Rotorua

Just one hour from Tauranga City, Rotorua is the heart of Maori culture and a geothermal wonderland. With its thermal springs, boiling mud pools, steaming fissures and geysers, Rotorua, nestled among crater lakes of crystalline colour and clarity is a 'must see'!

Here in Rotorua, you can experience indigenous culture with a Maori Welcome and concert. You can also see traditional Maori crafts such as flax-weaving and wood-carving which have been passed on through the generations at Rotorua's Te Puia, Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. If seeing a real life kiwi (bird) is on your New Zealand bucket list, Rotorua is the place to tick that off too.

For the adventurous, enjoy the adrenaline rush of some of Rotorua's exciting activities available with whitewater rafting, the swoop, the luge, and the freefall, to mention but a few.

For a relaxing time in Rotorua, you can't go past a soak in the waters of the Polynesian Pools. Take a trip back in time at the Bathhouse or if visiting a working farm is high on your agenda, view the world famous Sheep Show at The Agrodome.

Below are several Rotorua tour options that Tauranga Tasting Tours and Charters offer:

Rotorua Day Tours

Option 1: Rotorua Cultural and Geothermal Experience (full day)

Travel from ship-side, over the harbour bridge & through Tauranga's CBD, before leaving the city & travelling through scenic countryside en route for Rotorua. After proceeding to Te Puia, the Maori Cultural Centre, clients are given a tour of the old pa site, through the thermal grounds (of boiling mud, geysers etc) & shown the wood-carving/flax-weaving school. This is followed by a.Maori Welcome and concert. On leaving Te Puia we travel through Rotorua's CBD, stopping at Eat Street for lunch (at client's cost). We then travel to the lakefront, through The Government Gardens, stopping at Rotorua Museum, the Historic Bathhouse, to explain the history of this fine old building. We return to Tauranga via a different route, which provides clients the opportunity to view different scenery.. En route we stop at a kiwifruit orchard, where the kiwifruit industry is explained, from planting to edible fruit. To end the tour, we travel along our beautiful waterfront & beach, before returning to ship-side or your accommodation. While travelling, your driver/guide for the tour will give a commnentary explaing points of interest.

COST:

EXCLUSIVE TOUR (1-4 people) - $1590.00

GROUP TOUR ( Up to 10 pax- $2635.00

sheldon g

Hollywood, Florida

Review of:Shore ExcursionRotorua Cultural and Geothermal Experience from Tauranga

The Rotorua Cultural and Geothermal Experience tour was a lot of fun. Seeing geysers, boiling lakes and a Maori cultural village with a very entertaining show were interesting and fun. Paul, our tour guide was very helpful, and extremely informative. For someone who has only a brief time to spend in the Tauranga area, this tour provides an excellent overview of the New Zealand native culture, and its unique topography.

Date of experience: January

Option 2: Transport Only (Exclusive)

For groups that want a bit more flexibility, we have a transport only tour with clients choosing venues and activities in Rotorua.

Popular attractions include Skyline Gondola and Luge, The Agrodome Farm Show, Polynesian Spa, Redwoods Tree Walk, the Schweeb at Velocity Valley, a mud bath at Hell's Gate, Volcanic Hills Winery, Te Puia Maori Cultural Centre, whakarewarewa and the Buried Village.

We recommend choosing 1 or 2 activities with time to briefly explore Rotorua city highlights before returning to Tauranga.

Allow minimum 5 hours.

Inclusions 14 seater bus and driver

Cost $900.00 Total

We suggest you look at www.skyline.co.nz, https://velocitycity.co.nz, www.riverrats.co.nz as examples of activities you can do.

To book a transport only, fill in our form on our contact us page.

Option 3

LOCAL TASTING TOUR

The Local Tasting Tour begins at a boutique brewery, where a range of ntural beer is tasted. A light lunch is enjoyed at one of Tauranga's top resataurnts, The White House before proceedin to The Wine Portfolio, for tastings from two award-winning ( Mills Reef & Leveret Estate) winery's products.The day finishes with a cocktail & dessert at the Trinity Wharf Hotel, overlooking our beautiful harbour. Pick up can be from the Port of Tauranga or local accommodation.

Clients must be 18 yrs old

Details at: