Whakarewarewa

Experience the warmth of our Legacy Guided Tours through New Zealand’s iconic Maori village. Our village guides are direct descendants of the early Māori guides who’s legacy shaped tourism in New Zealand for generations. Their insights, knowledge and legendary hospitality (manaakitanga) adds depth and richness to the experience you’ll have at Whakarewarewa.

A day of excitement, culture, kai and connection… For generations, Te Puia has welcomed manuhiri (visitors) from all over the world to explore the magic hidden within Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. Our 90 minute guided tour will bring you face to face with the biggest, naturally active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere Pōhutu Geyser, and enjoy the up-close experience with the New Zealand Kiwi, in our brand-new Kiwi Conservation Centre. Be mesmerized by exploding mud pools all throughout the valley and gaze at beautifully crafted Māori-made artwork and sculptures visible throughout Te Puia. Watch carvers and weavers demonstrate their skills at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, and hear our guides share stories passed down from their ancestors. Our wānanga (school) is a lighthouse for indigenous culture, worldwide. We are honoured to open the doors to our wānanga and show you the work of internationally recognised artists.

Call 0800 737768 for weekend bookings. Secret Spot Hot Tubs is a stone’s throw from Rotorua, hidden in the heart of New Zealand’s mountain biking mecca, the Waipa Valley. Discover your own secret spot in the stunning Whakarewarewa Forest after your day’s adventures. You’ll find a place with great atmosphere and a warm welcome, where everything is beautifully handcrafted, from the western red cedar hot tubs to the craft beer and artisan coffee! Secret Spot has 12 hot tubs that are situated along the edge of the forest, overlooking the Puarenga Stream, and each hot tub is perfect for any group of friends or family up to 6 people. You can also explore our unique café and bar set in a forest oasis with native plantings – we have smooth manuka-roasted coffee, Good George craft beer and cider, and Mills Reef wine. Have a bite to eat, play lawn games and enjoy our outdoor campfires, or unwind with a Shinny Dip foot hot tub, free with any drinks purchase.

***ALL OUR TOURS START & END TO FIT THE CRUISE SHIPS' ARRIVAL & SAILING TIMES*** Rotorua is the 2nd most visited city in New Zealand by all tourists. As you only have a small window of opportunity to visit we have created an itinerary to showcase some of what we think makes this place so special. The two main interests which make people visit is Maori Culture & Geothermal Activity. This tour showcases the area where your ship is docked (Mount Maunganui) before we depart for the city of Rotorua. Enroute we showcase all which creates the namesake of the Bay of Plenty. Arriving at Rotorua's only Living Maori Village of its kind – Whakarewarewa – you will receive a traditional welcome and invited by a local to join them on a guided tour of this unique place. A village which lives on top of an active geothermal valley and has learnt to harness the powers of mother nature to aid their daily living needs for 100's of year. See geysers, steaming fumaroles , bubbling hot pools and much more.

Visit Te Puia home of the famous Pohutu Geyser. The largest geyser in the southern hemisphere. Your guide will take you on a tour of the natural bush, geysers and mud pools with a remarkable walk along the Te Whakarewarewa geyser terrace.

Standard tour times 10:00am – 4:00pm (we will confirm with you prior). On arrival into Port of Tauranga, a day of sightseeing, story telling & cultural connection awaits… ​ Bound for Rotorua (appx 1.5hr), enjoy an array of our all inclusive snacks & bottled water, sit back and take in the many beautiful scenic views. We begin with a visit to the Government Gardens, you'll see the Whangapipiro Rachel Pool known for its therapeutic water. Come face to face with the big Californian Redwoods at Whakarewarewa Forest, over 55,000 hectares. Take a walk at Kuirau Park, discover hissing, roaring & bubbling geothermal activity. Take off your shoes & enjoy a warm foot spa in one of the foot pools (towels provided). Next stop Lake Tarawera, meaning burnt spear, one of the largest lakes in New Zealand. Time permitting, we may stop at Te Puia for souvenir shopping. On our journey back to your ship, sit back and enjoy the memories you made while you were exploring “our backyard”.

ALL OUR TOURS HAVE FLEXIBLE START / END TIMES TO MEET SHIP ARRIVAL & SAILING TIMES. From port of Tauranga, taking a shore excursion to Rotorua will give you great insights into New Zealand's rich Maori culture. You will get up close to amazing geothermal hot springs, steamiing fumaroles and bubbling mudpools. You will discover Rotorua's natural thermal phenomena of Geyers and boiling mud. Your Immerse yourself into Te Puia Maori Cultural Centre – the most pristine attraction of its kind in New Zealand – which gives you the WoW factor. You will enjoy a fascinating cultural display including the Haka (war dance). You will get to travel through the North Island’s spectacular countryside of rolling farmland and forestry, alongside Kiwifruit orchards and bathe your feet in pure warm mineral waters which come up from under the ground. There really is something for everybody in this excursion. Much moire than I cna put into words – it is a "must do" excursion to appreciate it all.

Choose FlexiToursNZ for a premium tour. We put less seats in our vehicles than factory standard and only 3 seats in the back row. Pay a little more to be comfortable. This tour involves a lot of driving and is more enjoyable if you are comfortable and not crushed up against other people on the vehicle. We keep the groups small with no more than 12 people on our vehicle, meaning our drivers can and will give you, personal service. Check out our reviews to see what customers say about us, our vehicles and our team of experienced and enthusiastic drivers. All meals provided on the tour are prepared in a professional kitchen and are normally served in a restaurant or café. Very occasionally Meals may be served picnic style Due to low numbers and sustained losses caused by Covid 19, until further notice we will need a minimum of 4 people (or price equivalent) to run tours.

Visit an authentic Living Maori Village deep in the geothermal region of Rotorua on this full-day excursion including a light lunch of a hangi pie, salad and corn. Tour with a local Maori guide and learn about how the villagers have adapted to the harsh geothermal environment. You tour will also include visits to the famous Government Gardens and Rotorua Lake. This is a small group tour with a group size usually up to 18 persons. Please note that the ticket sent to you by Viator/TripAdvisor will show the standard tour departure time. As the ships arrival time in port varies so much, we adjust the start and end times each day to suit the ships time in port. When your booking is accepted by us, we will confirm the true start time for the day, which overrides the time printed on your voucher. We use the correct times for the ship which we take from the Port of Tauranga web site.

Voted our most popular Tour – This tour is perfect for people wanting a full day sightseeing this diverse landscape including Mt Maunganui, NZ Kiwi and farming country, the Rotorua 8 lakes, with a focus on the geothermal area of Whakarewarewa village. Enjoy a brief concert here emphasising the rich Maori culture with song, dance and stories. On the way to Rotorua, marvel at beautiful beaches and multimillion dollar homes, before a 45 minute drive from the coast slowly ascending up the central plateau, through Kiwifruit plantations (we plan to stop so you can see these vines in full foilage/fruit) and typical NZ pastoral farmland to our furthest inland destination, Rotorua. Take in the most popular sites of interest – Blue & Green lakes, view Mt Tarawera (erupted 1886) across the most gorgeous lake, walk through NZ native bush full of ferns and tall podocarps like an 1800's pioneer or Maori warrior. visit the mud pools of Kuirau Park, take a peek at the geysers (incl. famous Pohutu)

Enjoy a 4-hour self-guided mountain bike ride through Rotorua’s spectacular Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest, located just 5-minutes from the city centre. With over 160 kilometers of twisting and turning mountain bike trails it's no wonder that this has quickly become one of the top riding trail networks in the world. This world famous mountain bike forest caters for all abilities, all year round due to its vast variety of trails and mild temperate climate. Hire a bike and go for a self-guided ride.

During your day's visit to Tauranga, experience the Geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. On the way there, marvel at beautiful beaches and multimillion dollar homes, before a 45 minute drive from the coast, ascending up the central plateau, through Kiwifruit plantations and typical NZ pastoral farmland to our furthest inland destination, Rotorua. Take in the most popular sites of interest – Blue & Green lakes, view Mt Tarawera (erupted 1886) across the most gorgeous lake, walk through NZ native bush full of ferns and tall podocarps like an 1800's pioneer or Maori warrior. Take a peek at the geysers (incl. famous Pohutu) from our secret viewing spot beside the geothermal region of Whakarewarewa. We highly recommend you upgrade to our P5 tour – Geothermal Rotorua w/ Maori cultural performance, an additional USD35 each and you will be entertained by a famous Maori troupe known worldwide for their natural showmanship, and walk through a stunning steaming living geothermally active zone.

Explore The Lakes Tour – 9am to 1pm By far the best lakes tour in Rotorua, small group, locations and value. With 18 lakes in the Rotorua area our Explore The Lakes Tour provides a driver-guided exploration of some of the highlights of New Zealand’s Lake District: Hamurana springs, the largest fresh water spring in the North island. Okere falls and Tutea falls with Native forest walk. lake Rotoiti, the Blue and Green lakes and lake Tarawera. Explore our favourite scenic spots and natural springs on foot. Take photographs at your leisure and learn about Rotorua’s colourful culture and history from our knowledgeable and friendly guide. • Highlights • Small group, relaxed atmosphere. •  Informative, outgoing driver-guide. • Breath-taking scenery. • No queues . • Half day tour.

A seven day independent tour exploring some of the best locations in New Zealand. This tour departs Auckland daily with six nights 4 – 4.5 star accommodation including two nights in Rotorua, one night in Wellington, one night in Kaikoura and two nights in Christchurch before concluding in Queenstown. Activities include city sights in Christchurch, whale watching in Kaikoura, travel on the Coastal Pacific Train (October – April) and Interislander Ferry, plus admission and guided tours of Whakarewarewa and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Embark on a truly special journey with our Te Puia and Polynesian Spa tour from Auckland. Departing the city, we'll explore Rotorua's serene landscapes, home to the renowned Te Puia where you get to explore the magic hidden within the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley This exhilarating experience extends out by offering a leading cultural performance in their beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It will include a Pōhiri (Traditional Māori Welcome), Waiata (Song), Mōteatea (traditional chant), Poi and Haka. Then, unwind at the Polynesian Spa, surrounded by natural beauty and Lake Rotorua. Experience the therapeutic benefits of rejuvenating thermal waters amid picturesque surroundings. With our knowledgeable guides illuminating indigenous culture and natural heritage, this tour promises a truly memorable adventure. Sit back and relax on a comfortable return journey from Auckland to Rotorua and enjoy a cultural and wellness experience unlike any other.

Ideal trip to visit Nature & Natural Places in NZ like forest, water fall and natural spring. *Blue spring: A dedicated walking track, allows visitors to explore the area and admire the beautiful, natural scenery. The water is highly prized for its purity, and it has been identified as one of the cleanest water sources in NZ. *Visit one of New Zealand's most famous natural attraction Huka Falls known for their stunning beauty and powerful water flow approximately 220,000 liters of water flow over the falls every second Huka Falls is not a very tall waterfall—at just 11 meters (36 feet) in height but the powerful flow of water and the dramatic surroundings make it one of the most striking falls in the country. *Redwood Forest: A short easy-moderate walk takes you among the towering redwoods & allows you to fully appreciate their immense size and grandeur. It’s a unique way to experience the forest and enjoy the peaceful environment while being surrounded by the trees.

An independent four-day tour package departing Wellington daily with three nights 4 to 4.5 star accommodation in Rotorua and Auckland. Visit Whakarewarewa, with its impressive geysers, bubbling mud pools, and cultural Maori performances, Visit the famous Hobbiton Movie Set for a fully guided tour of this unique attraction as well as a boat tour through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where hundreds of tiny glowworms lights guide the way. Finally, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Auckland on the final day. Hotel pick-ups and drop-offs are included for all transfers and activities listed.

Embark on an exceptional journey with our Whakarewarewa Māori Village and Polynesian Spa tour from Auckland. Departing the city, we'll explore Rotorua's serene landscapes, home to the renowned Whakarewarewa Māori Village. Marvel at the beauty of Rotorua's silica formations, witness geothermal wonders, and take in panoramic views of geysers and boiling hot pools. Immerse yourself in authentic Māori culture as locals share insights into life and customs in this living village. Then, unwind at the Polynesian Spa, surrounded by natural beauty and Lake Rotorua. Experience the therapeutic benefits of rejuvenating thermal waters amid picturesque surroundings. With our knowledgeable guides illuminating indigenous culture and natural heritage, this tour promises a truly memorable adventure. Sit back and relax on a comfortable return journey from Auckland to Rotorua and enjoy a cultural and wellness experience unlike any other.

Visit the top two destinations in New Zealand in one amazing day trip! Experience the real Middle-earth in a 2.5 hour fully guided tour inside the Hobbiton Movie Set, take photo's inside The Hobbit Holes & taste the locally brewed cider or beer in The Green Dragon Inn. Then head to Rotorua where you will visit Te Puia & Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, where you'll come face to face with the largest Geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, jumping mudpools, and live kiwi birds, and hear our Maori guides share stories passed down from their ancestors.

Standard tour times 10:00am – 4:00pm (we will confirm with you prior). View the geothermal wonders of Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley including the world-famous Pōhutu geyser, boiling mud-pools, steam vents and bubbling pools.