6.5 hour Small-Group Rotorua Naturally Shore Excursion - Tauranga
Overview
Available languages
6 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Experience the unique and special natural beauty of Rotorua, the geothermal hot spot of New Zealand, just 1 hour's drive from Tauranga.
Learn about the geothermal features and its use by the Maori people, the first to settle in New Zealand over 800 years ago.
Entry is not included to the private geothermal reserves, but we do see boiling mud pools, crystal clear bubbling hot springs and volcanic lakes.
Relax at the foot bathing pools in Kuirau Park, (towels provided) after a short walk to see the bubbling mud and steaming lakes.
Whakarewarewa Village is our stop for a snack lunch, here you can take a peek at the village (entry not incl.) before our final stop, the Redwoods Forrest.
Here we take a short, guided tour through a purpose-built Glow Worm Cave, then a walk among the treetops on a network of easy-to-use rope swing bridges, with access by a gentle spiral ramp, no steps are needed.
The tour start time will be confirmed when your booking is accepted by us.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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.
The Tree Walk involves walking up a ramp to approx 20 metres above ground and then walking along up 28 swing rope bridges between the trees. It is safe and secure but good mobility is needed as there are steps in some areas.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Kuirau Park
This area of Rotorua is literally a hot bed of geothermal activity, with steaming lakes and bubbling mud pools. A visit to the foot bathing area lets you enjoy the warm waters that naturally occur throughout the region. Take a walk through the park to see the steaming lakes and the location of the last eruption here on 2001.
Sulphur Point
We make a stop here on the edge of Lake Rotorua to see the effect the geothermal activity has on the lake, right in the heart of Rotorua. A popular spot for many of the native birds that also enjoy the warm waters created by the outflows from the nearby geysers and hot water springs.
What‘s Included
Redwoods Treewalk & Glow Worm caves guided tour admission
Small-group transport in air-conditioned minivan/coach
Port pickup and drop-off (cruise-friendly timing)
Traditional Hangi-inspired snack (meat or vegetable pie)
Guided geothermal foot bath experience (towels provided)
Professional local guide with live commentary
Admission to commercial geothermal parks (not included)
Lunch, drinks, souvenirs, personal expenses
Infant/baby seats (must be supplied by traveler if required)
Options
6.5 hour Small-Group Rotorua Naturally Shore Excursion - Tauranga
Reviews
297 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent!
Donna M,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour! Loved all the sites! Tauranga was amazing! Tour guide was so knowledgable! Would highly recommend!
Rotorua tour
Debra C,,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00It was very rushed. We drove to the Maori Village, but didi not go into it, just visited the gift shop and had a terrible pie at the cafe. No stops or pauses along the way to enable scenic photos. We also visited some Rotorua hot springs and saw some mud pools which was nice, but also very rushed. We then went to the redwood forest and glow worm cave, which was the best part of the trip. Lastly, we visited a kiwi fruit farm, which was also good. We were back on the bus quickly and racing back to Tauranga where we arrived half an hour early, so our driver drove around the block to kill some time - it would have been better to be let off at the beach instead........ There were no opportunities to take photos of the countryside AND we had time to spare, so we could have slowed down at a few lookouts or something.....photos through the bus window at highway speeds do not work well. The commentary was not entirely appropriate to the trip as we learnt a lot about the driver and his family, schooling, retirement options and some agriculture, but not much about the history of the areas we went through. Overall, I did not enjoy the trip.
Good excursion
MAE K,,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A lot seen, good guide. We thought it was a good excursion. They made sure we came back in time for departure
From Tauranga to Rotorua
Alla S,,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful scenic drive to the city of Rotorua Our guide Richie as very Indians funny We saw lakes, hot springs, redwoods and tasted kiwi! It was so cool , never saw them grow before
An amazing excursion
pat a,,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing! If you do no other excursions do this one! We did so much in a day. Thermal lakes, traditional village, glow worm caves, redwood forest, kiwi fruit farm. And our guide, Richie, was wonderful. So friendly and well informed. A truely memorabke day.
Adequate
Chrissy H,,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00The driver was knowledgeable but not organized. Do not sit in the back of the van, you will miss all of the information by the time you get off. Most stops were very quick and some areas seemed unnecessary. You get a quick preview of a lot of things but do not get to do anything within the areas…except the redwoods tree top adventure…which was AWESOME. It’s just 6 hours of lots of sitting on a van with a driver who is a bit like “get off my lawn” vibe. Good information, but boring.
Very enjoyable tour to Rotorua from the cruise pier in Tauranga
Barbara B,,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour! Wide variety of activities ranging from soaking our feet in a hot pool to traversing a lot of swinging bridges in a redwood forest to visiting a kiwi orchard to seeing some really cool boiling mud pools and more. Lunch was pretty good as well, though I enjoyed my beef pie while my husband wasn’t so keen on his chicken pie. We also appreciated the small group - there were only 16 of us. The van was nice and the driver/guide worked real hard to make sure we all had a great day.
It was a very informative...
Alan P,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a very informative tour around Rotorua lead by a gentleman named Ritchie who had a great knowledge of the area and also spoke of other matters about New Zealand that was very informative. The tour was not rushed with plenty of time to observe the various areas visited
Te whakarewarewa
MRSD J,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour with a humorous and knowledgeable guide/ driver. Included "lunch" which was a small savoury pastry and a cold drink at 11.15am By 2pm i was hungry!
Great trip if you want to see and try lots of new places
Anita D,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great trip offering lots of different things to see and do. The tour was well organized and the van very comfortable. I would highly recommend.
From NZ$219.00
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Operated by Cruise Tours Tauranga