Top Rotorua Day Trips

Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna

(2,125)

from $81

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

Rotorua Canopy Tours: 2.5Hour Native Forest Zipline Adventure

Hobbiton Day Tour from Rotorua with lunch at Hobbiton

(4,662)

from $120

Special Offer

7 hoursFree Cancellation

Special Offer

Rotorua based Small Group Morning Tour Waimangu and Wai O Tapu

5 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Mitai Maori Village Cultural Experience in Rotorua

Katoa Jet Boat tour on Lake Rotorua

4.6

(1,401)

from $102

30 minutesFree Cancellation

Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua

(122)

from $66

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.

4.6

(227)

from $39

Rotorua Duck Boat Guided City and Lakes Tour

1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutesFree Cancellation

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

(665)

from $54

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

11 hoursFree Cancellation

Discover New Zealand’s geothermal hotspots on a day trip from Rotorua to Lake Taupo, stopping to explore one of two remarkable destinations. Select Orakei Korako to see terraced pools of steaming water, or opt for Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland’s otherworldly colors. Limited to 11 people for more personal service, this day trip includes pickup and drop-off at centrally-located hotels, as well as entrance fees at the geothermal site.

(3)

from $186

Taupo Day Trip with Orakei Korako or Waiotapu from Rotorua

7 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(28)

from $174

Glow Worm Kayak Tour

Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū

(394)

from $136

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.

(1,682)

from $169

Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour

(742)

from $75

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

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.

(2,603)

from $162

Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.9

(526)

from $90

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.

Rotorua White Water Rafting | Kaitiaki Adventures + Transport

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

(812)

from $81

12 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

(132)

from $232

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

8 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour

(1)

from $452

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.

Rotorua White Water Rafting | Kaitiaki Adventures + Transport

Justin_S, Jul 2026

Great exciting adventure even in winter!

Exhilarating! Amazing! Terrifying! What a shot of adrenaline! We had a blast and our guide was super professional and friendly and helpful. Highly recommend this adventure. My partner needs a cane for balance and everyone on the boat was super helpful and accommodating to her.

Glow Worm Kayak Tour

Lois_W, Jun 2026

Incredible evening adventure

One of the top visitor adventures I’ve ever been on!! Expert-level guides whose narration and friendly banter made it a fun, safe and incredibly memorable experience. Definitely recommend for all levels of experience, even for those with reduced mobility. Guides Ellen and Forrest shared so much local knowledge, cultural insights and ecological details - educational and entertaining too. Thanks for a tremendous evening on the water! 🙏🏽✨

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

Michelle_C, Feb 2026

Don't miss this!

This should not be missed! We saw some excellent geothermal sights, went on a beautiful hike (downhill with a return bus ride- yeah!) through a lush green forest, which would have been scenic enough even without the geothermal pools but that just made it so interesting! We saw geysers and colorful pools, heard about the fascinating volcanic and geothermal disasters that have occurred, and got outstanding commentary from our tourguide throughout. It was entertaining even for the kids on the tour. Also great that he got us to see the once daily geyser event without having to stick around to battle crowds- it was timed and coordinated perfectly. If you are coming to Rotorua you have to come on this tour!

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