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Walks and waterfalls: Cruise Ship Tours like no other!

Walks and waterfalls: Cruise Ship Tours like no other!

Tourism is by no means restricted to gift shopping and restaurant hunting. There are those of us who enjoy a gorgeous scenic nature walk more thoroughly than a cafe or a keychain. Fortunately, our amazing tours from Auckland and Tauranga feature a range of nature walks ranging in difficulty to suit your preferences perfectly. 

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It takes a traveller to know and help a traveller

It takes a traveller to know and help a traveller

Being seasoned travellers themselves, Terry and Carolyn Kelliher – the proud owners of Custom Day Tours – understand the ins and outs of New Zealand cruise ship tours. That’s why, when pulling into the port of Tauranga or completing cruise tours from Auckland, we know how to make the most of your ‘land time’ while enjoying your limited our gorgeous country. New Zealand is a stunning place, and we’re fortunate to be small enough to accommodate lots of lovely locations and experiences that can be visited and enjoyed within the space of one day.

Unfortunately for most travellers, a combination of unfamiliarity with the area and our nation’s notoriously slow public transport mean that tourists can’t travel to as many locations as we know they could and should.

We’ve combined our knowledge of cruise ship tours with our local expertise to offer you the best possible experience during your limited time in the North Island.

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Things to do at the Port of Tauranga

Things to do at the Port of Tauranga

Most cruise ship tours don’t actually include a land tour in their itinerary. You’ll arrive in the port of Tauranga and, most likely, have no idea what wondrous adventures await you beyond the sweet little seaside city – some adventures are less than an hour’s drive away! While the port of Tauranga might prove to be a pretty seaside walk, we think that geysers, redwoods, glow worm caves and waterfalls might be more enticing for you. 

If visually stunning Tauranga tours are what you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ll be there to meet you

“She was at the port to pick us up at the gate, settled us into a very comfortable mini-bus and then took us off on an informative tour of the area…”

– Beryl P from Blue Mountains, Australia.

Nothing says ‘welcome to your Tauranga private tour’ quite like a smiling face and a comfortable minivan waiting patiently for you at the port of Tauranga. Your friendly Tauranga private tour guide will be there to greet you as you step off your cruise ship. We’ll keep you hydrated with complimentary fresh water bottles and lovely cool airconditioning. If your cruise ship tour has caused you to work up an appetite, then we’ll prioritise a tasty meal for you – we know all the best places to go for delicious kai (food). 

So much to see! 

“We recently had the good fortune to book a Tauranga/Rotorua tour with Custom Day Tours NZ. We were promptly picked up at the cruise port in Tauranga. Slowly driven through beautiful Tauranga to experience the town and seashore. Off to Rotorua to view the geothermal geysers as well as the wonderful Maori culture. Attended a performance there as well. Went to see giant Trees and Glowworm caves and much more. 

Terry was our superb guide. We really enjoyed our day. The affordable tour cost included all entrance fees. We can highly recommend this tour company.”

– Ursula W from El Paso, Texas.

So, what are you in the mood for? Will it be glow worm cave adventure or a tour of Tauranga’s local waterfalls? Shall we venture through the redwoods or witness as wonderous geysers erupt before our eyes? How about all of the above? Anything and everything is possible with our private Tauranga shore tours. Before you set sail, we’ll discuss your custom cruise ship tour online and work out exactly where you’d like to go in the Bay of Plenty. Let us know what you’d like more or less of, or if you’d just like to be surprised. Whatever your preference, our friendly guides are guaranteed to show you a wonderful time here in the beautiful Bay of Plenty.

One private day tour, three fantastic caves

One private day tour, three fantastic caves

Folks travel from all corners of the earth to explore our gorgeous country. Many come specifically for our magical Waitomo glow worm caves; a setting where you feel as though you’re moving through starlight above and below you. There are, however, a total of three outstandingly beautiful neighbouring caves to explore in the Waitomo area – three caves, each offering a unique scenic experience for you to appreciate. Why stop at one cave? With Custom Day Tours, your Waitomo caves tour can be triple the fun!

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Living like a local: why you ought to try our Tauranga day tours

Living like a local: why you ought to try our Tauranga day tours

Planning to treat yourself to a Tauranga day tour while your cruise ship parks in or sparkling port? At Custom Day Tours, we’ll ensure you enjoy every minute of your Bay of Plenty adventures. You won’t need to worry about a thing – we’ll whisk you away for unforgettable views and delicious foods, wonderful walks and impressive performances. Whatever your desires, we’ll be sure to accommodate. 

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Get Ready for Rotorua Redwood Reverie

Get Ready for Rotorua Redwood Reverie

There’s a good reason why we like to guide our visitors through the Rotorua Redwoods as they enjoy their Bay of Plenty cruise tour. Loved by tourists and locals alike, the redwoods are a truly magical escape. Even a few metres away from the carpark, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported into a Narnian woodland where an epic Fantasy awaits around every gargantuan tree trunk.

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Escape reality with a trip to Hobbiton: Our Hobbiton Tours

Escape reality with a trip to Hobbiton: Our Hobbiton Tours

It doesn’t matter if you’re an avid Lord of The Rings fan or you’ve never read the books or seen the films in your life – no matter who you are or where you come from, you’re going to love Hobbiton. Hobbiton is one of our favourite Bay of Plenty tours – an experience not to be missed.

Enjoy sweeping views of New Zealand farmland that look as though they’ve been plucked from a postcard. Stop for countless charming photo-opportunities – the friendly Hobbiton team are more than happy to take your camera for you and snap your family photos.

There’s just so much to love about Hobbiton tours. Here’s what one of our fans had to say about their Hobbiton tours experience:

“Be sure to take children with you on this trip as their delight will add to your pleasure. Incredible for memorial photos, Hobbiton is manicured to perfection.”

– Heather McMillan

An authentic escape from reality

Step into a world fueled by pure fantasy, where passionate people will whirl you around the hills of Hobbiton. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped through a portal into the pages of The Hobbit or The Fellowship of The Ring. When the Hobbiton bus collects you from the cafe and welcome area, it’ll drive you up into the hills of Hobbiton. Somewhere along that short trip, you’ll feel as though you’ve left the modern world behind and traded it for a real-life fairy tale.

Whether you’re snapping photos for friends and family back home or you’re simply admiring the view, Hobbiton is nothing short of special. Prioritise this amazing experience when you book your next Tauranga day tour.

Perfect for a winter getaway

While bush and beach walks might be a bit miserable and muddy in the rain, there’s one place to wander where you’ll be free to enjoy gorgeous natural beauty up close without needing a pair of tramping boots! With its expertly manicured sets and scenery, Hobbiton is the perfect place to spend a chilly (and even wet) winter’s day outdoors.

At the end of your wonderful outdoor experience, you’ll be invited to enjoy the cosiest of settings for a drink. Hot and cold drinks will be on offer to you, and you’ll be free to sip them by a roaring fire at the Green Dragon Pub. Think dark wood and earthy textures of brown leather and parchment paper – the decor will have you feeling as though you dove straight into a Tolkien tome! Cosy up beside the fire in a leather armchair and sip your complimentary beverage while reflecting on the truly beautiful sights you’ve seen.

Quality private tours with a cosy family feel

Quality private tours with a cosy family feel

Many of the tourists we meet here at Custom Day Tours have travelled impressively far to visit our cosy corner of the world. While the general attitudes that New Zealanders have toward tourists are welcoming and neighbourly, we understand that it can still be challenging for you to make cultural adjustments when you first set foot on our shores. There’s a lot to see, and there are plenty of opportunities for wonderful memories to be made.

However, if you’re not feeling totally comfortable with the unfamiliarity of it all, you might be reluctant to experience some of the wonderful places, sights and foods we have in store for you. You might instead be more inclined to stay on your cruise ship, or close to the dock in case you get lost.

With our custom day tours from Tauranga, you needn’t endure such an unimpressive holiday. We’re here to help you have an unforgettable time that’s tailored to suit you and your travelling party’s needs perfectly. With a welcoming, family-like atmosphere and an easy-going, well-organised plan, you’ll be made to feel comfortable and cared for while freely enjoying all that our country has to offer.

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Escape to the Coromandel for a day

Escape to the Coromandel for a day

Breathtakingly beautiful any time of year, the Coromandel is an absolute must-see. Worthy of a unique Auckland highlight tour unto itself, you’d be wise to put a visit to the Coromandel at the top of your North Island ‘to do’ list. Sweeping coastal vistas, soft sandy white beaches and elegant rock formations make this a photographer’s paradise. There are plenty of truly outstanding walks that are absolutely soaked in seaside sights. Spot native New Zealand birds, not-so-far-away islands, stunning sunsets and the world-famous Cathedral Cove!

It’s all here in the Coromandel, and it’s only a day trip away for anyone looking into cruise tours from Auckland.

Here’s what we’ll offer you in our amazing tour from Auckland to the Coromandel…

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Stretch your legs with a scenic walk

Stretch your legs with a scenic walk

There’s nothing quite like a lovely long walk after being a little cooped up on a cruise ship. Cruise ship tours are a delight, but us land-lovers tend to appreciate a change of terrain. Fortunately, the Bay of Plenty region has a myriad of marvellously unique locations to see and explore. Whether you like to scale mountains or scuttle through caves, stroll along beaches or soak up the sight of a waterfall, our expert walking tour guides have the perfect bay of plenty tour for you!

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39 Summerland Crescent
Papamoa Beach 3118
Tauranga
 
Call us: +64 (07) 542 0267
info@customdaytours.co.nz

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