Rotorua Eco Cultural full day tour (Wai o Tapu, Waimangu,Te puia)
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
The tour departs daily between 8:00-8:30 am. from your accommodation and drives you through forestry and farmland to New Zealand’s largest boiling mud pool. Your guide shows you a series of colorful hot springs and volcanic features at Wai-O-Tapu. Then see the Lady Knox geyser eruption at 10:15 am.
Next a short drive to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley where your guide explains the Mt. Tarawera eruption which blew open this spectacular, bush-covered, geothermal park.
Spend the afternoon experiencing Rotorua’s Maori culture and geothermal activity and see how they are intricately entwined. First, a guided tour through Te Puia, Rotorua’s premier cultural attraction. This includes a visit to the wood carving school, art and craft gallery, Rotowhio Marae, weaving display, kiwi house and finally the Pohutu geyser.
Next, we visit the Lakefront area to see the Maori War Canoe and learn more about Maori history and customs.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Medium level of fitness required
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Prepare for a captivating journey to Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland, one of the world's most surreal and active geothermal parks, located just 20 minutes from Rotorua CBD. You will be guided through Wai O Tapu for approximately 45-60 minutes to explore its vibrant and unique landscape before we depart for the majestic Lady Knox Geyser.
Lady Knox Geyser
Our journey continues to the Lady Knox Geyser, a true marvel that erupts just once a day, precisely at 10:15 AM. Join us to uncover the fascinating story behind her remarkable punctuality!
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
Bottled water
Lunch
Pickup points
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Rotorua Eco Cultural full day tour (Wai o Tapu, Waimangu,Te puia)
Pickup included
Reviews
35 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Phil was our guide and...
Gregory S,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Phil was our guide and was extremely knowledgeable about everything in the area. If you like history you’ll like this tour!
Unique sites!
ViaTour123,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour! Would have liked to spend more time in the park (morning part) with more information on geothermal phenomenon.
Great introduction to the geology, beauty and culture of Rotorua!
oooom,,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour is a great introduction to the geological formations and the culture of Rotorua. The van was very comfortable with good windows for viewing. The choice of sites was perfect, and we really enjoyed the easy to moderate walks / hikes through the nature parks. (There were good options for those who weren't up for that exercise.) Clint was a fantastic and very knowledgeable guide.
One of the best things to do in Rotorua!
Kathleen W,,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour includes three of the top natural attractions and cultural sites in Rotorua. We drove through beautiful countryside, saw numerous geothermal pools and geysers, and had a tour of the Moari school for arts and crafts which was very informative and helped us understand their culture. I appreciated the hikes through the parks for up close views of thermal activity and the education are tour guide, Clint, gave us about the environment and native plants. This all day tour is a great way to experience and gain understanding about the land and its people.
My tour guide was Shaun!...
Tal S,,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00My tour guide was Shaun! He is very sweet, friendly, and knowledgeable. His anecdotes and facts about rotorua and geothermal activity really add to the experience. I'd reccomend this to solo travelers looking to get a feel for their time in rotorua!
Full day tour
Andrea R,,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Clive had a great deal of knowledge of the history of the area. He is adept at getting in and out of crowded areas. The full day tour was a good overview, from the hike in the volcanic park to the lakes to the Māori center.
The guide is a very cheerful and fun person, from start to finish...
TOMOKO S,,Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide was a very cheerful and fun person and I felt comfortable from start to finish. I'm glad that the number of participants was compact, too, with eight. In the morning, the other participants ended, and we were the only two participants until the end. Lake Rotorua, where we went in the afternoon, we had gone beforehand, so with the other participants gone, they changed where we took them to places we hadn't yet. Thank you very much. Finally, he took me to a shop where I could buy Jade. I was grateful to the kind guide.
Beautiful area
366juliannap,,Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really nice experience! Our tour guide Shaun, was very lovely and full of interesting tidbits and knowledge about the area and plants. He picked us up from our motel and kept us on schedule so we can make it to Lady Knox geyser on time. Waimangu Volcanic Valley was definitely a highlight of the tour. Stunning views. Te Puia was also a great place to visit. Basta as a guide was very funny and charismatic. Even if he isn't an expert of bamboo cutting (check later). We even go to see a few baby kiwis! Te Puia's souvenir shop is very well stocked too so worth waiting until then with your shopping. At the end of the tour, Shaun drove us around Rotorua and took us to the breathtaking lookout point on Blue and Green Lakes as well as Lake Okareka. The only nitpicking I have is that lunch break place didn't have many healthy food options so we ended up starving that day a bit. Take something to eat with you if you don't like sandwiches. Overall, very informative and well-covered tour, even if it can be a bit intense, pace-wise. Take good shoes and make sure you can handle fast walking (one couple couldn't keep up and held up a group for a bit there, but Shaun handled it perfectly). Thank you for taking care of us, Shawn! To tour company boss: little elf told us Shaun really wants a Bluetooth headset for Christmas. He works really hard for it!!
Great day trip
Angela B,,Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Shawn was very knowledgeable and friendly. This was a lovely tour and a great way to find out about Rotorua
Absolutely loved this...
Joe,,Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely loved this experience. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and really felt we connected to the local culture!
From NZ$390.00
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