Top Rotorua Walking Tours

Learn about Maori culture and see boiling mud pools, geysers, and hot springs by visiting Whakarewarewa Village in Rotorua. To save time waiting in ticket lines, prebooking your admission means you can select an entry slot to suit your travel plans. Then, once inside, join a Maori guide to learn about Maori traditions—including a chance to try food cooked in geothermal pools.

Hop on a free shuttle bus and explore the natural wonders of Waimangu Volcanic Valley at your own pace on this self-guided tour. Combine the experience with a chance to get up close to Lake Rotomahana’s towering geysers and steaming cliffs with a boat cruise across waters infused with geothermal energy.

Enter a world of bubbling mud and powerful geysers with admission to Hell's Gate geothermal park in Rotorua. Once you’re inside the gates, follow a self-guided walkway through this active geothermal field, pausing to explore interactive exhibits along the way and listen to the native birdsong, or take one of the free guided tours, which depart regularly.

Learn about traditional Māori culture on this tour of Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua. Immerse yourself in traditional activities such as chants (mōteatea), songs (waiata), dances, and much more as you discover more about the Māori way of life while exploring the village. Refuel with a tasty buffet lunch with traditional fare such as meat and vegetables cooked in the hangi underground oven.

Explore the well-marked paths of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland with this admission ticket that grants you all-day access to one of New Zealand’s most popular geothermal parks, just outside Rotorua. Stroll past gurgling mud pools, volcanic craters, and steaming lakes at your own pace. Consult your complimentary map to learn about the area’s volcanic activity, and view informative displays along the trails and at the visitor center.

An unforgettable adventure from start to finish! This guided Māori cultural walking tour through a stunning Jurassic podocarp rainforest was truly one-of-a-kind. The journey began with a comfortable and fun bus ride from Rotorua, where we met our friendly Māori guides. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with a traditional Mihi Whakatau and Karakia, which set a deeply meaningful tone for the day. The rainforest itself is breathtaking—towering 1,000-year-old Totara trees, lush native plants, and the chance to spot rare birds in their natural habitat. The guides shared fascinating stories about the forest’s history, Māori traditions, and the medicinal plants known as Rakau Rongoa. We even got to experience 'Forest Bathing,' a peaceful moment of connection with nature, accompanied by beautiful Māori chants and music. The packed picnic lunch, infused with traditional flavors, was delicious, and hot Kawakawa tea was the perfect ending. A must-do for anyone visiting Rotorua!

Gain entry to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia on a guided tour of this geothermal hot spot. Take a walking path up to steaming vents, boiling mud pools and erupting Pohutu Geyser at Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley; observe the emblematic kiwi bird; and discover Maori traditions at the cultural center. Upgrade to include a cultural performance of Maori song and dance, including the warlike ‘haka.’ Showtimes are available several times a day during admittance.

Learn about Maori culture and geothermal science without needing separate bookings on this family-friendly combo tour to the Whaka Living Village and the Pohutu Geyser. Discover how local people have been harnessing the power of the hot springs and mud pools for centuries, and enjoy eating a corn cob cooked in the thermal waters. Take great photos of bubbling mud, spurting geysers, and cultural attractions.

Rotorua’s volcanic history has created a landscape of lakes, hot springs, and waterfalls. See some of the most spectacular on this half-day tour, traveling in a small group with a knowledgeable guide. Exercise your legs with a bushwalk, watch springs bubble, and learn about the natural processes that have shaped this land of fire and water.

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.

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.

Experience an evening of authentic Maori food, movement, and music paired with the raw power of the Pōhutu geyser on this cultural experience. Watch an energetic performance inside a carved Maori meeting house, followed by a delicious ‘hangi’ feast prepared in a traditional pit oven. Later, venture into the geothermal valley to sip hot chocolate under the stars and watch the eruption of the Southern Hemisphere's largest active geyser.

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.

Explore the mysterious geothermal landscape of Rotorua with this self-guided tour. After gaining access to the geothermal site, follow the well-marked trails to see colorful steaming lakes, thermal pools, geysers and more. As you wander, enjoy being immersed in native forest, with the chance to also see edible plants. This is a wonderful way to explore the fascinating geothermal world of Rotorua.

While in Rotorua, the North Island’s heartland of traditional culture, attend an evening event at Te Pā Tū featuring a Māori cultural performance and a 3-course seasonal fusion feast. Learn about Māori customs tied to the lunar calendar while enjoying song, drama, and tradition in a forest village setting. Hotel pickup and return transfers from Rotorua are included for convenience.

Visit the Buried Village of Te Wairoa, New Zealand's most-visited archaeological site. See exhibits on the 1886 Mt. Tarawera eruption at the Museum of Te Wairoa, then discover the fate of the Pink and White Terraces on a walk along the Waterfall Trail. Your ticket includes a guided tour that explains geothermal features and shares insight into how Maori and early settlers lived in the village before it was devastated.

Combine adventure and relaxation into one full-day experience on this small-group tour from Auckland to Rotorua. Experience the geothermal wonders of Wai-O-Tapu, including the steaming vents and Champagne Pool. Then, unwind in private cedar hot tubs surrounded by native forest. Plus, enjoy the scenic drive—without having to navigate—and learn about Maori culture from your guide.

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.

Redwoods Altitude is designed to showcase even more of the spectacular Redwoods Forest. From 25 metres up, you will be guided on an exhilarating journey along 25 Indiana Jones style jungle bridges! Using a continuous safety system, our professional guides will lead you around the 650 metre loop, ensuring your safety and comfort. Join us as we share local knowledge and stories about the Redwood Forest history, native flora and fauna and Māori legends. Please allow 2-hours for the entire Altitude experience. Plus, entry to our new Redwoods Altitude eco-cave.

See the central North Island from an angle that many travelers miss as you soar above the otherworldly volcanic landscapes of Mt. Tarawera on a seaplane flight from Rotorua. Your pilot–guide navigates over the Steaming Cliffs and Waimangu Volcanic Valley, then returns via the Blue and Green Lakes and the bubbling geysers of Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. Experience the thrill of a water take-off and landing on Lake Rotorua.

After exploring Rotorua’s volcanic attractions, hover above Mt. Tarawera for a different perspective on a helicopter tour. Soar above the Northern Lakes district as you take off from Rotorua. View the geothermal landscape of crater lakes and domes from the air and learn about geologic history from your guide. Land for a short, guided exploration of the volcanic terrain on foot.

The ultimate Redwoods experience - Altitude + Nightlights + daytime Treewalk + Glowworms (Nightlights, Treewalk, and Glowworm entries can be completed within 3 days of your Altitude tour).

Explore the captivating history and culture of Rotorua on this engaging walking tour. Led by knowledgeable local guides, experience the essence of Aotearoa as you uncover the rich stories behind unique sites and stunning vistas. This personalized small group tour, limited to 14 participants, ensures an intimate connection with both the landscape and your guide, fostering a deeper understanding of Rotorua's heritage as a Spa City. With flexible scheduling for morning or afternoon options, this immersive adventure promises unforgettable moments filled with discovery and insight. - Guided walking tour showcasing Rotorua’s hidden gems - Small group experience with a maximum of 14 participants - Morning or afternoon tour options for flexibility - Knowledgeable local guides share rich cultural stories