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***ALL OUR TOURS START & END TO FIT THE CRUISE SHIPS' ARRIVAL & SAILING TIMES***
Rotorua is the 2nd most visited city in New Zealand by all tourists. As you only have a small window of opportunity to visit we have created an itinerary to showcase some of what we think makes this place so special. The two main interests which make people visit is Maori Culture & Geothermal Activity. This tour showcases the area where your ship is docked (Mount Maunganui) before we depart for the city of Rotorua. Enroute we showcase all which creates the namesake of the Bay of Plenty. Arriving at Rotorua's only Living Maori Village of its kind - Whakarewarewa - you will receive a traditional welcome and invited by a local to join them on a guided tour of this unique place. A village which lives on top of an active geothermal valley and has learnt to harness the powers of mother nature to aid their daily living needs for 100's of year. See geysers, steaming fumaroles , bubbling hot pools and much more.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
There is a flagpole directly outside the main port of Tauranga office buiding, which is on the corner of Salisbury Ave and The Mall. We will be standing alongside our large whiteboard positioned on the grass area under the flagpole.
Itinerary
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1
ALL TOURS DEPARTURE TIMES WILL FIT WITH SHIPS ARRIVAL AND SAILING TIMES. It is just a 2 minute walk from disembarkation place on port of Tauranga to tour meeting place.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Mount Maunganui is voted New Zealands number 1 beach and seaside resort. With its iconic Mauao - a volcanic lava dome, 232 mtrs high standing proudly at the headland and the 22kms of beautiful white sandy beach, not forgetting to mention Marine Parade which showcases some of New Zealand most expensive and luxurious holiday homes - this is not a place to miss seeing.
Admission ticket free -
2
Kiwifruit capital of New Zealand. We are the 2nd largest supplier of kiwifruit in the world. Te Puke and its surrounding district supplies approx 184 million trays each year . Thats a lot of little kiwifruit. We will stop by an orchard for you to get up close and hear some more about this industry
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
On arrival into Rotorua - we will visit the Redwood Forest - Over 5600 hectares of forest awaits you. The forest is well known for the superb mountain biking and walking tracks and for the magnificent stand of Californian Coast Redwoods. These towering trees, along with numerous other species and the fresh forest air, combine to create an invigorating atmosphere and a truly unique and special environment for us to set up a tasting table of local kiwifruit and honey's'. It really is quite a spectacular place - which you wont want to miss.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
The Government Gardens are situated on the lake's edge in central downtown Rotorua.This site is of legendary and historical importance to local Maori people, for here many significant battles have taken place. In the late 1800s, the Maori people gifted 50 acres of this land to the crown "for the benefit of the people of the world". On entering Rotorua's Government Gardens, via the Prince's Gate Arches, you would be forgiven for thinking you had stepped into an Edwardian picture book. This isn't the whole picture though. We will explain more on the day - and allow a short time to peruse the gardens and Rachesl ancient hot spring. NB: Unfortunately the buildings are currently undergoing some contruction so no opportunity to go inside these.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
We will continue a little further along the road to find a lovely cafe - where you can purchases yourself some lunch, and /or wander around the lakefront of central Rotorua. The lunch venue will be what is available on the day - we may take you to the cafe at the Living Maori Village if the lakefront one is fully booked. Neither are very large cafe's.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
Directly after lunch - you now get to visit the unique thermal wonderland of Whakarewarewa, an amazing landscape of erupting hot springs, bubbling mud and the famous Pohutu Geyser, which erupts up to 20 times a day. Take a walking tour with a Maori guide to hear how people came to live in harmony with this volatile environment, learning to use the boiling cauldrons and jets of steam for everyday purposes such as cooking and communal bathing. After learning about Maori traditions and culture, see this way of life in action when you visit New Zealand's only authentic living Maori village. Experience a traditional Maori welcome with songs and dances, including the famously war like Haka dance.
2 hours • Admission ticket included -
7
Complete your Rotorua shore excursion with a short stop at the Kaituna Rapids and Trout Pool. We might get to see the white water rafters coming through here. The Kaituna River is the outflow from Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti, and flows northwards for 45 kilometres, emptying into the Bay of Plenty. It has relevant Maori history and provides a glimpse into how / why NZ'ers love the outdoors so much.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Worry-free Shore Excursion: We can amend tour start and end times to fit with ships arrival & departures. Zealandier Tours has been delivering Shore Excursions for over 10 years and knows exactly what the cruise passenger is wanting on their excursion. Providing our guests the maximum of • Experiences, Scenic Splendours & Unique Cultures in the allotted timeframes which you have. • Our emphasis is on your comfort, safety, attention to details, and guarantees a quality experience. • We recognize you see a lot of our coast line but not so much of our landscapes, therefore our itineraries are very full to add value to your day. • Zealandier Tours staff are professional and personal and are prepared to go the extra mile to ensure your vacation experience in New Zealand is extraordinary. We will ensure your timely return to the Tauranga port for this activity. In the rare event - should your ship have departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of call.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes
- Please bring sun protection and jackets for cooler weather
- Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
- ALL OUR TOURS HAVE FLEXIBLE START / END TIMES TO MEET SHIP ARRIVAL & SAILING TIMES.
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience 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.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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