All Rotorua Tours & Excursions in 2026

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.

See the awe-inspiring Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland on a half-day tour, led by a knowledgeable guide. Follow a well-marked path alongside bubbling hot springs and volcanic craters at Rotorua’s most comprehensive geothermal site. Be amazed by the daily eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser, then take a tour around Waimangu Volcanic Valley, a young geothermal ecosystem.

Treat yourself to a therapeutic mud bath and sulfur spa package at Hells Gate Geothermal Park. Located in one of Rotorua’s most active geothermal zones, Hells Gate features mud bath treatments that leave your body rejuvenated and skin smooth. You also have the option to cool off with a dip in waterfall pools after your treatment.

To us, It’s about an experience. It’s about the welcome on arrival and departure, it’s about the unexpected joys, the feel good music, finding the fairy doors, walking under an 80 year old kiwifruit vine tunnel, patting a friendly giant rabbit while you putt around it, a sudden explosion of bubbles flying overhead, the world class native garden, the light shows, tranquil and serene in parts, and swarm techno lights in others, it’s a journey of experiences. It’s about standing on large volcanic rocks and admiring the 2,000 year old Rata stump from which water cascades into the pond as smoke billows out from within. This is why it is not unusual to have repeat visits of up & over 3 times while visiting, each experience is different and people leave feeling good!

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.

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.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the night on a kayaking tour into hidden glow worm caves on a lake near Rotorua. Feel safe and secure paddling a kayak with a guide leading the way. Marvel at the constellations of glowing bugs lighting up the rock formations, and the starry skies outside if the weather’s clear.

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.

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.

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.

White-water rafting is a thrilling adventure activity but roaring rapids can be scary. Enjoy a scenic rafting tour on Grade 2 rapids on the Rangitaiki River during a laid-back tour from Rotorua. Ride past tumbling waterfalls, sheer rock cliffs, and forest-clad river gorges. The rolling rapids make this an ideal trip for families and those looking for a more relaxed experience. Includes lunch, a hot shower, and hotel transfers.

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.

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 Maori practices as you enjoy an authentic cultural performance delivered by the Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao people on this experience. Head to the Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village and listen as you’re serenaded with a song and dance that tells the story of the people’s history, traditions, and ancestors.

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.

Immerse yourself in the movie magic of Hobbiton—and enjoy a hassle-free way to explore—on this full-day tour from Rotorua. Following morning pickup from select hotels, head straight to Hobbiton, passing pretty scenery along the way. Upon arrival, head right in with your included admission tickets, go for a guided tour of the highlights, and even enjoy a tasty lunch before you go.

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.

Art, craft, and culture-loving travelers will enjoy this guided tour of a New Zealand jade (pounamu) carving studio. Learn about the cultural significance of jade to the local Maori people, and about traditional and contemporary designs. Get the chance to meet jewelry artists and to see them at work. Choose a piece of jade to string and keep as a memento.

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.

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.

Rotorua’s world-class guided experience and cultural performance. This exhilarating combo extends on from our Te Rā experience by adding a captivating cultural performance in our beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It will include a pōhiri (traditional Māori welcome), waiata (song), mōteatea (traditional chant), poi and haka. The Te Rā guided experience features a 90-minute tour through our geothermal valley, where you’ll visit the Pōhutu Geyser, the Kiwi Conservation Centre, and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. Along the way, our knowledgeable kaiārahi (guides) will share their Māori traditions, heritage, and ancestral stories, offering unique insights into our rich culture.

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.