Top 20 Experiences in Rotorua
Mitai Maori Village Cultural Experience in Rotorua
Enter the world of Mitai Māori Village and embrace our history and culture. Watch our stories unfold through the dynamic scenes of our warriors paddling down Wai-o-Whiro stream, the melodious sounds of our instruments and entertainment from our performers including the haka. Satisfy your hunger with the traditional Māori Hangi and concluding your evening with a walk through our forest to see the ancient, fortified village learning the old ways of living and survival of our people and discover the natural resource Te Puna a Tuhoe, freshwater spring. The evening is not over until you glimpse the glow worms light up the banks of forest as the veil of darkness sets in. Nau mai, haere mai, whakatau mai – come and experience our world…
Rotorua Rafting - Kaituna River White Water Rafting
Spend one adrenaline-crammed hour of white water rafting down the Kaituna River on this tour from Rotorua. Start at a spot where wild waters meet subtropical rainforests and canyons engraved in the earth. Raft past beautiful cascading waterfalls, including the stunning Tutea Falls, and even take the opportunity to do some swimming through some of the rapids. This tour is good for novice and expert rafters.
Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū
Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, its blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū offers 4-hour evening events that change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar. Across summer, Tū Te Rā celebrates an abundant harvest, and we explore concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace. Throughout winter, Tū Te Ihi marks promise heralded by the arrival of the Matariki star cluster which high and bright in winter skies, signalling the new lunar year – we share the energy and passion of this celebration. Cultural knowledge unique to each season is shared from the outset – rituals, songs, stories and continue across the night. From the beginning too, we share local, seasonal kai - plentiful and delicious. Kai horotai (indigenous canapes) is followed by a torch lit walk to a lavish 3-course fusion feast.
Hobbiton Day Tour from Rotorua with lunch at Hobbiton
Setting out from Rotorua, your Hobbiton Movie Set Tour starts with a scenic drive across to Matamata where your local driver guide will provide informative commentary and share stories about the region and its history. Take a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set and learn how this picturesque farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle Earth. Your guide will show you Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Party Tree, the Mill, and many other structures from the movies. Then enjoy a tasty lunch at The Party Marquee before making your way back to Rotorua.
Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas
Experience the rejuvenating powers of the world-famous mud bath & sulphur spas at Hell’s Gate. Used by local Maori for over 800 years, open and clean your skin by lathering it in the unique mud, before exfoliating and cleansing with a soak in the sulphur spa. While you relax, take the opportunity to admire the geothermal reserve. Your body and soul will feel revitalized after this soothing experience.
Ziplining Forest Adventure - The Original Canopy Tour Rotorua
Nowhere else in the world can you soar through an untouched New Zealand Forest and become a part of a conservation success story all in one! Since James and Andrew opened our doors in 2012, we have been working hard to preserve one of New Zealand’s most unique and untouched forests. We created this experience to transport you into a Jurassic world, showcasing New Zealand’s unique plants and wildlife. You help this project; your entry contributes back to our conservation efforts to save this ancient world. Thank you for your support! You will be part of a small group (maximum 10 per group) with two of our knowledgeable kiwi guides who will delight you, making sure you safely enjoy every moment. Ask as many questions as you'd like and capture the moments with pictures and videos (although we have free photos of your experience for you after the tour). There’s good reason we have been named the best nature activity in the world! – come and see for yourself!
The Hell's Gate Experience
Spend a few hours experiencing the wonders of Rotorua’s most unique geothermal reserve at Hell’s Gate. Take part in the guided or self-guided interactive geothermal walk, before trying your hand at Maori carving in the interactive carving house. Then indulge in our geothermal mud and sulphur waters, experiencing the healing properties local Maori have been using for centuries. It’s a Rotorua experience you’ll never forget. Complimentary guided tours depart daily, please see Hell's Gate website for latest departure times.
Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour
Experience the warmth of our Legacy Guided Tours through New Zealand’s iconic Maori village. Our village guides are direct descendants of the early Māori guides who’s legacy shaped tourism in New Zealand for generations. Their insights, knowledge and legendary hospitality (manaakitanga) adds depth and richness to the experience you’ll have at Whakarewarewa.
Rotorua based Small Group Morning Tour Waimangu and Wai O Tapu
Elite Adventures tours depart from Rotorua at 8 am. Pickups are scheduled for between 8 am and 8.30 am depending on your accommodation (will be listed under the pickup tab) This Elite Adventures tour first journeys to Wai O Tapu, one of the world's most surreal geothermal locations. Here you and you will be guided around a collection of stunning colorful geothermal features such as the Champagne pool and the Devil's Bath. Following Wai O Tapu our journey will guide you to the Lady Knox geyser, who is very punctual and only goes once a day. At the conclusion of the geyser eruption, our journey leads you to Waimangu Valley, the youngest geothermal ecosystem in the world. Please call within 24 hours of tour to reconfirm booking We do not pick up from the port of Tauranga
Okere Falls Zipline Experience
Are you ready to soar over waterfalls, zoom through pristine native forests, and be enlightened through a hands-on cultural and ecological experience in Okere Falls, Rotorua? If so, then Rotorua Ziplines has you covered. Suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities, a network of ziplines, swing bridges, and boardwalks will have you in awe for 2.5 hours as you fly, walk and gaze at the stunning taiao (Environment) that is Ōkere. Born through an intimate connection with the Ōkere Awa (Kaituna River), this joint venture between Ngāti Hinerangi and Rotorua Rafting’s Ōkere Falls born and bred, Sam Sutton, has been created to showcase its mauri (spirit) and importance with Aotearoa’s soon to be premier zipline experience. Ensuring that our taiao is enhanced through the very operation will have every guest leaving a tree in their name as Rotorua Ziplines reforestation project plant its way towards 60,000 native trees by the end of 2025 to see Ōkere Falls thrive for generations to come.
Rotorua Duck Boat Guided City and Lakes Tour
Discover Rotorua on a unique 90-105 minute sightseeing adventure on-board a WWII amphibious vehicle able to travel on land and water! Our tours leave at regular intervals from a central city location and explore Rotorua's most stunning scenery. We have 18 lakes in the Rotorua region all set within lush native New Zealand bush. Our tours are fully guided as well with our tour guides covering everything from Maori migration, geothermal history, history of Rotorua and much more.
Katoa Jet Boat tour on Lake Rotorua
FEEL THE EXCITEMENT AND EXHILARATION ON LAKE ROTORUA WITH KATOA JET Experience the white-knuckle rush of a 30 minute jet boat tour on Lake Rotorua. Feel the rush and power as our V8 engine boats push you through the water, reaching speeds up to 85km/hr. Visit iconic landmarks including Kawaha Point, the Sacred Mokoia Island and Sulphur Bay, while discovering the history of the area. This is a very unique experience that won't disappoint. Suitable for all ages . Come and have fun with all the family or friends.Groups are welcome . We can carry 50 people at once with our 3 boats . We supply spray jackets if required and life jackets are mandatory. So come and give us a go. This is not to be missed when you visit Rotorua.
Twilight Kayak Glow worm Tour
This is a once in a life-time experience and different from any other Glowworm Tour you'll go on! Our adventure begins late afternoon / early evening at Riverside Adventures' base in South Waikato. Paddle along the southern edge of Lake Karapiro, over the old submerged Horahora Dam that produced electricity for the early Waihi goldfields. Learn the history of the Horahora village and enjoy the twilight & silence of being on the water as the day draws to an end. As night arrives over the lake , paddle slowly up the Pokaiwhenua Stream and through the canyon carved out by water over many hundreds of years. Native ferns & trees drape over you, bird life is all around. When darkness falls we float silently back downstream, being guided by the glow worms on either side sparkling like Christmas lights.
Rotorua Highlights Small Group Tour Including Te Puia from Auckland
Experience the world famous geothermal and Maori cultural wonders of Te Puia. This unforgettable tour combines natures power and beauty with Maori culture all in one day. Highlights: • Te Puia Geothermal Park & Pohutu • Maori Cultural Village and Arts School • Rotorua City Highlights • Waikato Farm Region While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it’s our small groups, guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember. This day tour gives you the time to explore Te Puia and participate in the extra options if you choose, unlike many other tours. Led by our passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing stories and rich background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.
Ziplining Forest Experience - The Ultimate Canopy Tour Rotorua
Experience New Zealand’s one and only cliff walk, built around a volcanic rock 50-metres above the valley floor. Soar down a 400m tandem Zip-line and race your loved ones. Climb up through the layers of the canopy on our staircases that are truly an amazing engineering feat. This adventure is the ultimate way to explore the ancient giants and lifeforms in this forest that you can’t see anywhere else in the world! Since we opened in 2012 we have been protecting this special place and when you come along, you will be too! A portion of your entry goes straight back to our conservation project to help us continue to rescue and look after this magic place. We take photos for you and they are FREE after your tour via an email link. You are welcome to take as many videos and photos as you like too – you’ll be wanting to share this experience with everyone!
Rotorua Glow Worm Kayaking Tour
Paddle Board Rotorua has a unique flavor of tourism where we treat all of our tours as if we were taking a group of friends on a fun adventure and creating the best time possible. This tour is one of the best things to do in Rotorua and see amazing glow worms. It is family friendly and allows you to be immersed in nature while having fun and learning new kayak skills with our friendly guides and staff.
Mt. Tarawera Volcano Scenic Floatplane Tour from Rotorua
Fly high over breathtaking volcanic landscapes on an unforgettable 30-minute seaplane flight from Rotorua. See New Zealand's world-famous volcanic scenery as you fly over spectacular Mt. Tarawera, the Blue and Green Lakes, and the gurgling geysers of Whakarewareewa Thermal Reserve. Flying at a time to suit you, this scenic air tour will fit into even the busiest of itineraries.
Guided Horse Trekking from Rotorua
Hop into the saddle and experience the best of New Zealand’s great outdoors on this 1 hour horse trekking adventure from Rotorua. Choose the start time to suit your schedule, then follow a guide on horseback into the countryside around Mt. Ngongotaha. Explore green paddocks and working farmland, and enjoy fine views over Lake Rotorua in the distance. This tour includes all safety gear plus wet weather gear if raining.
Mt Tarawera Helicopter Tour with Volcano Landing
Follow the eruption trail of Mt. Tarawera on a helicopter tour that includes a landing on the volcano. Best viewed from the air, the rugged landscape of this geothermal wonder is set amid a series of crater lakes. You'll take off from Rotorua and soar above the Northern Lakes district, listening to commentary about the region’s history and geology from the pilot-guide. Then take a 20-minute walking tour for up-close photo ops of the volcanic scenery.
Tarawera and Rotorua Lakes Eco Tour by Boat with Guide
The Tarawera and Lakes Tour is the best way to appreciate the scenery of the Rotorua lakes district and learn more about the history of the land, the people, and the devastating 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera. This unique 120 minute fully guided adventure takes place on land and water on-board in a genuine WWII Amphibious Duck. Visit 4 of Rotorua's stunning lakes and travel on 3 with the highlight being the stunning Lake Tarawera at the base of the mighty Mt Tarawera. Comfortable seating for all and great for families, couples and single travelers wanting to learn about our rich history and view natural landscapes. We pride ourselves on having tour guides that are highly knowledgeable and engaging. Our tours are done in a small group environment.