Rotorua Tour #1
Pick up from your accommodation: 9.15am.
Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland + Lady Knox Geyser
Wai-o-tapu is associated with volcanic activity back about 160,000 years
and is located on the edge of the largest volcanic caldera(depression)
within the Taupo Volcanic Plateau.
Rotorua Museum.
The Bath House, which today houses Rotorua Museum of Art and History
Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa, was once a famous geothermal spa which
offered therapeutic treatments to visitors from all over the world.
Agrodome (Sheep Show).
A multi-faceted attraction, catering for all world markets. Open every day
of the year, this multi-lingual show can cater for large and small groups.
The Agrodome Sheep Show is presented 3 times daily.
Lakeland Queen Express Lunch Cruise (Optional)
The Lakeland Queen, New Zealand's only stern drive paddle vessel, operates
from the Rotorua Lakefront.
Rates: Adults NZ$54 Children NZ$27.50. These rates are valid only in combination with the Agrodome Sheep Show. The duration of the cruise is 1 hour. The cost of this lunch is not included in the Tour Price.
Additional Notes.
After the Sheep Show at the Agrodome a sightseeing tour through Rotorua
will conclude tis tour. You will be dropped of at your accommodation between
4.30 and 5.00pm.
Additional to this tour you have the option of experiencing a Maori Cultural
show and Hangi at either Tamaki Maori Village or Mitai. Please advise your guide
if you wish to attend and your guide can make the necessary reservations.
These shows usually commence at 6.00pm and you will be picked up from and
dropped off at your accommodation.
Rotorua Tour #2
Pick up from your accommodation: 8.30am.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Waimangu Volcanic Valley is Rotorua's premier tourist attraction and a
"must do" eco-experience during your visit to Rotorua if you are looking
for an exciting thermal attraction and sightseeing tours that include
unique ecology, rare botany and fascinating geothermal features.
Buried Village.
Wecome to the Buried Village, Rotorua. Violent and unexpected, the
volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera on the 10th of June 1886, was
New Zealand's greatest natural disaster. It destroyed the eighth wonder of
the world- the magnificent Pink and White Terraces. For more than four terrifying
hours, rocks, ash and mud bombarded the peaceful village of Te Wairoa.
The fiery glow in the night sky, and the roar of the explosions were seen
and heard as far away as Auckland.
The Redwoods
Escape into the beautiful Whakarewarewa Forest, one of Rotorua's most
spectacular natural assets. Famous for its magnificent stands of Californian
Coastal Redwoods. It is just a five minutes drive from the city centre.
Here you can experience some of the finest walking and mountain bike
trails in the world. Not to mention taking in superb panoramic views of
Rotorua City, Lake and surrounding district.
If you love the outdoors, this area is for you.
Lake Tarawera
The 1886 eruption, which killed 153 people and raised the lake surface by 12 metres, shaped the Tarawera landscape. The lake drains eastward through the Tarawera River, over spectacular falls.
Green lake
Lake Rotokakahi, more commonly known as the Green Lake privately owned by a sub-tribe of TeArawa therefore no fishing or boating activity is available to locals or visitors on this lake.
There are many myths and legends surrounding this lake which means freshwater mussel lake
Blue Lake
Situated off Tarawera Road on the way to the Buried Village, The Blue Lake (Tikitapu) has a charm all of its own. Nestled among bush-clad hills, the lake is well known for its reef spawning rainbow.
While sharing with a water-ski club and kayakers the lake is a wonderful training-ground for children to fish, both fly and troll. The main stock is wild rainbow with hatchery releases making up the numbers
Additional Notes.
After the visit to the Redwoods you will be dropped of at your accommodation
between 4.30 and 5.00pm.
Additional to this tour you have the option of experiencing a Maori Cultural
show and Hangi at either Tamaki Maori Village or Mitai. Please advise your guide
if you wish to attend and your guide can make the necessary reservations.
These shows usually commence at 6.00pm and you will be picked up from and
dropped off at your accommodation.
Rotorua Tour #3
Pick up from your accommodation: 9.00am.
Kuirau Park
The northern end of Rotorua has a public park that is definitely alive and well.
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
Whakarewarewa
The tour includes the special viewing of the Pohutu Geyser, meaning
big splash or explosion, where Mother Nature’s power and force is on display
through the water vapour eruption up to 30 meters tall, usually every hour.
Traditional culture performances will be held at 11.15am and you are free to
join either session. The performances will include Waiata a ringa
(singing an action song), Poi dancing and Haka. You will be invited to join the
performers at the end and experience the best Maori Culture has on offer firsthand.
Make your Maori Culture encounter even more special with a Hangi meal
Rotorua Museum
The Bath House, which today houses Rotorua Museum of Art and History
Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa, was once a famous geothermal spa which
offered therapeutic treatments to visitors from all over the world.
Ohinemutu Village
Another area of prominence within Maori settlement of this area is Ohinemutu,
the home to the Ngati Whakaue tribe for hundreds of years and host to many
visitors since the early 1880's. A feature of Ohinemutu is St. Faiths Church,
built in Tudor style in 1910. Its interior is richly decorated in woven Maori wall panels
and carvings. A window that looks out over the lake shows Jesus Christ, dressed in
a traditional Maori cloak, and he appears to be walking on the water. Discovered by
A Te Arawa chief called Ihenga,he persuaded his people to move from the coastal area of
Maketu to Ohinemutu, this was unusual for Maori as they were coastal dwelling people
reliant on the foods of the sea.
Hinemoa Point
Family Marae: at one time there lived a beautiful and high ranking young maiden by the
name of Hinemoa, the daughter of a very influential chief at the time.
They lived at Owhata on the eastern shores of Lake Rotorua. Because of her rank,
Hinemoa was declared puhi (tapu or sacred). A husband would be chosen for
her when she reached maturity by the elders in her hapu (sub tribe) and her family.
Many people came from far and wide to seek the hand of Hinemoa whose beauty and
grace were well known. However none of the suitors gained the approval of the tribe.
She fell in love with a young warrior of no significance called Tutanekai and their uniting has
created many of the Te Arawa tribe descendants that live in Rotorua today.
Additional Notes
After the visit Hinemoa Point you will be dropped off at your accommodation
at approximately 4.30pm. Additional to this tour you have the option
of experiencing a Maori Cultural Show and Hang at either Tamaki or Mitai.
Please advise your guide if you wish to attend and your guide will make
the necessary bookings on your behalf. These shows usually commence at 6.00 pm
and you will be picked up from and dropped off at your accommodation.