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Rotorua Highlights Tour

18 Reviews 4.22 out of 5 stars Based on 18 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Tauranga, New Zealand
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from $123.85 per person

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6 to 8 hours (approx.)
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Offered in: English

Overview

Standard tour times 10:00am - 4:00pm. If your cruise ship arrives after 10.00am, we will depart approximately 60 minutes after the ship has docked. (we will confirm with you prior).

On arrival into Port of Tauranga, a day of sightseeing, story telling & cultural connection awaits...

Bound for Rotorua (appx 1.5hr), enjoy an array of our all inclusive snacks & bottled water, sit back and take in the many beautiful scenic views.

We begin with a visit to the Government Gardens, you'll see the Whangapipiro Rachel Pool known for its therapeutic water.

Come face to face with the big Californian Redwoods at Whakarewarewa Forest, over 55,000 hectares.

Take a walk at Kuirau Park, discover hissing, roaring & bubbling geothermal activity. Take off your shoes & enjoy a warm foot spa in one of the foot pools (towels provided).

Next stop Lake Tarawera, meaning burnt spear, one of the largest lakes in New Zealand.

Time permitting, we may stop at Te Puia for souvenir shopping.

What's Included

  • Snacks
  • Bottled water
  • Towels for foot spa

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    2 Salisbury Avenue
    Mount Maunganui 3116, New Zealand

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    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    What To Expect

    Book Online

    Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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    Sulphur Point

    Located at the southern end of Lake Rotorua, Sulphur Bay is a perfect example of Rotorua's famous geothermal environment.The constantly changing landscape around the bay has everything visitors to Rotorua could wish for. Silica flats, rocky terraces, and sulphur ledges sit alongside active boiling mud pools and steam vents. Even the water is interesting, its milky colour the result of sulphur particles that are suspended in the water.The bay's closeness to feeding grounds and the warmth generated by the geothermal activity, means the area attracts many native birds. Fans of bird watching can spot around 60 different species here including the banded dotterel, the scaup, and three types of gull in this protected wildlife reserve.
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    15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Government Gardens

    Beautiful and spacious gardens near the centre of Rotorua. The Government Gardens offer a bowling club, petanque, croquet and a golf course.Within the gardens, you'll also come across various points of interest that include the 1927 Arawa Soldiers Memorial, a number of geothermal features and the Kwaqiulth Totem Pole. The beautifully maintained gardens are a short walk to Lake Rotorua, the town centre and the wildlife refuge of Sulphur Bay.The land is one of legend and historical importance to the local Maori people, with a number of significant battles having taken place. The original Maori owners gifted the 50 acres of land in the late nineteenth century for 'the benefit of the people of the world'.The Government Gardens is also home to the Rotorua Museum , Polynesian Spa and the Blue Baths. The restored Blue Baths offer the opportunity to enjoy a dip in the warm waters and relax in an architecturally stunning building.
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    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Kuirau Park

    Walking tracks lead to numerous areas of vigorous geothermal activity. Provided you stay on the cool side of the safety fences, visitors are generally quite safe.New eruptions do occur from time to time, so it pays to err on the side of caution. In 2001 mud and rocks the size of footballs were suddenly hurled 10 metres into the air as a new steam vent spontaneously announced its arrival. Two years later, similar eruptions provided a real bonus for delighted visitors.In early Maori times the small lake in the park was much cooler and was known as Taokahu. Legend tells us that a beautiful young woman named Kuiarau was bathing in the waters when a taniwha (legendary creature) dragged her to his lair below the lake. The gods above were angered and made the lake boil so the Taniwha would be destroyed forever. From that time on, the bubbling lake and the steaming land around it have been known by the name of the lost woman, although the spelling has changed a little.
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    30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Mt. Tarawera

    Lake Tarawera, meaning burnt spear, and is one of the largest lakes in New Zealand. It was home to many small Māori villages until the Tarawera eruption in 1886. We will visit the paintings on the lake front that depict the story of the 'waka wairua' (Phantom canoe) which appeared on the lake as an ominous sign of death a few days before the eruption.In the 1800's, word spread of the eigth Natural Wonder of the World to be found at Tarawera - the spectacular Pink and White Terraces.The local tribes Tūhourangi and Ngāti Rangitihi, alongside non-Māori developers, profited greatly from this boom in tourism. Their success increased steadily until one night carved into the grounds of Tarawera - 10 June 1886.Devastation in the dead of the night, predicted by the tohunga/priest Tūhoto Ariki, New Zealand's deadliest volcanic eruption struck at around 10.00pm, 120 people lost their lives, 6 settlements were buried, and the Terraces vanished overnight.
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    15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Lake Tarawera

    TUHOURANGI TE IWI (The tribe) of Lake Tarawera presents their treasured Māori rock art. These Māori rock paintings were submerged by Lake Tarawera as a result of the eruption of the mountain in 1886. When the late receded in 1904 the paintings were partially uncovered. Of unknown age, there were executed in kokorai (red ochre) on the glass rhyolite face, and in common with rock carvings in this are, the canoe motif predominates. They were excavated in 1962 by the then National historical Plaves Trust. This site is protected under the Historic Places Act and is recognised as being under the guardianship of the local Māori tribe, Tuhourangi.
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    15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Blue Lake Track (pass by)

    Lake Tikitapu is immersed in Māori history. The name Tikitapu refers to a sacred greenstone, or pounamu, necklace that is believed to have been worn by a daughter of a high ranking chief.It is understood that the daughter lost the necklace as she bathed in the crystal waters. Legend says that the Taniwha monster, named Kataore, lived in Lake Tikitapu. Kataore's initial loveable nature had changed as he grew up, and he became a mischievous taniwha who preyed on lone travellers.Kataore's actions were getting out of hand, and he soon felt the rage of the neighbouring tribes. Kataore later made a detrimental mistake; he swallowed the chief's daughter, as she was on her way to be wed to a young chief, Reretoi. After hearing of this disaster, Reretoi assembled 140 bold warriors to seek revenge. Reretoi and his men managed to draw Kataore out of his cave and noose his neck, attack and slay him with tewhatewha and kotiate. Kataore's body was stripped of his flesh.
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    Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest

    Known to locals simply as ‘The Redwoods’, the 55,000ha Whakarewarewa Forest is a playground for mountain bikers, walkers, hikers and horse riders set amongst magnificent stands of towering Californian Redwoods, lush native forest and exotic trees.The Redwood Memorial Grove was planted in 1901, dedicated to the memory of the men of the New Zealand Forest Service who dies in the two World Wars. These iconic trees tower above you at approximately 67 metres (219 feet) tall providing incredible photo opportunities. This easy short walk also features a boardwalk over an old thermal pond, home to unique aquatic plant life.
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    15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Comfortable footwear is recommended
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
    • Operated by a business

    Frequently Asked Questions

    (7)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Rotorua Highlights Tour?

    A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-5546412P1

    Reviews

    4.22
    18 reviews

    Average 4.22 out of 5 stars based on 18 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

    5 stars
    12
    4 stars
    0
    3 stars
    5
    2 stars
    0
    1 star
    1

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    On average, this is booked 31 (0) days in advance.
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    Frequently Asked Questions (7)

    Activity name

    The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Destinations customers.

    Filter by:

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Rotorua Highlights Tour?
    A:
    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).
    • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
    Apr 2025
    Q: What's included in the price?
    A:
    The following is included:
    • Snacks.
    • Bottled water.
    • Towels for foot spa.
    Apr 2025
    Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
    A:

    This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

    Apr 2025
    Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
    A:

    The minimum age to participate is 1..

    Apr 2025
    Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
    A:

    If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

    If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

    Apr 2025
    Q: Is this an accessible tour?
    A:

    Accessibility information for the Rotorua Highlights Tour is as follows:

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    Apr 2025
    Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
    A:

    Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Rotorua Highlights Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Destinations. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

     

     

    Mar 2024

    What's Included

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    • Snacks
    • Bottled water
    • Towels for foot spa

    Additional Info

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    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Comfortable footwear is recommended
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
    • Operated by a business

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    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).
    • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
    • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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