/
New Zealand
/
Tauranga
/
Tours & Activities
/
Full-Day Small-Group Rotorua Shore Excursion From Tauranga
6 h
Small Group
Full Day
Instant confirmation
About this activity
After meeting your friendly tour guide at the Port of Tauranga gates, your tour begins with a gentle drive past Mount Maunganui and along the coast showcasing the stunning white sandy beaches as you are told a little about the region and its history. Hear Maori legends and learn why the area was named the Bay of Plenty.
Stopping at a Kiwi fruit orchard, you have a chance to view the vines and taste the green and gold kiwi fruit and juices. Learn about the significance of the kiwi fruit to the region. After this it’s back on the road as we wind our way through the rolling countryside past the dense pine forest plantations to arrive at the geothermal heart of New Zealand, Rotorua. The next stop is a visit to the Redwood Forest where you'll take a walk among these impressive trees. There are also great examples of the unique Silver Fern of New Zealand.
Rotorua has a staggering 18 lakes and you will see several of them on this tour. All the Rotorua lakes are craters, calderas or valleys blocked by lava flows and they are usually nestled among steep green hills of native vegetation and are indeed spectacular. Sulphur Bay on Lake Rotorua is stunning in its own barren way. This is a unique ecological area where the birds and vegetation have adapted to the acidic conditions. Talk about why the waters are so milky and how geysers and boiling mud pools evolve. You may even see some boiling hot spots on the water’s edge and marvel at how the wildlife survives.
Take a detour to the Government Gardens. This area was gifted to the New Zealand Government by the local Maori tribe the Te Arawa for "the benefit of the people of the world". The impressive Elizabethan style building dominating the grounds was the first investment by the NZ Government in tourism. It has gone from being a health spa facility being a museum. Your guide will point out some of the features of the gardens and stop for photos among the impressive flowerbeds.
Visit the town "hot spot", Kuirau Park and get up close to some active geothermal features. See bubbling mud pools, steaming lakes and crystal clear boiling hot springs. There is even time for a relaxing foot soak in a thermal mineral pool heated with hot spring water right there at the source! You will be amazed at how soft and silky your feet will feel afterwards.
Travel back to Tauranga via steep sided gorges with great examples of NZ lowland forest. After a great day out, be taken back at the port in plenty of time to board your ship with lots of great memories and photos to remember your day.
Read more
Show less
Stopping at a Kiwi fruit orchard, you have a chance to view the vines and taste the green and gold kiwi fruit and juices. Learn about the significance of the kiwi fruit to the region. After this it’s back on the road as we wind our way through the rolling countryside past the dense pine forest plantations to arrive at the geothermal heart of New Zealand, Rotorua. The next stop is a visit to the Redwood Forest where you'll take a walk among these impressive trees. There are also great examples of the unique Silver Fern of New Zealand.
Rotorua has a staggering 18 lakes and you will see several of them on this tour. All the Rotorua lakes are craters, calderas or valleys blocked by lava flows and they are usually nestled among steep green hills of native vegetation and are indeed spectacular. Sulphur Bay on Lake Rotorua is stunning in its own barren way. This is a unique ecological area where the birds and vegetation have adapted to the acidic conditions. Talk about why the waters are so milky and how geysers and boiling mud pools evolve. You may even see some boiling hot spots on the water’s edge and marvel at how the wildlife survives.
Take a detour to the Government Gardens. This area was gifted to the New Zealand Government by the local Maori tribe the Te Arawa for "the benefit of the people of the world". The impressive Elizabethan style building dominating the grounds was the first investment by the NZ Government in tourism. It has gone from being a health spa facility being a museum. Your guide will point out some of the features of the gardens and stop for photos among the impressive flowerbeds.
Visit the town "hot spot", Kuirau Park and get up close to some active geothermal features. See bubbling mud pools, steaming lakes and crystal clear boiling hot springs. There is even time for a relaxing foot soak in a thermal mineral pool heated with hot spring water right there at the source! You will be amazed at how soft and silky your feet will feel afterwards.
Travel back to Tauranga via steep sided gorges with great examples of NZ lowland forest. After a great day out, be taken back at the port in plenty of time to board your ship with lots of great memories and photos to remember your day.
Included
- Experienced professional guide
- Fully Guided Tour with commentary
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Comfortable air-conditioned transport
- Entry/Admission - Kuirau Park
- Entry/Admission - Sulphur Point
- Entry/Admission - Okere Falls Track
Not included
- Lunch
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Family friendly tour
- Tour departure time may change due to early and/or late ship arrivals and departures
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately. We suggest layers with hats and sunscreen
- You must provide your own infant/baby seat if required.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
60%
Aquatic
40%
Original
20%
Reviews
Similar activities in Tauranga
Click to discover other experiences
the trip was very nice ,the van had 15 seat, full ,but the back seat not enough room for 4 people very small,even i 'm small women
We booked prior to our cruise. Picked up at stop by Gary who made sure we saw everything he could fit in to the time. Great sights and great commentary. Highly recommended for value and sights.
We had a marvellous, interest packed day thanks to our driver guide, Kathryn who was very interesting and factual and went out of her way to ensure that everyone was included and assisted. I would recommend Viator as a great way to see destinations from the cruise port as a great deal was covered in a relatively short time. Very much appreciated.
If you want a flavor of the best of Rotorua, this is the right tour for you. We started with a ride by the coast to learn about the plant life and animals that occupy the beach. Then we stopped to learn about New Zealand honey before a ride to Rotorua. We stopped at a lake and could touch and see a crystal clear stream feeding the lake. Then a short ride latter, we were at the amazing hot springs and mud pots. We got to soak our feet in a hot spring, relax and get to know our fellow travelers. We took a break for lunch and then off to viewing the hill side of silver sword ferns, to seeing the lakes in the area and even walking through a redwood forest. This tour is a great way to see and learn about New Zealand.
Our guide was very informative. The tour was well organized. Even though the rain came in the second half of the tour, I still enjoyed it. I like the kiwi farm tour.
Great in most areas. Picked up from the wharf by friendly bus driver and commentator. The stop at the Kiwi Fruit farm- excellent- informative and well comentated by driver. Then onto Rotarua...Was a little disappointing with 3 main stops but walk through bubbling mud and to foot baths was OK. Rest was informative etc