Tarawera and Rotorua Lakes Eco Tour by Boat with Guide
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
The Tarawera and Lakes Tour is the ultimate way to experience the beauty of Rotorua's lakes district and uncover the stories of the land, its people, and the devastating 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera. This fully guided 120-minute adventure takes you across land and water aboard a genuine WWII amphibious duck, visiting four of Rotorua's stunning lakes and cruising across three — with the breathtaking Lake Tarawera at the foot of the mighty Mt Tarawera as the undeniable highlight. With comfortable seating and a small group setting, this tour is perfect for families, couples, and solo travellers looking to immerse themselves in Rotorua's rich history and spectacular natural landscapes. Our guides are passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated to making every tour an experience to remember.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We have tours available with translation sheets in Chinese, French and English
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Rotorua Duck Tours
We are on this attraction for 120mins
Redwoods Treewalk
Drive past and learn about Treewalk
What‘s Included
Driver/guide
Live commentary on board
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transportation to/from attractions
Options
Tarawera and Rotorua Lakes Eco Tour by Boat with Guide
Reviews
199 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A trip not to be missed!
Brian C,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow! This is some tour. My wife and I did the tour this afternoon and it was simply brilliant. Tim was our driver/guide and he simply did a great job to make the tour so memorable - great stories; great laughs; great information, so you learn so much about the lakes and the area you are travelling through. One of the best activities we've experienced since we've been in New Zealand. Put it top of your 'to do' list if you're visiting Rotarua! It tells you something about Tim's sense of humour when he plays music from 'The Titanic' when the 'Duck' enters the first lake!! Brilliant trip. Thank you, Tim
Tarawera and Lakes Duck Tour
helenw543,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We had a good time till our weather forecast turned red warnings so missed out on last lake as too risky to go, our guide was always looking out for our safety!
Entertaining
dianatrafford nz,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour.Tim was an amazing guide, very funny, friendly and very informative. Would recommend, great scenery. Time was spot on, 1.5 hr good time
Loved it
Marie H,Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a fun experience for sure! The duck tour was fun and we even learned a lot! We had a new guide who was training (with a veteran accompanying her) so we hit the jackpot! They were both caring and helpful.
Great factual tour of lakes
JaniceW1522,May 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience Great comical lady driver Very factual tour A must do tour. Funny songs played when entering the lakes.
Enjoyed the tour
meena h,Mar 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a fabulous time on the tour. Matt was very funny and great story teller All three lakes were great. We got to Al almost endangered bird
Excellent experience
Gaylene R,Feb 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was really great learniing so much amazing history of Rotorua. Also learned a lot about the history of the vehicle we were in.
Wonderful fun way to see the beautiful lakes.
Camulodofan,Feb 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour with an entertaining guide. A scenic route and splash down in three beautiful lakes. Loved the story behind our Duck Matilda.
Sound quality is bad. Barely heard anything
up2ular,Jan 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We did this years ago before Covid. It was a better experience in memory. Maybe it was down to the duck whistle thing is no longer available, or the guide commentary wasn’t as fun and clear as before. The speaker quality was poor that you barely heard anything. It ruined a big part of experience as this is heavily guide driven. I saw the company’s feedback for this issue is this is part of experience because the vehicle is old and loud. But this is never a good excuse if the visitors can’t hear anything. They should have done better.
Great trip
jeanetskk2023,Jan 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Trevor is the best guide. He told us so many interesting things on the way, he has a great humor and the places we went were great. He Even made the rainbow come our for us 😉 I can only recommend this tours. Good value for money!
From NZ$110.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Rotorua Duck Tours