Top Rotorua Day Trips

Taupo Day Trip with Orakei Korako or Waiotapu from Rotorua

7 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(28)

from $172

Go on an adrenaline-filled rafting excursion down the Kaituna River on a half-day adventure tour from Rotorua. The river tumbles past a subtropical rainforest lining a deep canyon. Raft over Tutea Falls—a thrilling experience for first-time or experienced rafters. The tour operates in all seasons and there are several departure times daily so you can choose one that suits your schedule.

Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna

Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna

Get an authentic introduction to Māori culture the way few tourists do, with an evening at the Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua. See men in traditional dress paddle down the river in a waka (canoe) and be captivated by the displays of weaponry. Watch a haka war dance and poi performance, and spot glowworms in their natural habitat. This evening experience includes round-trip hotel transport and a traditional buffet hangi feast, so you don't have to worry about a thing.

(2,136)

from $81

Mitai Maori Village Cultural Experience in Rotorua

4.6

(1,408)

from $101

Soar through a 1,000-year-old native New Zealand forest on six ziplines reaching speeds up to 37 miles (60 kilometers) per hour. Cross suspended swing bridges and explore treetop platforms while looking out for native birds such as toutouwai and kererū. This half-day guided eco-adventure includes free digital photos, wet-weather gear, and return transport, with every booking supporting forest restoration. Suitable for families and groups of all ages.

Rotorua Canopy Tours: 2.5Hour Native Forest Zipline Adventure

This one-way small group tour from Rotorua to Auckland is a journey through New Zealand's stunning landscapes and geothermal wonders. Witness the Lady Knox Geyser at Wai-O-Tapu, explore the magnificent Lake Taupo, and marvel at the beauty of Huka Falls. The tour concludes at the enchanting Hamilton Gardens, showcasing a variety of themed gardens. With knowledgeable guides sharing their insights, this tour offers a seamless travel experience that includes secret stops and complimentary refreshments. Perfect for travelers looking to explore key attractions in a relaxed, small group setting. - One-way small group tour from Rotorua to Auckland, approx. 11 hours - Visit Wai-O-Tapu, Lake Taupo, Huka Falls, and Hamilton Gardens - Enjoy guided tours with insights from passionate local guides - Includes entry tickets, bottled water, snacks, and secret stops along the way

(4,664)

from $119

Rotorua to Auckland via Taupo and Hamilton Gardens Tour (one-way)

11 hoursFree Cancellation

Rotorua based Small Group Morning Tour Waimangu and Wai O Tapu

(3)

from $185

5 hoursFree Cancellation

Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū

(382)

from $137

Adventurous travelers will love this glowworm-spotting tour with a difference. As the sun gets lower in the sky, paddle in a kayak on Lake Karapiro and along the Pokaiwhenua Stream. You’ll see beautiful native plants and bird life, and rock formations that have been naturally carved over centuries. Once the light disappears, you’ll see thousands of glowworms lighting your way. This tour is a fun way to experience some of New Zealand’s best natural attractions.

(1,688)

from $167

Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.9

(526)

from $89

Travelers in Rotorua don’t need to travel all the way to Waitomo to see twinkling glow-worms: there are groves in forests near the city, but you have to know where to look. Take an evening bush walk to see these increasingly rare creatures, and avoid getting lost as your guide leads the way. The evening timing means you can easily fit the tour into other daytime activities in and around Rotorua.

Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour

(747)

from $75

Glow Worm Kayak Tour

(395)

from $134

Rotorua Full Day Tour Including Rapids Jet, Wai-O-Tapu & Te Pa Tu

8 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Rotorua Highlights Tour: Waiotapu, Hot Tubs & Lunch from Auckland

(1)

from $448

12 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

(132)

from $230

Rotorua’s Ultimate Zipline: 6 ziplines, 400 m Tandem, Cliff Walk

Race each other down a 400m tandem zipline!

Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua

(2,607)

from $161

Challenge yourself against the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall and enjoy outdoor adventure on this Kaituna River white-water rafting trip from Rotorua. Hop into your raft in the Kahikitea Forest and take to the waves with a guide. Navigate steep canyons through native forest and test your nerve over 14 challenging rapids. Splash, paddle, and roll through New Zealand’s spectacular scenery with all safety equipment and hotel transfers included.

4.6

(232)

from $39

Rotorua White Water Rafting | Kaitiaki Adventures + Transport

Experience the majesty of volcanic Mt. Tarawera and gain insight into New Zealand’s rich geology on this half-day guided hike from Rotorua. Travel off-road into the central North Island wilderness and follow winding hiking trails from the base of Mt. Tarawera up to the crater’s edge. Learn about its destructive 1886 eruption. Admire panoramic views over the geothermal Waimangu Valley. Enjoy free hotel pickup and drop-off for added convenience.

(813)

from $81

Rotorua Hiking: Mt Tarawera Guided Volcanic Crater Experience

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.9

(338)

from $117

Discover Rotorua from a different angle on a fun “duck” tour. This sightseeing adventure takes you aboard an authentic World War II-era amphibious vehicle, able to travel on land and water. Start with a city tour before splashing down into a couple of Rotorua’s many scenic lakes. Listen to live commentary about Rotorua’s history and local landmarks along the way. A family-friendly tour that everyone will enjoy.

Rotorua Duck Boat Guided City and Lakes Tour

1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutesFree Cancellation

Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour

(669)

from $53

Top Attractions in Rotorua

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Attractions

What are people saying about Rotorua

Denis_I, Aug 2026

A real nighttime adventure — amazing for both kids and adults

One of the most unusual and memorable experiences of our trip to New Zealand. The forest feels completely different at night: the silence, the torchlight, huge ferns and other endemic plants, nocturnal insects, glowworms, and a waterfall in the darkness. And when you switch off the torches, look up at the incredible starry sky and simply listen to the forest — that is a very special moment. We initially thought this experience would be mostly exciting for the kids, but the adults enjoyed it just as much. A huge part of that is the guide — he is fantastic! He tells you about New Zealand nature in such an interesting and engaging way, constantly pointing out things you would never notice on your own. It feels like a real nighttime exploration rather than a standard guided tour. Another wonderful bonus is that he takes great photos throughout the walk, so you come away with some beautiful memories of the experience. A warm, atmospheric and genuinely unique adventure. Highly recommended!

Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

Sadie_C, Jul 2026

Magical glowworm experience!

This was a magical experience! The kayak up the canyon was absolutely gorgeous, and floating back down through the glowworms was honestly otherworldly. We were lucky that it was a calm and clear night, so we got to see the stars reflecting on the lake too! Would 100% recommend this experience for seeing glowworms.

Glow Worm Kayak Tour

Annalise_C, Jul 2026

Absolutely Beautiful! My...

Absolutely Beautiful! My partner and I went and it was just us. It was a beautiful "Private tour" with an absolutely amazing down to earth tour guide. It rained a little but turned out to be a clear night seeing 2 different lights the stars and the glow worms. Could not recommend this tour enough. So beautiful!

Rotorua Hiking: Mt Tarawera Guided Volcanic Crater Experience

SooEng_T, May 2026

Totally enjoyable experience for healthy hikers

Definitely a proper hike with good downhill gradient. Gaiters are provided. Bring strong knees and good footwear. Wind and cold can be brutal at the summit in winter. Excellent guides which provides a huge wealth of information about the mountains and Māori traditions. Also kind support to navigate the mountain.

Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna

Rolando_Q, May 2026

Unforgettable White Water Rafting Adventure with an Amazing Guide!

We had an incredible experience white water rafting on the Kaituna River with Rotorua Rafting! Our tour guide, Jack, brought such great energy to the entire adventure and made the experience both exciting and enjoyable from start to finish. Jack explained everything clearly, let us know exactly what to expect, and made us feel safe and confident the entire time on the river. You could tell they were very experienced and genuinely cared about everyone having a great time. This was easily one of the highlights of our trip to Rotorua. Highly recommend for anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure and an amazing rafting experience!

Rotorua’s Ultimate Zipline: 6 ziplines, 400 m Tandem, Cliff Walk

Carolyn_P, Mar 2026

Wow! Don’t think twice!...

Wow! Don’t think twice! Just book the ultimate experience right now. It’s worth every dollar and I wish it lasted longer! Or better yet, that we had time to go again! This was my first Zipline experience and my husband is not a fan of heights…and we both absolutely loved this activity! Our team was awesome. They kept us safe and feeling fully capable. We grew quite close to our group and it was really cool to see everyone overcoming a sense of fear or worry. You can do this! It was epic!

Rotorua based Small Group Morning Tour Waimangu and Wai O Tapu

mykola_k, Feb 2026

Great introduction to Rotorua’s geothermal wonders

A very well-organized small group tour covering Wai-O-Tapu, Lady Knox Geyser, and Waimangu Valley. Each stop was unique, with incredible geothermal landscapes and plenty of time to explore without feeling rushed. The Lady Knox eruption was a highlight, and Waimangu’s scenery felt truly otherworldly. Transport was smooth, timing was perfect, and the small group size made the experience relaxed and enjoyable. Highly recommended if you want an efficient and memorable overview of Rotorua’s geothermal sites.

Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua

Ulrike_M, Jan 2026

Farm Entertainment at Its Finest

This tour is worth the money, informative and definitely family fun. You learn about sheep breeds, witness how a sheep is sheared and see working dogs interacting with sheep. There is some interactions of the audience on stage. The second part is a tractor pulled trailer ride across the farm which allows interactions with farm animals.

Rotorua Duck Boat Guided City and Lakes Tour

Julia_T, Dec 2025

Duck Boat Tour

This is one of our Favourite must do Activities when we are in Rotorua, you have got to have this on your "To Do List" Great Price, great way to travel around Rotorua, see the Lakes, great "History Commentries/Stories" about the area by our Driver Tim...he was pretty knowledgeable and informed plus pretty funny and we had great weather to boot This is our 2nd time doing this Activity, we went back with more Family members.....just Loved this Tour