August Tour Specials – Auckland Adventures on Sale

Missed out on our August specials? You can check out of current specials at any time here : Current Tour Specials

Kia ora! As a friendly Auckland local, I’m excited to share some awesome tour deals happening this August. Winter’s end is a fantastic time to explore – the crowds are thinner, and a bunch of top tours are on special (meaning you can save some serious cash). From Middle-earth magic to glowworm caves, Māori culture, and a Bay of Islands getaway, here are this month’s highlighted tours and why they’re worth checking out.

Middle‑earth Adventures (Hobbiton Deals)

If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan (or just love idyllic countryside), several Hobbiton Movie Set tours from Auckland are discounted this August.

These small-group day trips whisk you down to Matamata to roam the actual film set – a 12-acre Shire filled with charming hobbit holes and gardens. You’ll get a guided walking tour of all the famous spots like Bag End and the Green Dragon Inn, where you can enjoy a Southfarthing ale just like a Hobbit. (Fun fact: the Hobbiton set was originally built in 1999 for the LOTR films, then permanently rebuilt for The Hobbit trilogy, so visitors can wander the Shire exactly as seen on screen.)

With the current specials, some tours are nearly 20% off their usual price – one is about $46 NZD off the normal rate! – making it a perfect time to indulge your inner Gandalf or Frodo.

All tours include round-trip transport from Auckland (often with hotel pickup) and a friendly guide to share insider stories.

As a local, I can say the rolling green hills of Hobbiton are a must-see, and it’s even sweeter when you’re saving money.

Glowworm Cave Expeditions (Waitomo Deals)

For nature lovers, Waitomo is another highlight – and August has some great deals on Waitomo cave tours.

These tours take you to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where you’ll descend into an otherworldly underground realm. Imagine floating quietly on a boat through a pitch-black grotto, with the cave ceiling lit up by thousands of bioluminescent glowworms. The glowworms (species Arachnocampa luminosa) are actually unique to New Zealand, making Waitomo a truly one-of-a-kind experience. In fact, people have been coming to Waitomo to see this natural magic for well over a century – guided tours began here back in 1889.

Several Waitomo tours are on special this month:

One small-group “Cave Explorer” tour focuses on the glowworms, including a 3-hour guided Spellbound cave experience and even a café lunch stop in a local village.

Another special combo tour is a private full-day adventure that not only covers the Waitomo Glowworm Cave but also adds a couple of unique extras: a visit to Zealong Tea Estate and the Otorohanga Kiwi House. Zealong is New Zealand’s only commercial tea plantation – you’ll tour the beautiful estate and enjoy a tea tasting (perfect for tea lovers!).
At Otorohanga Kiwi House (a conservation sanctuary operating since 1971), you’ll have the rare chance to see our national bird, the kiwi, up close in a nocturnal habitat. This private tour is a fantastic way to experience nature, wildlife, and even a bit of Kiwi culture in one day – and with the August discount, it’s great value for a personalized trip.

Whichever Waitomo tour you choose, you’re in for an unforgettable day beneath the earth, marvelling at glowworms and exploring the limestone caverns. Don’t forget a warm layer for the caves – it gets cool underground even in summer!

Cultural Journey to Rotorua (Geothermal & Māori Culture)

Rotorua is the place to go if you’re curious about Māori culture and geothermal wonders, and there’s a special tour this month that covers it all.

This Rotorua day tour from Auckland takes you to Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village, where local Māori guides welcome you into their community nestled among steaming vents and mud pools. It’s a truly immersive experience: you’ll witness daily life in a Māori village set amidst bubbling mud ponds and active geysers (including the famous Pōhutu geyser, which is the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere).

Expect heartfelt cultural performances (you might see a haka or traditional songs) and insights into how the villagers use the geothermal heat for cooking and bathing. As an Aucklander, I find Rotorua’s mix of culture and nature incredible, and this tour lets you experience both with knowledgeable local hosts.

What’s cool is that this Rotorua tour is semi-customizable: after the guided village tour, you have the afternoon to choose an activity. You could unwind in the famous Polynesian Spa (soaking in warm, mineral-rich thermal pools with lake views), or head out to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to see vivid rainbow-colored hot springs and the Lady Knox geyser, or even take a walk among towering California redwoods at the Redwoods Treewalk.

The tour’s flexibility means you can tailor the day to your interests – whether you’re after relaxation or adventure. Of course, all transport from Auckland is included, and you’ll be back in the city by evening with plenty of stories (and maybe the smell of Rotorua’s sulphur still in your nose!).

Tip: There’s also a combo tour on special that might appeal if you want to see Rotorua and Waitomo in one go. It’s a long day, but you’ll visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves in the morning and then head to Te Puia in Rotorua, a geothermal park home to geysers (hello, Pōhutu!), boiling mud pools, and the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute. It even includes a chance to spot the elusive kiwi bird in Te Puia’s nocturnal kiwi house. For travelers short on time, this “two-in-one” tour is a fantastic snapshot of North Island highlights, and it’s on special in August too!

Bay of Islands Escape (3‑Day Northland Tour)

Last but not least, if you have a few days free, the Bay of Islands up north is calling – and there’s a 3-day tour from Auckland currently on special.

This is an incredible mini-vacation that bundles history, scenery, and relaxation all in one package. You’ll travel by coach from Auckland to the sunny Bay of Islands, a region known for its turquoise waters and 140+ subtropical islands.

Base camp is the seaside town of Paihia, and over three days you’ll explore the area’s highlights. On Day 1, you’ll take a ferry to Russell, a charming town that was actually New Zealand’s first colonial capital. It has a lovely old-world vibe, with 19th-century buildings and waterfront cafés lining the shore. Exploring Russell feels like stepping back in time to the early European settler days.

Day 2 includes a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, one of Aotearoa’s most important historic sites. It’s where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between Māori chiefs and the British Crown – effectively the founding document of New Zealand. You’ll see the beautifully carved Māori meeting house and the enormous waka (war canoe) on the grounds, while a local guide shares stories that bring the events of 1840 to life.

Later, you’ll hop on a scenic boat cruise around the Bay of Islands out to Cape Brett. Keep your eyes peeled for marine wildlife – this area is famous for dolphins, and you might spot them playing in the boat’s wake alongside graceful seabirds. The cruise will take you through the iconic “Hole in the Rock,” an archway in the cliff at Piercy Island and if conditions allow, the boat actually sails right through it, which is super thrilling!

You’ll have some free time as well; many folks opt for an optional day trip to Cape Reinga (the northern tip of New Zealand with its legendary lighthouse) or to simply chill out on Paihia’s golden beaches.

By Day 3, you’ll be feeling refreshed and enriched – and the tour brings you back to Auckland that afternoon. Accommodation (two nights in a hotel) and some meals are included in the package, so it’s an easy, stress-free way to see the far north. With the August special (about $120 off the regular price), this 3-day Bay of Islands tour is a steal for all the experiences it coversauckland.kiwi.

Wrap-Up: These are just a few of the August tour specials available right now, and each offers something unique – whether it’s walking in Frodo’s footsteps, drifting under glowworm galaxies, connecting with Māori culture, or cruising among island paradises.

All of these tours depart from Auckland, and many include convenient pickups, friendly guides, and that warm Kiwi hospitality. As a local guide, I highly recommend taking advantage of the winter deals and treating yourself to an adventure. After all, spring is around the corner, and what better way to beat the end-of-winter blues than by exploring our beautiful backyard at a discount? Grab these specials while they last, and happy travels! 🌟

Sources: The descriptions and facts above are based on information from Auckland.kiwi’s tour listings and attraction guides. For more details or to book, you can check out the specific tour pages on Auckland.kiwi (check out the links above). Each tour mentioned is tagged as “On Special” for August, at the time of publishing. (Enjoy your August adventures, and see you out there!)