- 6.5 hours Duration 6.5 hours
- 4+ Ages 4+
Made famous by the Lord of the Rings movies, this area of New Zealand outside the port of Tauranga holds beauty and serenity amongst the rolling green hills.
Quick Details
Experience the Geothermal Wonderland of Rotorua
The explosive origins of New Zealand are on full display on this exploration of the unique geothermal pools in Rotorua, just over an hour’s drive from Tauranga. Geysers, warm springs, boiling mud pools and a rich Maori history combine to form an unforgettable tour. Get ready for a full-value, authentically New Zealand experience.
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Mount Maunganui & Kiwifruit Country
We begin from port with an amazing view of Mt. Maunganui, the extinct volcanic cone rising above town, surrounded by turquoise waters and white sand beaches. As we hit the road south, we pass through Te Puke, where we stop briefly to enjoy the famously cultivated kiwifruit in this region at orchard Kiwi Country.Before arriving in Rotorua, we take a short stroll to view the crystal clear water and native flora surrounding the Okere Falls. Your guide tells the local tales of this area while you watch the kayakers, rafters and other adventure seekers enjoy the falls’ white water rapids.
Lake Rotorua
Rotorua’s natural assets are well known; its fiery past has significantly transformed the area we see on our next stop. In 1886, the 8th wonder of the world, the ‘pink and white terraces’, were destroyed when Mount Tarawera erupted. Imagine this display as we position you with great views of this mountain when we arrive at the picturesque Lake Rotorua. Enjoy lunch (not included) with a stunning view.Whakawerawera – The Living Maori Village
Fully energized post-lunch, your memorable cultural experience begins as we meet the people of Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao in the Whakawerawera Village. You are escorted by a member of the Maori village and learn how they use the geothermal activity, rich in this area, in their everyday life. Get a glimpse into this authentic living Maori village, an opportunity to mingle with the community and learn about their history and legends.Your local guide then shows you around the geothermal field with an up-close view of the awesome natural geysers on display. In particular, the main geyser in this area, the Pohutu geyser (meaning ‘big splash’ or ‘explosion), truly lives up to its name as it spurts up to twenty times per day and the explosive hot waters can reach heights of up to 30 metres (100 feet).
To round out your cultural experience, a traditional Maori cultural concert is performed at the end of this village tour.
Rotorua City and Return
After visiting Whakawerawera Village, our tour takes you through Rotorua city, the heart of the North Island.Highlights in this city include the magnificent Government Gardens with Rachel’s pool, a historic alkaline hot spring located here. In addition, we visit the historic bathhouse and Polynesian Spa before we head back via the harbour bridge to Mt. Maunganui.