Activities in Rotorua & The Bay Of Plenty
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Polynesian Spa
The Polynesian Spa is in the Government Gardens. A bathhouse was opened at these springs in 1882 and people have been swearing by the waters ever since. There is mineral bathing (36°C to 42°C) in several picturesque pools at the lake’s edge, marble-lined terraced pools and a larger, main pool. Also housed in the modern complex are several more commercial activities such as luxury therapies (massage, mud and beauty treatments) as well as a cafe and gift shop.
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Tamaki Maori Village
Maori culture is a major drawcard in Rotorua and, although some find it heavily commercialised, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the indigenous culture of NZ. The two big activities are concerts and hangi meals, often packaged together in an evening’s entertainment that features the famous hongi, haka, and poi dances.
An established favourite is Tamaki Maori Village, which does an excellent twilight tour to a marae (meeting house) and Maori village 15km south of Rotorua. Buses collect from the Hinemaru St booking office and also from most accommodation, and feature a briefing on marae protocol by a Maori ‘entertainer’ (aka hilarious bus driver). The concer…
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Rotorua Maori Hangi Dinner and Performance
3.5 hours (Departs Rotorua, New Zealand)
by Viator
Complete your adventure through Rotorua with a traditional Maori "hangi" feast. You'll travel by coach to Tamaki Maori Village where your local guide will escor…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$79.63 -
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O’Keefe’s Fishing Specialists
There’s always good fishing to be had somewhere around the lakes. You can hire guides to fish for trout or go solo, but either way a licence (per day/season $21/105) is essential, available from O’Keefe’s Fishing Specialists. You can fish Rotorua’s lakefront with a licence, though not all lakes can be fished year-round; check with O’Keefe’s.
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Kaituna River White Water Rafting from Rotorua
3 hours (Departs Rotorua, New Zealand)
by Viator
Kaituna River features grade 5 rapids plus the awesome 7 meter (21 feet) Tutea Falls, the worlds highest commercially rafted waterfall. Take the ultimate thrill…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$75.08 -
Paradise Valley Ventures
The very safe and professional Paradise Valley Ventures takes treks for novices and experienced riders through a 700-acre farm north of Rotorua. Shorter and longer treks also available.
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Blue Ocean Charters
Fishing, diving and sightseeing trips (including one to Tuhua Island) on the TS Ohorere, MV Te Kuia and MV Ratahi.
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Waimarino Adventure Park
Waimarino Adventure Park, on the banks of the Wairoa River, offers freedom kayak hire for leisurely paddles along 12km of flat water, runs self-guided tours further up the river, and sea kayaking trips. Its Glowworm Tour is a magical after-dark journey at McLaren Falls Park where you slip into a secret glowworm-filled wonderland. Waimarino also has an adventure park with a kayak slide, diving board, ropes course, warm pools and wildlife-spotting − a great place to spend a day, especially if there are children in tow.
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Skyline Skyrides
Swinging up Mt Ngongotaha is Skyline Skyrides. This gondola cruises up to a hilltop of fun that features panoramic views of the lake and a speedy luge on which you can scoot part-way back down on three different tracks before coming back up on a chairlift (to do it all over again). For even speedier antics, try the sky swing, a screaming swoosh through the air at speeds of up to 160km/h. Also at the top are a restaurant, a cafe and walking tracks around the mountain.
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Mokoia Island Wai Ora Experiences
Mokoia Island Wai Ora Experiences has exclusive rights to take visitors to Mokoia Island, and offers several tours. The 2½- to three-hour Ultimate Island Experience tour (9.30am, 1pm and 3pm) includes hearing famous tales of the island and takes you to the legendary hot pool of Hinemoa. This is followed by an indigenous food tasting. The shorter 1½- to two-hour Taste of Mokoia tour is similar but with less of a walkabout.
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Mitai Maori Village
This family-run outfit offers a popular three-hour evening event of concert performance, hangi and glowworm bushwalk, which can be combined with a tour of Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park next door where you can enjoy the coloured nightlights and walk through the open Kiwi enclosure (four hours total, adult/child under 9/child under 15 $116/31.50/63). Pick-ups are available.
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Active Volcano Helicopter Landings from Rotorua
by Viator
Imagine taking a helicopter flight over an active volcano Well, here is your chance to do just that on a sightseeing tour of Rotorua by helicopter. You'll spot …
Not LP reviewed
from USD$587.74 -
Mamaku Blue
You may find grapes overrated once you’ve visited this blueberry winery. There are delicious daily tastings, and also on offer are other blueberry delights such as chocolates, chutneys, jams, sauces, vinegars and liqueurs. Take a tour and find out more, and visit the upstairs museum which has a collection of photos documenting the history of the area.
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Agrodome
At the educational Agrodome learn everything you need to know about sheep during a show that parades champion rams, runs a livestock auction, and shows shearing and doggy displays. The tour lets you check out farm animals including, among others, sheep. Other agro-attractions include a woollen mill display, souvenir shop and the Farmview Café.
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Rotorua Eco Thermal Small Group Full-Day Tour
8 hours (Departs Rotorua, New Zealand)
by Viator
Tour Rotorua's most popular geothermal parks and colorful lakes on a day trip led by a local naturalist guide. You'll see the Lady Knox Geyser erupt, visit the …
Not LP reviewed
from USD$166.84 -
Wai Ora Spa
Beyond the airport, Wai Ora Spa at Hell’s Gate has a full program of massage, mud and spa treatments.
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Mana Adventures
To explore the lake under your own steam, head for Mana Adventures, which offers (weather permitting) rental of pontoon boats (per hour $95), pedal boats (20 minutes per adult/child $8/5) and kayaks (per hour/half day $25/50). It also runs one-hour lake cruises (per adult/child $55/30) and runs trout-fishing charters.
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Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
If you feel like exploring, take a dip south of Rotorua at the outdoor Waikite Valley Thermal Pools.
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Rotorua Eco Thermal Small Group Morning Tour
3 hours (Departs Rotorua, New Zealand)
by Viator
Take a unique half-day journey through Rotorua's geothermal parks on a morning trip led by a local naturalist guide. You'll watch the Lady Knox Geyser erupt and…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$106.17 -
Skydive Rotorua
by Viator
Take the ultimate leap of faith with a tandem skydive over Rotorua. Feel the rush of the wind as you free-fall for up to one minute before floating gently back …Not LP reviewed
from USD$204.00 Advertisement
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves Discovery Tour from Rotorua
6 hours (Departs Rotorua, New Zealand)
by Viator
Explore the mystical Waitomo Glowworm Caves, discover the galleries and lofty chambers and take a boat ride through the Glowworm grotto – lit up by thousands of…Not LP reviewed
from USD$143.08 -
Mt. Tarawera Volcano Scenic Floatplane Tour from Rotorua
30 minutes (Departs Rotorua, New Zealand)
by Viator
Fly high over breathtaking volcanic landscapes on an unforgettable 30-minute seaplane flight from Rotorua. See New Zealand's world-famous volcanic scenery as yo…Not LP reviewed
from USD$147.88 -
Rotorua to Auckland via Waitomo Glowworm Caves One-Way Tour
7 hours 30 minutes (Departs Rotorua, concludes Auckland, New Zealand)
by Viator
Depart Rotorua in the morning and travel over the scenic Mamaku Ranges as the tour heads west to Waitomo. As you leave Rotorua, the coach will travel through th…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$168.36 -
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Volcanic Air Safaris
Float-plane and helicopter flights from the lakefront, including a combined flight and Mokoia Island experience or combined helicopter flight and guided tour of Hell’s Gate. The company also runs a 3¼-hour trip exploring White Island and Mt Tarawera.
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'Lord of the Rings' Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
4 hours 30 minutes (Departs Rotorua, New Zealand)
by Viator
Lord of the Rings trilogy fans – return to the lands of Middle-earth and the Shire on this fascinating half-day tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set from Rotorua. See…Not LP reviewed
from USD$75.08
