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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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
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.
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Tauranga Shore Excursion: Rotorua Highlights
Reviews
405 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great overview of Maori history and life
knottyk3,
May 9, 2025
- Viator
5.00Great overview of Maori history and life. Our guide was excellent, but I can't remember his name; an older man who lived in the village.
Interesting and enjoyable tour.
Joyce M,
Apr 30, 2025
- Viator
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. The geothermal visit was excellent. Then tall trees and a visit to a kiwi farm. Excellent trip.
Authentic Maori Village
Dulcie L,
Apr 16, 2025
- Viator
5.00So interesting to see the Maori people living in their community and using the land to their benefit. Also seeing a bit of the New Zealand landscape, the beautiful scenery and waterfalls, the redwood forest was wonderful. Tasting kiwi and visiting the kiwi farm was a bonus.
Very cultural
John M,
Apr 13, 2025
- Viator
5.00The main point of this visit was to visit the Māori village. The other stops were not necessary but ok. Driver was very good as he was a local and took us around to see the beaches on the way. The Village tour as very interesting. Our guide the Chief Wes great, and had lived in the village all his life. How they cooked and bathed was really fascinating, using the hot spring water.
Terrific tour, not to be missed
Virginia H,
Apr 7, 2025
- Viator
5.00This was a tour of an authentic Mauri village built over hot springs and geysers. Twenty five families still live here. Tour was led by a Mauri resident and the performance was great. The Pohutu geyser fully erupted. We even got to taste ears of corn cooked in a boiling pool. Tour also included a visit to a kiwi fruit orchard with tasting, a stop at the Whakarewsrewa Forest, government gardens, and Kaituna Falls. The tour began at the ship’s port and our guide was very careful to watch the time all day in order to get us back to the ship in plenty of time.
Would recommend this trip 100% we took our 89-year-old mother who was very well catered for, the places they visited wh
Y6156KWcherylh,
Apr 1, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Would recommend this trip 100% we took our 89-year-old mother who was very well catered for, the places they visited where so interesting . John our driver and Ralph our guide really loverly people. It was just a fantastic experience and a must do if your able.
Great day, beautiful places.
Kerry W,
Mar 20, 2025
- Viator
5.00Very informative and interesting. Great job by Stephen and John. Would highly recommend this bus tour.
Lovely day out
Heidi g,
Mar 20, 2025
- Viator
5.00A wonderful excursion. Loved the living village and our tour guide Jessie who was very knowledgeable. The kiwi farm was very interesting and the fruit we sampled delicious. Thanks to all.
Brilliant, wonderful...
Wendy F,
Mar 20, 2025
- Viator
5.00Brilliant, wonderful immersion in the Māori family. Final saw the geysers. Tour guide and bus driver great a lot of knowledge
Entertaining and informative
Teena B,
Mar 18, 2025
- Viator
5.00Stephen was the most entertaining tour guide we've encountered and John was a friendly, safe driver. The tour was amazing, memorable and comfortable and we learnt so much about New Zealand and the local area - not just the dry facts, but real life information too. Thank you so much! Our only constructive feedback is to obtain a device to take electronic payment of tips!
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Operated by Zealandier Tours