Join us on this full day tour, a chance to experience at close hand the natural geothermal landscape of the Wai-O-Tapu valley. First see the Lady Knox geyser erupt at 10.15, then on our walk through the vally, see the amazing colours of the pools and the smells of the bubbling mud pools. Before travelling on to Te Puia, we will enjoy a picnic lunch at the visitor centre. At Te Puia, you will see a Maori cultural performance on the authentic Marae, the iconic Kiwi bird, wood carving and flax weaving demonstrations, plus geysers, mud pools and much more.

Adult $270.00 NZ            Child $195.00 NZ

Itinerary

Depart Tauranga for Rotorua, passing through Te Puke, the home of the New Zealand Kiwifruit. A short stop at Kiwi360, a showcase of the kiwifruit industry to see how the Kiwifruit grows and taste some of the products made from this national icon, souvenirs available. Our route then continues through farmland, native bush and forested areas, passing by Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotorua before arriving at…
Wai-O-Tapu, in time to see the daily eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser at 10.15am, capable of reaching heights of 20 metres, the eruptions can continue for up to one hour. Then take a guided walk through a wonderland of stunning geothermal activity, absorb the unique features including the world famous champagne pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace formations. The natural bush setting adds another dimension to the experience of these phenomena.

Returning to the Visitor Centre we collect our picnic lunch to enjoy in this beautiful natural landscape [indoor option if weather unsuitable]. We then take a short drive to Rotorua where we visit…

Te Puia, the home of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Firstly entering onto the Marae you will take your seats in the meeting house, a place of special spiritual significance to Maori, to enjoy a Cultural Performance. Here you will see the traditional songs, dances and demonstrations of fighting skills [including the Haka] performed. We visit the wood carving school and see craftsman at work, then watch Maori women demonstrate flax weaving. Next, a visit to the Kiwi-house to see the flightless Kiwi bird. Finally a short walk through the geothermal valley of Whakarewarewa to view the famous Pohutu geyser and hot pools that makes Te Puia unique. 

Leaving Te Puia we take a short tour through Rotorua City to see the famous Victorian Bath House, Government Gardens and Blue Baths, returning to Tauranga by an alternative route, a chance to see more of the landscape and scenery of New Zealand.   Arriving back in Tauranga, we cross the harbour bridge to Mount Maunganui to rejoin the ship.

If you would like a private tour following this itinerary, for groups from 1 to 100 persons, then please contact us and we will be pleased to provide a quotation for a Signature Class Tour.

Duration 9 hours
Start Time 0800hrs
End Time 1700hrs

You wil be met at the ships gangway, look out for a name board with either your group name on or TRG-7.

Note, if the ship arrives after 0800 then the tour will begin 30 minutes after arrival, or as soon as passengers can depart
Should the ship leave earlier than 60 minutes after the tour is due to end we may shorten the tour

You will see
Kiwifruit orchard
Mud pools & Geysers
Wood carving & Flax weaving
Kiwi bird house
Cultural performance
Government gardens
Rotorua Bath House
Blue Baths & Rachel's Pool
Rotorua Lake side
Great scenery

What's Included
Comfortable transport
Experienced guide
Entry to Wai-O-Tapu
Entry to Te Puia
Cultural concert seats
Picnic lunch

General Info
This tour requires some walking on well made paths, gentle inclines and some steps. A range of walks can be taken at Wai-O-Tapu to suit your ability.

Meals
A picnic lunch is included [please advise us of any special dietary needs]

Conditions & Prices
This tour requires a minimum of 4 persons to operate. The group size will not exceed 24 persons.
Rates are shown in NZ $

Please see our Shore Trips Booking Terms & Conditions