All Rotorua Tours &amp; Excursions in 2026

Mitai Maori Village Cultural Experience in Rotorua

Gain admission to your choice of several heart-thumping activities at Velocity Valley, an adrenaline-inducing theme park located just minutes from central Rotorua. Not for the faint-hearted, each extreme ride provides non-stop blood-pumping action. Whether you’re traveling with family or friends, this adventure park has something for (almost) everyone. Choose from various handy admission packages to suit your time, needs, and budget.

Velocity Valley Rotorua

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua, New Zealand

1 to 2 hoursFree Cancellation

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

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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

12 hoursFree Cancellation

Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū

Cultural Performance at Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village

30 to 40 minutesFree Cancellation

Rotorua based Small Group Morning Tour Waimangu and Wai O Tapu

5 hoursFree Cancellation

Gain entry to the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua with this guided tour and ticket combo. Learn about New Zealand's renowned conservation program as you take a tour of the hatchery which has successfully hatched over 2,600 kiwi chicks. After a guided experience, explore the interactive kiwi burrow where you can see the life cycle of a kiwi from egg to burrow. Children under 5 years old cannot participate in this experience.

National Kiwi Hatchery - Kiwi Encounter Guided Tour

1 hourFree Cancellation

Experience one of New Zealand’s most unique geothermal attractions at Hell’s Gate, Rotorua’s premier geothermal reserve and mud spa. What makes this experience truly special is the opportunity to explore an active geothermal landscape shaped by volcanic forces while enjoying traditional wellness treatments inspired by Māori culture. Wander through steaming cliffs, bubbling mud pools, hot springs, and dramatic geothermal features found nowhere else in New Zealand. After exploring the reserve, unwind in the famous geothermal mud baths, known for their mineral-rich properties, before soaking in soothing sulfur spa pools surrounded by natural scenery. Learn about the cultural significance of the area and its long history of healing and relaxation. Combining geothermal wonders, cultural heritage, and rejuvenating spa experiences, Hell’s Gate offers an unforgettable blend of adventure and wellness that makes it a must-visit destination in Rotorua.

Hell's Gate Geothermal Walk, Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa Experience

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5% savings

from

$39$37

Hobbiton Day Tour from Rotorua with lunch at Hobbiton

7 hoursFree Cancellation

Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas

1 hourFree Cancellation

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.

Buried Village of Te Wairoa

45 minutes to 2 hoursFree Cancellation

Slip into steaming water and cold pools at the Rotorua Deluxe Lake Spa, where pre-booked admission gets you access to premium changing rooms, an indoor lounge, mineral pools, and heated poolside recliners. The all-ages facility is a family-friendly alternative to Lake Rotorua’s adults-only options, and with four hours of spa time, you won't feel rushed as you relax, soak, and pamper sore traveling muscles.

Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Deluxe Lake Spa Hot Spring Bathing

1 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with Dinner

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

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience Combo

Special Offer

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.

Rotorua Hiking: Mt Tarawera Guided Volcanic Crater Experience

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Zorb Inflatable Ball Ride from Mount Ngongotaha in New Zealand

1 hourFree Cancellation

Mountain Jade Highlights Tour

40 minutesFree Cancellation

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.

Voyages of Maori at Mitai Maori Village

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Te Puia: Te Rā Guided Experience

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Take a break from a busy sightseeing schedule and relax in the tranquil natural environment of the Secret Spot Hot Tubs complex. Surrounded by the Whakarewarewa Forest are a collection of hand-crafted cedar hot tubs in which you can soak your aches and stress away. With pretty views overlooking the Puarenga Stream, each hot tub can accommodate up to six people, but this is a private package.

Rotorua Forest Hot Tub Soak at Secret Spot

45 minutesFree Cancellation

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Must-Dos in Rotorua

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What are people saying about Rotorua

Rotorua based Small Group Morning Tour Waimangu and Wai O Tapu

Wendy_G, Nov 2026

Shawn our tour guide was amazing

Whether you’re a solo traveller or a couple this your is for you! Our tour guide was truly amazing and made everyone welcome Being a small group you make friends from all over the world. The fauna information Shaun gave us was excellent I would recommend this tour to everyone Well done

Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna

Suhail_S, Nov 2026

The best rafting experience

An Unforgettable White Water Rafting Experience! One of the best adventures I have ever experienced! We had an absolutely amazing time white water rafting with my wife and friends. The entire experience was thrilling, exciting and full of unforgettable moments. The guides were fantastic, very friendly, professional and supportive throughout the activity. Everyone made us feel comfortable and safe while ensuring we had an incredible adventure. The team’s energy and enthusiasm made the experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommend this activity to anyone visiting Rotorua. Definitely an experience worth trying, and we would love to do it again! Thank you to the entire team for making our day so memorable!

Hobbiton Day Tour from Rotorua with lunch at Hobbiton

Dianne_S, Oct 2026

More than just a bus ride..

This tour was excellent. Our bus driver Natta was entertaining and helpful for all our needs. The travel goes fast with such a joyful and wonderful driver! He cared for the elderly on our bus, and was gracious and helpful to those who did not speak English very well. Hobbiton itself was amazing as expected. It feels professional and special without being commercial. And that would explain the whole day! It felt like a family day out from the moment we met our bus driver. Would highly recommend this tour to everyone.

Glow Worm Kayak Tour

Dianne_S, Oct 2026

Excellent and quality

This tour was all we had hoped for. The staff were skilled and friendly and the caves were great! This tour is very well resourced. They will provide you with the gear you need for the weather. And the jackets and shoes etc that they provided were high quality, clean and well looked after. Give this tour a try! It was a great night of exploring!

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua, New Zealand

Kim_T, Oct 2026

Great afternoon. Very different. A definite "we're not in UK anymore" experience!!

Wonderful to walk amongst the thermals and to enjoy the scenery, near and far. The paths are well marked. They say allow 90 mins but we took double that just because we wanted to enjoy it, take photos and try to spot the birds. We were not in a rush! We spotted a member of staff discretely sitting on a bench watching the boardwalk and paths. He had a radio - so guess he was there in case anyone got into difficulty. There was a delay at the entrance as others had difficulty with their pre booked tickets. Ours with Viator got us through with no issues! The person taking tickets apologised for the delay, put ours through and said " that's how its supposed to work!" There were steps on the third loop and the paths were dusty....so if youre precious about your shoes... I wouldn't take toddlers or children who can't reliably do what they're told!

Mitai Maori Village Cultural Experience in Rotorua

Christine_W, Oct 2026

Great Experience

This was a really wonderful evening. Very informative, lovely and plentiful food and it finished with a Maori show. The rowing of the Maori boat up the river was an impression of a Maori war canoe, but you needed to use your imagination a little. The whole experience was really great and an experience not to be missed.

Rotorua Canopy Tours: 2.5Hour Native Forest Zipline Adventure

Jay_H, Oct 2026

A great time for all ages.

You get to walk through the jungle and the hiking isn't much, very reasonable and mucj, much less than other zip lines like in Kauai, Hawaii. The two guides are very helpful and patient. It was a lot of fun. This is my 4th time doing a zip line. My first time in New Zealand.

National Kiwi Hatchery - Kiwi Encounter Guided Tour

Jennafer_R, Oct 2026

Support the Kiwi birds by taking this tour!!

One of the many things we HAD to do when coming to NZ was see a Kiwi bird. Definitely not a good chance of seeing these cute birds in the wild, being noctornal. Fascinating little birds for sure so we booked our tour. Showed up and in a small group of about 12 we were in a van and onto the farm towards the Kiwi. We got to see them all! (Bear in mind they are nocturnal and are in as natural an enclosure as they could manage- you are in the dark with red lights on- there is a chance they could hide/sleep where you won't get a chance to see them). We learned so much. The employees were kind and informative. They are doing hard work trying to conserve this lovely little bird and just touring helps even if you don't get to see a live kiwi (try and remember that!). Since we came in spring we were even more privelegded to see quite a few baby Kiwi, one that was even not sponsored yet! Wish we could have done that! (Cost is somehwere around 1500-1700 American I believe) Every bit counts, we got some lovely items in the gift shop and were very happy to have done this tour.

Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū

Erin_R, Oct 2026

You have to do this!! 5 stars isn't enough.

Exceeded expectations on all levels. Friendly literally from the confirmation phone call to the very end. Every step of the evening was seamless. The family running the night were informative, friendly, caring, funny, knowledgeable & love their culture & sharing it. I smiled from start to finish. It was really interactive & oh my goodness ..... the FOOD!!!! the chef was 5 star .... up with the best meal I've had!

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

renaekilby5, Sep 2026

Five Stars

Extremely safe and well structured, the guides were amazing and made you feel at ease, safe and secure. I was petrified and didn’t think I would be able to do it, but got through it and loved it. Such a great experience and amazing views and educational as well. Thank you

Voyages of Maori at Mitai Maori Village

Derek_V, Mar 2026

Perfect experience... really could not have been better!

We now understand why this is the top-rated experience of this kind in Rotorua. We had the morning experience including lunch buffet. We couldn't have asked for a better and more satisfying time - the staff and performers were all top notch. We could really tell they care about conveying their culture and pride in it to others. The buffet lunch was great. Even had time for Q&A with our host after lunch.