The Rotorua Cultural and Geothermal Experience tour was a lot of fun. Seeing geysers, boiling lakes and a Maori cultural village with a very entertaining show were interesting and fun. Paul, our tour guide was very helpful, and extremely informative. For someone who has only a brief time to spend in the Tauranga area, this tour provides an excellent overview of the New Zealand native culture, and its unique topography.
Be quick to book the tour that's best for you! Email tgatastingtours@xtra.co.nz or call Lyn or Paul on NZ 027 5224607 or NZ 07 5441383.
Rotorua
Just one hour from Tauranga City, Rotorua is the heart of Maori culture and a geothermal wonderland. With its thermal springs, boiling mud pools, steaming fissures and geysers, Rotorua, nestled among crater lakes of crystalline colour and clarity is a 'must see'!
In Rotorua, you can experience indigenous culture with a Maori Welcome and concert. You can also see traditional Maori crafts such as flax-weaving and wood-carving which have been passed on through the generations at Rotorua's Te Puia, Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. If seeing a real life kiwi (bird) is on your New Zealand bucket list, Rotorua is the place to tick that off too.
Rotorua Day Tours
Option 1: Rotorua Cultural and Geothermal Experience (full day)
Travel from ship-side, over the harbour bridge & through Tauranga's CBD, before leaving the city & travelling through scenic countryside en route for Rotorua. After proceeding to Te Puia, the Maori Cultural Centre, clients are given a tour of the old pa site, through the thermal grounds (of boiling mud, geysers etc) & shown the wood-carving/flax-weaving school. This is followed by a Maori Welcome & Concert.Please note that, at Te Puia, we are not permitted This tour is designed for 2-3 people to travel without others. The tour is designed to try to ensure that you do things relevant to your particular group so that you are not locked in to aspects in which you have no interest. After your visit to Te Puia Maori Cultural Centre, you are given a some additional options such as the Redwood Forest, Blue & Green Lakes, the lakefront & gardens, the Agrodome,the luge, a winery - or ANY other places specific to your tastes. We return to Tauranga via a different route, which provides clients the opportunity to view different scenery.. En route we stop beside a kiwifruit orchard, where the kiwifruit industry is explained, from planting to edible fruit. To end the tour, we travel along our beautiful waterfront & beach, before returning to ship-side or your accommodation. While travelling, your driver/guide for the tour will give a commnentary explaing points of interest.
COST:
EXCLUSIVE TOUR (1-3 people) - $1590.00
OPTION TWO - GROUP TOUR
Travel from ship-side over the harbour bridge & through Tauranga's CBD, before leaving the city & travelling through open countryside en route to Rotorua.
After proceeding to Te Puia, the Maori Cultural Centre, clients are given a tour of the old pa site, through the thermal grounds (of boiling mud, geysers etc.) & shown the wood-carving school, flax-weaving & the kiwi bird. This is followed by a Maori Welcome onto the marae, before entering a meeting house for a performance by a Maori concert party. (Please note that we are not permitted to do our own guiding at Te Puia.)
On leaving Te Puia, we travel through Rotorua's CBD , stopping at Eat Street, where lunch is purchased (at client's cost). After lunch we travel along the lakefront, through the Government Gardens, stopping briefly at the Rotorua Museum, the Historic Bath-house, to explain the background of this fine old building.
We return to Tauranga via an alternative route, which provides clients with the opportunity to view different scenery.
En route we stop briefly at a kiwifruit orchard where the kiwifruit industry is explained, from planting through to the beautiful edible fruit.
To end the tour, we travel along our beautiful waterfront & beach, before returning to ship-side.
While travelling, your driver/guide for the tour will give a commentary explaining points of interest.,
GROUP TOUR ( Up to 14 pax- $2,200.00
The Agrodome Farm Show or Volcanic Wines can be added to this tour (at your own cost).
Date of experience: January
Option 3: Transport Only (Exclusive)
For groups that want a bit more flexibility, we have a transport only tour with clients choosing venues and activities in Rotorua.
Popular attractions include Skyline Gondola and Luge, The Agrodome Farm Show, Polynesian Spa, Redwoods Tree Walk, the Schweeb at Velocity Valley, a mud bath at Hell's Gate, Volcanic Hills Winery, Te Puia Maori Cultural Centre, whakarewarewa and the Buried Village.
We recommend choosing 1 or 2 activities with time to briefly explore Rotorua city highlights before returning to Tauranga.
Allow minimum 5 hours.
Inclusions 14 seater bus and driver
Cost $900.00 Total
We suggest you look at www.skyline.co.nz, https://velocitycity.co.nz, www.riverrats.co.nz as examples of activities you can do.
To book a transport only, fill in our form on our contact us page.