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Voted our most popular Tour - This tour is perfect for people wanting a full day sightseeing this diverse landscape including Mt Maunganui, NZ Kiwi and farming country, the Rotorua 8 lakes, with a focus on the geothermal area of Whakarewarewa village. Enjoy a brief concert here emphasising the rich Maori culture with song, dance and stories.
On the way to Rotorua, 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 plan to stop so you can see these vines in full foilage/fruit) and typical NZ pastoral farmland to our furthest inland destination, Rotorua. 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. visit the mud pools of Kuirau Park, take a peek at the geysers (incl. famous Pohutu)
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
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.
walk north from your gangway along the wharf for 150 m and 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 flagpole. We will be holding, or near, a sign with your name on it and wearing a black Polo shirt.
Itinerary
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1
Stop and talk about this beautiful area, we tell how that James Cook discovered in 1769
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
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
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
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
50 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
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
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
5
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)
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
(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.
Admission ticket free -
6
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.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
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.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8
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
25 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9
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.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
If time allows, we drive by this Historic site on the way to the Tarawera lookout, although there is not much to see, it being buried
Admission ticket free -
10
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
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
11
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
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
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.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date 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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