Tauranga Shore Excursion: Rotorua Highlights
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
***ALL OUR TOURS START & END TO FIT THE CRUISE SHIPS' ARRIVAL & SAILING TIMES***
Rotorua is the 2nd most visited city in New Zealand by all tourists. As you only have a small window of opportunity to visit we have created an itinerary to showcase some of what we think makes this place so special. The two main interests which make people visit is Maori Culture & Geothermal Activity. This tour showcases the area where your ship is docked (Mount Maunganui) before we depart for the city of Rotorua. Enroute we showcase all which creates the namesake of the Bay of Plenty. Arriving at Rotorua's only Living Maori Village of its kind - Whakarewarewa - you will receive a traditional welcome and invited by a local to join them on a guided tour of this unique place. A village which lives on top of an active geothermal valley and has learnt to harness the powers of mother nature to aid their daily living needs for 100's of year. See geysers, steaming fumaroles , bubbling hot pools and much more.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes
Please bring sun protection and jackets for cooler weather
Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
ALL OUR TOURS HAVE FLEXIBLE START / END TIMES TO MEET SHIP ARRIVAL & SAILING TIMES.
“As numbers are limited, we encourage booking only when you’re confident of attending. This allows us to operate comfortably and fairly for all guests.”
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Mount Maunganui
ALL TOURS DEPARTURE TIMES WILL FIT WITH SHIPS ARRIVAL AND SAILING TIMES. It is just a 2 minute walk from disembarkation place on port of Tauranga to tour meeting place.
Mt Maunganui Main Beach
Mount Maunganui is voted New Zealands number 1 beach and seaside resort. With its iconic Mauao - a volcanic lava dome, 232 mtrs high standing proudly at the headland and the 22kms of beautiful white sandy beach, not forgetting to mention Marine Parade which showcases some of New Zealand most expensive and luxurious holiday homes - this is not a place to miss seeing.
What‘s Included
Driver/guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Tasting of local fare
Port pickup and drop-off
Live commentary on board
Covered by Viator’s worry-free policy: guaranteed on-time return to your ship
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities
Options
Tauranga Shore Excursion: Rotorua Highlights
Reviews
460 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Ship cancelled port call....
Ronald B,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Ship cancelled port call. No refund yet. Where is refund? No word from Viator or from tour operator.
Rotorua/Tauranga Shore Excursion
caburke4,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Visit to village was interesting - enjoyed the Haka warrior dance. Would have rather skipped lunch and returned sooner. Still a lot of driving to observe this experience.
Great tour
Paul V,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A great tour well organised the highlight was Rotorua, particularly the Māori cultural show. Also enjoyed the Kiwi fruit tasting!
Tauranga
Kent H,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Outstanding day. Steven and John were a great team. Mauri village tour was quite interesting. Waterfall was oversold. Kiwi fruit orchard was very nice.
Highly educational
gilesa2013,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tour guide Steve provided ongoing narration throughout the day about history, culture, politics, you name it. Highlight was Māori village visit and performance. Also included a stop at a redwood forest, waterfall, and kiwi fruit farm visit and kiwi and honey tasting. Lunch was a shopping mall food court that offered many choices. A day well spent.
Not my favorite tour but...
Julie G,Mar 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Not my favorite tour but we’ve been on some really good ones recently. Too much time on the bus. Couldn’t hear the bus driver/narrator as he mumbled all the time.
First class tour
Ian O,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Communication with the tour operatiin was superb from the start? When there was some confusion as to the timing of our ship docking the tour company changed the start time of our tour. The actual tour itself was fantastic and gave a great insight into the area but also the culture. The visit to the Màori village and the guide we had could not be faulted. Everything about the day made it an unforgettable one that i would highly recomend.
Rotorua highlights tour. Really good experience. Great tour.
mikesmith9,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Full day seeing lots of different places. Tour guide and the driver were very knowledgeable and funny. They were really accommodating with our cruise ship docking and leaving times. Thoroughly enjoyed the Maori living village. A great experience. Highly recommended.
Culture Tour Tuaranga
Tracey B,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Another great trip. Stephen and John were great tour guides and were full of interesting facts and details. We had a wonderful trip and their humour and natural manner made for a great time.
Great trip!
pbobmckinley,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic tour, with a greater understanding of the great Māori culture and peoples.
From NZ$245.00
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