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Rotorua via Kiwi/lakes country & a visit to iconic Whakarewarewa

66 Reviews 4.62 out of 5 stars Based on 66 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 94% of reviewers
94% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Tauranga, New Zealand
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from $167.50 per person

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Rotorua via Kiwi/lakes country & a visit to iconic Whakarewarewa Image 1
Wakarewarewa
Geysers
Lake Okareka
Rotorua via Kiwi/lakes country & a visit to iconic Whakarewarewa Image 5
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 24 (0) days in advance.
6 to 8 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

This tour is perfect for people wanting a full day sightseeing our diverse landscape incl. Mt Maunganui. Marvel at beautiful beaches and multimillion dollar homes, before a 45 minute drive from the coast slowly ascending up the central plateau, through Kiwifruit plantations (we stop at an orchard so you can see these vines in full foilage/fruit) and typical NZ pastoral farmland to our furthest inland destination, Rotorua Rotorua 8 lakes, with a focus on the geothermal area of Whakarewarewa Maori village (est. late 1800's) Enjoy a 30 min concert emphasising the rich Maori culture with song, dance and stories, as well as a mesmerizing walk through their geothermally active wetland where you get close up to bubbling boiling hot springs and mud pools. . Take in the most popular sites of interest - Blue & Green lakes, view Mt Tarawera (erupted 1886) across the most gorgeous lake, walk through NZ native bush full of ferns and tall podocarps like an 1800's pioneer or Maori warrior.

What's Included

  • Bottled water
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Port pickup and drop off
  • Lunch
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Port of Tauranga

Pickup details

After you disembark from your vessel, walk north from your gangway along the wharf for 150/200 yards, then exit the Port controlled customs gate. Just 20 m on the other side of this gate we will be waiting on a grassy knoll besides a flagpoles. We will be holding, or near, a sign with your name on it, and wearing black Polo short sleeved shirts. Because this is a group tour, we ask our guests to respect two requests: Please be considered in your questions of the Tour Guide, he/she will appreciate well considered enquiries that the answers the we give (if we have them) will be appreciated by all the other travellers onboard. Also there is a maximum of 15 pax aboard our comfortable 20 seater coach. We attempt to never squeeze you in. We want our guests to really enjoy their day, and also request that guests spend less than 5 minutes per 30 minutes referring to their devices, so that can fully appreciate, and immerse themselves in the visual feast that we aspire to show you.

OR
Meeting point

4 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.

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

What To Expect

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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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Mt Maunganui Main Beach

Stop and talk about this beautiful area, we tell how that James Cook discovered in 1769
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Kiwifruit Country

Driving through 25,000 acres of Te Puke kiwi orchards, we give you a comprehensive and interesting narrative on the development of this fruit in our country, a brief rundown of the techniques utilised in growing it and it's importance to our local economy, as well as we stop at kurts 12 acre orchard for a closer inspection. You'll be impressed, I assure you
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Mangorewa River

We head to Rotorua via a beautifully scenic route with excellent examples of native fauna of this region great views of the Pacific Ocean as we head down from the elevated central Plateau
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50 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village

Entry is included into this historic world renowned bubbling geothermal village where local Maori still live today. You will be impressed by a storming 40 minute cultural performance where you will be entertained by the local Māori entertainment troupe with their natural gift for music and dance and a stomping good version of the Haka, a once seen, never forgotten war dance. The Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao village people have a proud history of sharing their stories, song and dance spanning over a century, being the iwi (pronounced “eewee” tribe) that originally guide tourists at the Pink and White Terraces before it was buried in the Mt Tarawera eruption. With our special agreement with iwi (tribe) we can have a peek at the famous Pohutu and Prince of Wales Feathers geysers which put on a natural display of hot gushing groundwater heated by the geothermal activity beneath it. Another highlight is a 30 minute walk through their very geothermally active natural wetland zone
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1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Lake Okareka Walkway

An elevated spot where you are welcome to take postcard like photos with the idyllic Lake Okareka in the foreground and its many stunning lakefront holiday homes and the once lively and active Mt Tarawera (presently dormant) in the background.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Polynesian Spa (pass by)

Optional to soak in these soothing mineral waters or a mud massage only found in Rotorua. This is in a wonderful setting, but we really do recommend this as a winter attraction as most of the 10 or so natural hot mineral pools are at or close to body temperature. You can choose to sub out the Whakarewarewa concert and Geothermal walk for this if you choose at no additional cost.
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Government Gardens

Stop and enjoy the beautiful gardens and the iconic old architecturally significant Rotorua Bathhouse. We encourage you to walk from one side of these gardens to another which is 100 yards so you can get a better experience here, then we pick you up on the other side. Early summer is best here for the full bloom of flowers.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Lake Rotorua

We will select one of 3 fine cafes to stop for lunch, one of which you will have a fine vista of the lake and the large intricately carved meeting house (whare nui)
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Tikitapu Nature Walk

You will enter an prime example of New Zealand native forest, the comments from our past clients range from beautiful to awe inspiring. Abundant with tall podocarps, dozens of different fern varieties including Jurassic Park tree ferns(Actor Sam Neil is from NZ) and to your benefit no poisonous snakes or spiders or scary creepy craw lies or tigers or leeches, so walk through and embrace without a trace of fear. You also have the opportunity to take a 300 m hike into this spellbounding natural space. By all accounts, you will love this stop
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25 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)

Lake Tikitapu (Blue lake), and lake Rotokakahi (green lake), are two gems in the middle of a beautiful native forest. Blue lake is open to everybody and is a nice destination to spend a week-end swimming, boating, barbecuing etc. while the green lake is “tapu” (taboo, forbiden) due to some historical conflict between local tribes… Nice panoramic photo to do in the lookout between these to lakes. Be amazed at the beauty of these Lakes.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Mt. Tarawera

Take in the breath taking view of Mt Tarawera and discover the History of the 1886 eruption. Photo stop extraordinaire. We stop at a very good photo opportunity lookout to view this lake and mountain that has had a large influence on this regions history and landscape, and together with the lake offers a wonderful sight, one of the best on your tour. Mt Tarawera erupted in 1886 and buried the most touristic attraction at the time the Pink and White Terraces as well as the local village. We can see the volcano on the opposite site of the lake. Bring your camera! We may omit travelling to this lookout if time limits us due to early departure of your cruise ship
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Okere Falls

This is the last of our stops (we, hopefully will have time) before our 50 minute journey back to the ship. Here, if you are fit and able, we will descend a 60 step walkway, where at the bottom you will be invigorated as you stand just a metre away from a roaring grade 4 river that drains the large Rotorua and Rotoiti lakes out to the ocean some 40 km away….Enthralling and a great photo opp site
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 11 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Rotorua via Kiwi/lakes country & a visit to iconic Whakarewarewa?

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 (NZDT).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-7974P5

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.62
66 reviews

Average 4.62 out of 5 stars based on 66 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
52
4 stars
10
3 stars
0
2 stars
1
1 star
3
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 24 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Activity name

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

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Rotorua via Kiwi/lakes country & a visit to iconic Whakarewarewa?
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 (NZDT).
  • 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:
  • Bottled water.
  • All Fees and Taxes.
  • Port pickup and drop off.
  • Local guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Lunch.
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 5. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

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 via Kiwi/lakes country & a visit to iconic Whakarewarewa is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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 via Kiwi/lakes country & a visit to iconic Whakarewarewa will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. 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
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Bottled water
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Port pickup and drop off
  • Local guide
  • Lunch

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Report Product Issue

Activity name