Rotorua Highlights including Te Puia & Polynesian Spa Small Group Tour from Auckland
Overview
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This carefully curated day tour combines the best of Rotorua's natural wonders, Māori culture, and world-class relaxation, offering a truly immersive experience. You will visit Te Puia for a 90 minute guided tour, & the Polynesian Spa for deluxe lake spa entry
Description
Please note that depending on your selected package and preferences, not all guests will participate in the same activities, ensuring a tailored and personalized experience for everyone!
Itinerary:
1. Auckland - Your tour starts in New Zealand’s largest city!
2. Waikato – Exiting Auckland we travel south through the stunning Waikato countryside, the most extensive farming area in the world, encountering beautiful scenery, mighty rivers, great photo opportunities, impressive mountains and several farm animals along the way. During our adventure in the Waikato we will also stop for a quick coffee break at a special location.
3. Tirau – Continuing our journey to Rotorua we pass through Tirau famously dubbed the 'Corrugated Iron Capital of the World' because of the many unique corrugated iron sculptures and buildings. This town never fails to get a look and a laugh and our guides will point out all the main highlights on the way through.
4. Rotorua City Highlights – Arriving in Rotorua we will do a guided driving tour for you to get your bearings and see the most famous sites in Rotorua city including: Lake Rotorua,
Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Whangapipiro (Rachel Spring) and the Blue Baths.
5. Te Puia – On arrival in Rotorua, your first stop is the world-renowned Te Puia. Here, you'll enjoy a fully guided tour of this iconic cultural and geothermal park. Marvel at the impressive Pohutu Geyser, bubbling mud pools, and steaming fumaroles. Learn about the traditions, artistry, and history of the Māori people as you explore the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where master carvers and weavers preserve and share their ancient crafts. Don't miss the chance to see the elusive kiwi bird at the onsite Kiwi House!
6. Lunch break - After your Te Puia experience, you will have the opportunity to purchase some lunch.
7. Polynesian Spa - The afternoon takes a serene turn as you arrive at the luxurious Polynesian Spa. Enjoy exclusive entry to the Deluxe Lake Spa, where you’ll soak in geothermal mineral pools overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Rotorua. The natural mineral-rich waters, sourced from two unique springs, are known for their therapeutic properties, providing ultimate relaxation for body and mind.
8. Auckland – Sadly we must start to head north again but your day is not over with a fully guided return trip to Auckland with secret stops along the way.
Highlights:
Lake Rotorua
Government Gardens, Blue Baths, Whangapipiro (Rachel Spring) & Rotorua Museum
Time at chosen activities
Waikato Farm Region
Inclusions:
Complimentary hotel pick-up and drop-off in Auckland (select hotels only)
Entry & 90 minute guided tour at Te Puia
Deluxe Lake Spa entry at Polynesian Spa
Fully guided tour with an experienced, friendly driver-guide
Comfortable, air-conditioned transport
Small group size for a personalized experience
Cancellation Policy
Terms: Tours will only run if at least 5 people have booked on the tour, we reserves the right to alter the tour due to weather or operational needs.
A full refund will be issued for cancellations made a minimum of 10 days prior to the scheduled departure time.
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
Options
Reviews
374 reviews
Great day in te puia and waiotapu
Jessica B,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had an incredible day at rotorua! I chose the te puia and waiotapu option and it exceeded my expectations. The pictures don’t do it justice. We started at waiotapu which is a self guided walk around the thermal wonderland park. I saw the neon green Devils Bath, and many thermal baths and beautiful views. Then the bus took us to te puia, where I saw a kiwi bird, the Māori school, a mud pool and an erupting geyser! I loved learning about the Māori culture and our Māori guide taught us so much. I would’ve loved to see the Māori show but there’s not enough time in this option I picked. If I had more time in the city, I would’ve also loved to try the tree trekking, waitomo caves, and Polynesian spa, but alas I didn’t have enough time. Our guide, Grant, is a local Auckland’s, and was such a delight and so knowledgeable. He gave us a couple of neat local snacks and water. I loved my day. Thanks Grant!!
Excellent trip to Rotorua
charles g,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00John is an excellent guide. Very accommodating. The trip was well organized with an excellent use of the day.
THE BEST GUIDE IN THE WORLD
T3907PP,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We visited Wai-O tapu, redwoods with guide John. It seems like he tried to explain everthing he knows about NZ. I couldn't understand 100% his saying, but we can feel he did his best to make our trip special. I hope his happiness. From DEMON HUNTER, SOUTH KOREA
Guides are top of the line
lynnetourond,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Knowledgeable and entertaining driver who went out of his way to make this the best experience - thermal pools and Māori cultural arts training school.? 12 hours went by very quickly with always something to see
Excellent tour guide
Voyage727595,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It is an excellent trip arrangements involving both stunning views and moderate walks. Our tour guide Ben is very friendly amd cooperative. He is knowledgeable and full of passion. He even paid my ice cream from his own pocket when he found I didn’t bring cash with me. A great guy!
Long Day
charlesfQ2741UT,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00First, our guide/driver, Ben was great. It's a long ride out and back to Rotorua and he gave us time to sleep and he gave us a good amount of history/site seeing. The day is a very long one, make no mistake. We were picked up at 610am and dropped off at 735pm. Most of that time is driving to and from Rotorua. Once there we chose the self guided tours of the hot springs and redwoods. Both were great. The redwood forest in particular was peaceful and amazing. Would we do it again? Probably not just because it's such a long day, mostly on the comfortable 16 passenger van. While the van is comfortable and well stocked with water and snacks, it's still alot of just sitting time. Hats off to Ben - he made it a better day.
Awsome
Laura C,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awsome experience Tour guide very friendly and knowledgeable contact me via email and WhatsApp thank you so much
Rotorua day trip
Sanjay M,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was fun and a chance to learn about Rotorua and Māori culture. Grant was our driver and guide. Very informative and helpful in many ways.
Fun tour
alex mn1,,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a fun well organized tour. Grant was a great guide and driver and took good care of everybody. He was well spoken, very knowledgeable and very good sense of humor :) We had plenty of time for sightseeing and both places we visited were interesting.
The bus ride takes...
Mackenzie P,,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The bus ride takes approximately 3 hours one way but the guide does stop about an hour in for coffee/bathroom. Same on the way back but with ice cream/bathroom. We went to Wai-O-Tapu for about 2 hours on a self guided tour of the Geothermal Hot Pools (FYI it smells STRONGLY of sulfer). Then everyone got to pre pick their second activity which we did the Polynesian Spa. We spent around 2 hours there as well which was relaxing but only needed about an hour (we also smelt like sulfur from the mineral in the hot tubs at the spa which wasn’t enjoyable). Overall it was memorable but wouldn’t necessarily spend the money on the trip if given the choice again.
From A$357.64
Auckland, New Zealand
- Free cancellation
Reserve Now & Pay Later - available
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