been a great tour as far as what you see and do but the whole first day was horrible due to our bus driver - Ben. He was mean from the start of getting on the bus then he had a melt down and ruined the cave trip for all. Good sights on tour.”

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5.2-Day Hobbiton, Rotorua, Waitomo Caves Tour from Auckland with Accommodation

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 45 reviews · from $930

Auckland to Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waitomo on an overnight tour with hotel pickup, included entrances, meals and a small group vibe.

“We had a great time on our trip to Hobbiton, Rotorua, and Waitomo. I guess it's really a compilation of different tours, so you have different drivers/tour guides throughout. We started out leaving Auckland as a small group of 5 people and returned with a group of about 15. A well worth adventure.”

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6.Bay of Islands 2-Day Small Group Tour & Cruise from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · from $452

Overnight Bay of Islands tour from Auckland with Waitangi, Matakohe Kauri Museum, Tane Mahuta, and a dolphin cruise to Hole in the Rock.

“Wonderful tour. We enjoyed all the stops. Our guide Brendan was outstanding. The hotel was great, clean, and good breakfast.”

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7.Photography Tour from Queenstown to Glenorchy – 1/2 Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $235

Private photo tour from Queenstown to Glenorchy with Lake Wakatipu drive, dawn-style shooting tips, snacks, and a pro photographer.

“I bought my husband a photography tour with Glen as a surprise birthday gift. This is his feedback- The scenery in the Southern Lakes Region is a photographer’s paradise, but without someone to point out the best locations, finding them Read more”

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8.Hobbiton, Waitomo, Rotorua & Taupo 2-Day Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 19 reviews · 2 days · from $507

2-day small group from Auckland to Hobbiton, Waitomo glowworms, Rotorua geysers, Huka Falls and Lake Taupo, with Rotorua hotel.

“we were a very small group, which meant we were quite fast and always on time, and it made the connections a bit more intimate. every single stop was stunning.”

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9.Christchurch to Queenstown via Franz Josef 2-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 2 days · from $346

2-day small-group tour from Christchurch to Queenstown via Franz Josef, with Hokitika, Lake Matheson, Devils Punch Bowl, and Wanaka Tree.

“We had Joel and Hollie for the two day tour. Both were excellent guide and safe driver . Hollie in particular impressed us with her knowledge of the Southern island and we learnt so much from her. Would highly recommend anyone to sign up for this tour.”

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10.2 Day Tour Auckland to Hobbiton, Waitomo, Rotorua and Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $526

2 days from Auckland to Hobbiton, Waitomo glowworms, Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu, Taupo, Huka Falls, and Hamilton Gardens.

“Absolutely recommend! Great company and staff. Our tour guide was highly knowledgeable and very accommodating. Everyone needs to do this 2 day tour!”

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11.2-Day Bay of Islands Small Group Tour with Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 2 days · from $435

Small-group 2-day Bay of Islands tour from Auckland, with Waipoua Forest, Waitangi, and a Hole in the Rock cruise.

“great little tour. Well organised and well thought out. our guide Kim was brilliant”

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12.Queenstown to Christchurch via Franz Josef 2-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 11 reviews · 2 days · from $346

2-day Queenstown to Christchurch via Franz Josef with Lake Matheson, Hokitika, Arthurs Pass Devils Punch Bowl, and Castle Hill.

“Unfortunately weather hampered first day … but Martin did great in changing itinerary on the fly. Great pics at Wanaka, great waterfall experiences, nice lunch stop. Martin was good … but Logan the next day was absolutely spectacular! Best guide we’ve ever had (and we’ve done many many tours). From breaking up the journey to lighten the travel load, to great advice at each stop, to sharing personal experiences he was EXCELLENT. Shout out to Cheeky Kiwi for hiring such an amazing driver. Stops at Hokitika gorge & beach, Greymouth Lunch, Arthur’s Pass, Devils Punchbowl & Castle Hill were all very enjoyable … with great stories throughout.”

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13.Lake Tekapo Stargazing & Mount Cook 2-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 2 days · from $346

2-day small-group trip from Christchurch to Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo, with Hooker Valley walk, alpacas, and Milky Way stargazing.

“I had such a wonderful time on this tour! Even though my English isn’t very good and I joined alone, the guide was really kind and explained everything clearly. The small group made it easy to talk with other participants, and everyone was so friendly. Thank you for such a lovely experience!”

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14.Raglan: 2 Day Surf Lesson & Rental Package

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $74

Raglan 2-day surf package: a 2-hour lesson then equipment rental at Ngarunui Beach. Small group, gear included, $74 per person.

“2ème jour conditions météo non favorable au surf (absence de vagues)”

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15.Private 2 Day Tour: Hobbiton, Waitomo, Rotorua Geothermal & Hamilton Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $2,047

Private 2 days from Auckland: Hobbiton, Waitomo glowworms, Te Puia geothermal, Rotorua sights, Hamilton Gardens, with pickup and hotel.

“Vendu comme une excursion privative avec choix de la langue en francais. La seule chose en francais furent le booklet de 2 pages remis a Hobbiton. Pour le reste un chauffeur muet qui nous a fait faire beaucoup de route pour revenir sur noRead more”

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