New Zealand · HISTORICAL TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 history tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
See the All Blacks haka, Māori culture, team history, and hands-on rugby games in a lively 90-minute Auckland experience.
“We had a great time at the All Blacks experience. You don't need to be a rugby fan or even understand the rules to enjoy this immersive tour.”
Auckland’s All Blacks Experience blends Māori culture, rugby history, interactive games, and a powerful haka in a 90-minute guided tour.
“This was great and worth doing even if you don’t know anything about rugby!! I learned a lot about Māori culture and how the history of rugby is tied to the history of New Zealand. It was fun and interactive. I definitely recommend.”
Tour Olveston Historic Home in Dunedin with a guide, original furnishings, art, gardens, and views toward Otago Harbour.
“Just loved the house and found the history of it very interesting. A great experience. Our guide was so knowledgeable and made the tour really interesting.”
Explore Skippers Canyon from Queenstown by 4WD, with gold panning, mining history, mountain views, snacks, and hotel pickup.
“The views, breath taking! Commentary was good as well. The history is interesting. Gold panning was cool too, could have spent more time doing this.”
Cruise Lake Te Anau aboard historic yacht Faith, enjoy afternoon tea, and take a guided forest walk to a mirror lake in Fiordland.
“We had the best time on the Yacht with Adam and Co. We had an infant with us and they were very friendly, accommodating and welcoming. It was the best tour that we had booked this trip, really worth going on small owner opRead more”
Explore Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, local history, and a kiwifruit orchard on this small-group shore excursion with tastings.
“Small group experience. Unrushed comprehensive tour of Tauranga and Mt Maunganui. Great commentary with lots of interesting history. Kiwi fruit experience was an added bonus.”
Explore Omaka’s WWI and WWII aircraft, lifelike battle scenes, and Weta Workshop sets with flexible entry in Marlborough.
“Great place for Aviation history enthusiasts. The WW1 displays are a credit to Weta workshops. The collection of rare planes ws a treat indeed. The WW2 displays were great as well, especially as I have seen most of these flying at some stage. It was fantastic to get up close and personal to some of my favourite aircraft.”
Cruise Lake Te Anau aboard historic yacht Faith, walk to the Hidden Lakes, enjoy tea and mountain views on a relaxed Fiordland outing.
“This was a great surprise! Thoroughly enjoyed the great 5 star service and knowledge of the lake George and Adam are a great duo! Don’t miss out on this wonderful expedition Vincent from Sydney”
Explore Dunedin’s dark past, Baldwin Street, the railway station, Luna lunch, and Larnach Castle on a small-group tour with Gregor.
“Gregor what's a fantastic guide and I had a marvelous experience. I was treated superbly it would be happy to do another guided Journey with him. The City Sites were amazing and lunch time was a real joy.”
Explore a 19th-century gold-rush village near Greymouth with a rainforest steam train, gold panning, sawmill, caves, and flexible entry.
“Train ride n gold panning n great food n cafe excellent staff great location .kids thoroughly enjoyed it”
Explore Auckland’s historic Vulcan Lane bars with guide Darcy, tasting boutique brews, wine, cider, and non-alcoholic drinks for $30.
“We had such a great time with Darcy! The choices of bars really went well with the history timeline and his stories were well presented (hey hey hey!). I would recommend this tour as the guide, the bars and the beers were all top notch.”
Cruise Lake Te Anau aboard 1935 yacht Faith with champagne, canapés, sailing, local stories, and a quiet sunset cove.
“This was amazing! The boat is super cool and the owners give a good history about the boat. The lake is beautiful and the boat is smooth. I highly recommend booking this tour!!”
Explore Dunedin’s grand railway station, Māori-settler history, dark tales, and old pubs on a lively 1.5 to 2-hour city walk.
“Gregor, our guide showed up just over 20 minutes late and he did not apologize. We did receive an email but received that after he was already 18 minutes late. For me, this started the tour off in a very bad way. The information give by Gregor was very good; however, the tour was just an hour and 10 minutes. The tour was advertised as 1 hour, 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.). Seems like our tour was cut short since he was late and had another tour scheduled immediately after ours. Refund?”
Explore Waiheke through Māori history, native bush, beaches, archaeology, and local food on a small-group six-hour tour from Matiatia.
“Best part of my Auckland was my tour of Waiheke Island! Loved the art coastline hike, visit to Piritahi Marae, picnic at Oneroa Beach, wine tasting at Mudbrick, olive oil tasting at AllPress and shopping. We did a hike at Whakanewha Park, sRead more”
Review of Dunedin’s private city and Otago Peninsula tour, with heritage sights, albatross viewing, flexible stops, and practical booking advice.
“This is the absolute best way to see all of Dunedin. The guides who work for Fan Feather are excellent”
Pick an island, a lake or a cave.
