Rotorua Highlights Tour: Waiotapu, Lunch & Add-On from Auckland
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover Rotorua’s geothermal wonders, Māori culture and natural beauty on this premium small group day tour from Auckland. Travel through the scenic Waikato countryside to Rotorua, where you’ll visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (included, morning), home to vibrant hot pools, bubbling mud and the famous Champagne Pool.
In the afternoon, personalise your Rotorua experience by selecting one activity. Choose from a guided cultural and geothermal tour at Te Puia, unwind in the Deluxe Lake Spa at Polynesian Spa, relax among nature at Secret Spot Hot Tubs, fly across ziplines and reach speeds of up to 80 km/h at Rotorua Canopy Tours, or take in the forest from above on the Redwoods Treewalk.
Highlights:
• Small group tour from Auckland
• Fully guided with expert commentary
• Wai-O-Tapu visit included
• Choice of afternoon activity
• Scenic Waikato journey
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
Treetop Walk / Zipline Adventure Activity: Involves heights of up to 30 metres and carries an element of personal risk.
Treetop Walk / Zipline Potential Hazards: Risks may include uneven terrain, moving platforms, slips, trips, falls, weather conditions, equipment failure, and, in rare cases, serious injury.
Treetop Walk / Zipline Participant Responsibility: Comprehensive safety measures are in place; however, participation is at your own risk and personal safety cannot be guaranteed.
Due to uneven surfaces & a moderate amount of walking being involved, this tour is not recommended for travelers with severe mobility difficulties, or wheelchair users
What To Expect
Auckland Central
Your tour starts in New Zealand’s largest city. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventure today but also point out and guide you past some of the city’s top highlights.
Waikato Region
Exiting Auckland we travel south through the stunning Waikato countryside, the most extensive farming area in the world, encountering beautiful scenery, might 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.
Options
WaiOTapu & Secret Spot Hot Tub
WaiOTapu & Secret Spot Hot Tub: Discover the vibrant beauty of Wai-O-Tapu and relax in the serene Secret Spot Hot Tubs Duration: 12 hours: Arrive back in Auckland around 7pm Lunch: Order on the day from a set menu Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Pickup included
Wai O Tapu & Te Puia Te Rā
Wai O Tapu & Te Puia Te Rā : Experience the famous geothermal wonders and Maori culture, arts & crafts of Te Puia & Wai-O-Tapu, all in one day. Duration: 12 hours: Arrive back in Auckland around 7pm Lunch: Order on the day from a set menu Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Pickup included
Wai O Tapu & Polynesian Spa
Wai O Tapu & Polynesian Spa: Include the geothermal wonders and a tour of Wai-O-Tapu, then relax with Deluxe Lakeside Spa entry at the Polynesian Spa. Duration: 12 hours: Arrive back in Auckland around 7pm Lunch: Order on the day from a set menu Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Pickup included
Wai O Tapu & Ziplining
WaiOTapu & Rotorua Canopy Tour: WaiOTapu & Ziplining at Rotorua Canopy Tours Duration: 12 hours: Arrive back in Auckland around 7pm Lunch: Order on the day from a set menu Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Pickup included
Wai O Tapu & Redwoods
Wai O Tapu & Redwoods : Explore the vibrant geothermal wonders of Wai-O-Tapu and immerse yourself in nature at the breathtaking Redwoods Treewalk. Duration: 12 hours: Arrive back in Auckland around 7pm Lunch: Order on the day from a set menu Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Pickup included
What‘s Included
Free choice from a set menu, provided on the day
Water available & snacks provided
Your choice of activity! Please select the afternoon activity you'd like to experience
Wai-O-Tapu, including the Champagne Pool and bubbling mud pools
Complimentary Hotel Pickup & Drop off (select locations only)
Restroom on board
Children below 8 are required to travel in a booster/safety seat. Hire for NZ$20 or provide your own
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
423 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Rotorua and TePuia were amazing!
299patricet,Jun 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a great time from Auckland to Te Puia, Waiotapu, and Rotorua! The included lunch was delicious and Simon was an excellent driver and guide. Seeing the Māori student artists and a kiwi bird live at Te Puia were definitely highlights! Thank you! Love Cheeky Kiwi tours!!
First tour for a solo traveler
gabrielluisf2026,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This ended up being my first tour in New Zealand. After grabbing coffee at a stopover, we started the day with a 90 minute trail at Wai O Tapu followed by lunch. We capped off the day with a dip at the different mineral pools in the Polynesian Spa. Amazing experience with a view of the lake just ahead. Thanks, Simon, for being such an informative guide!
Great
etevisel2018,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hanoz was the BEST- super knowledgeable on all things Aotearoa and was a pleasant and friendly driver/tour guide. Please give him a raise. Also, this tour was well worth the price. 10/10 would recommend. Book Cheeky Kiwi travel for any NZ tours
Long journey but John made it engaging
jimtA4059SH,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00John our guide is full of nuggets of information about the Maoris and history of the places we visited. Gave us just the right amount of time to explore and also made sure that we got back to our hotels on time. While the entire trip was more than 12 hours in total, it didn't feel that long because of how engaging John was.
Great Trip
A7012RJsimonb,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a really great experience, iam really happy that I didnt miss it. Thanks
Highly recommended!!!
barwe,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent visit. Very interesting. All organized perfectly. Simon was our guide, super attentive to all passengers. He explained what we saw accompanied us in every admission.
A great experience not to be missed!
421wickys,May 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great experience not to be missed! All was very well organised, pick up on time, making it a most enjoyable day with memorable highlights. My booked trip had to be re-arranged due to low numbers and the e-mail contact was excellent. Our driver Michael was brilliant and a great source of knowledge about NZ. It is definitely worth travelling in a small group and I shall be recommending Cheeky Kiwi to my fellow travellers.
Relaxing day in New Zealand
295boriss,May 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great tour for our family. We had a Hobbiton tour day before and it was also very enjoyable but somewhat rushed. This gave us a plenty of time to enjoy natural hot spa and just relax, followed by the beautiful redwood walk. Liam was great, very informative and also gave us the quite time for the ride from and to Auckland. We finished a second part of tour early enough so he dropped us at Rotorua center where we explored streets of downtown while he went to pick up rest of the group from their activity. I would definitely recommend Cheeky Kiwi and this tour.
Excellent trip
S7420HWtracyt,Apr 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My tour guide John did an excellent job. Everything was well prepared. He also shared a lot of tourist tips. We enjoyed this day tour.
Fantastic experience
906wongm,Apr 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour guide, John, is more than excellent. He is professional, experienced and talkative. Apart from the tour information, he has also provided with us restaurants information, sightseeing places and most importantly delicious ice cream. My wife and I are extremely happy with the day tour organized by Cheeky Kiwi, particularly under John's tour guidance.
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