Shore excursion to Rotorua including Gondola and luge rides

Recommended by 92% of travelers

Rotorua, New Zealand

7 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Rotorua Cultural Small Group Afternoon Tour

Rotorua, North Island

4.9

(11)

Rotorua Cultural Small Group Afternoon Tour

from $106

Likely to Sell Out

Rotorua, North Island

4.9

(36)

Mountain Jade Highlights Tour

from $26

Likely to Sell Out

Rotorua, North Island

5.0

(11)

Daytime Canyon Kayak Tour

from $70

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Make the most of your time on land in the North Island and discover Rotorua's highlights on this small-group full-day shore excursion from Tauranga. Pass through Mt. Maunganui and visit a kiwifruit orchard before exploring Rotorua's Government Gardens and Skyline Gondola, where three thrilling luge rides are included. Relax with a foot soak at the geothermal Kuirau Park and enjoy round-trip port transport by minivan for a comfy ride.

Small-group tour for a personalized experience
Admire the views from atop Mt. Ngongataha after a gondola ride
Includes snacks and drinks to keep you energized and refreshed
An easy way to travel to inland Rotorua when your ship docks in Tauranga

What's Included

Snacks and bottled water
Port pick-up and drop-off
All Fees and Taxes
Gondola ride to the top of Mt Ngongataha and return to the bottom
Luge ride x 3 from top of skyline gondola

Lunch

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Operating hours
.8:30 am

Itinerary

Begin your private full-day shore excursion with pickup from the Port of Tauranga and travel in a comfortable vehicle toward Rotorua. As you leave the coast, pass through Mount Maunganui, where your guide points out the main beach and coastal scenery before heading inland.

Your first major stop in Rotorua is the Government Gardens, home to beautifully maintained grounds, the historic Rotorua Museum exterior, and views over the Polynesian Spa complex. Enjoy time to stroll through the gardens and take photos of this elegant lakefront area.

Continue toward Te Puke, known as the kiwi fruit capital of the world, where you stop at a working kiwi fruit farm. Walk through the orchard, learn how this unique fruit is grown, and discover why the Bay of Plenty produces so much of New Zealand’s kiwi fruit.

Next, travel to Skyline Rotorua and ride the gondola to the top for panoramic views over Lake Rotorua. Your visit includes three luge rides, giving you time to enjoy both the scenery and one of Rotorua’s most popular attractions.

From here, head to Okere Falls for a short walk to a lookout point above the powerful rapids, where kayakers and commercial rafters often tackle the rushing water.

Continue to Kuirau Park, where steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and mineral foot baths showcase Rotorua’s geothermal character. Then take a gentle nature walk near Lake Tikitapu, following a short trail through native temperate rainforest between the lakes for a peaceful contrast to the geothermal landscape.

If time allows, visit the Redwoods Forest, a well-known Rotorua attraction featuring towering trees, walking tracks, and visitor facilities, with time to browse the shop or enjoy a refreshment.

After a full day exploring Rotorua’s highlights, begin the scenic return journey to Tauranga, crossing back over the harbor bridge for drop-off at the Port of Tauranga.

Government Gardens

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Te Puke

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Skyline Rotorua

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Okere Falls

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kuirau Park (Pass By)

Tikitapu Nature Walk

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Mt Maunganui Main Beach

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Infant seats available
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.6

based on 12 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Highly recommend

Debbie_J, Mar 2020

I am not good with electronics, but wanted to leave a review about Toby and our experience. It was wonderful and he is very accommodating to make it custom for everyone to enjoy their experience. Highly recommend!!

Response from Host, Mar 2020

Thank you Debbie. You're an awesome person, and a delight as a customer. All the best with your plans to go to Brazil. Enjoy the rest of your holiday. Toby

Taranaki shore excursion

JANE_B, Nov 2019

The tour was a little disorganized. The guide Roger was running behind schedule, not sure of the time he needed to return us to the port for our boarding of our cruise ship. Didn't really comment much on history or geography of where and what he was showing us. Did take us to geothermal pools, and redwood forest. We are from California and we have lots of redwood forests, he never said much about this one, how did they get a redwood forest in New Zealand? Seemed to have alot of unexplained wondering around time. That being said the adventure park with the gondola and luge ride was great! Could have been a better tour with a different guide.

Response from Host, Jan 2020

With respect I think you maybe a little confused as I owned the company for the past 5 years . I pride myself on giving my guests the best possible day and make a point of covering the history of this area from when Capt Cook discovered the area in 1769 and that the Redwood forest was introduced in the early 1900’s. I always encourage people to ask questions and we certainly maximize your time we certainly don’t have a lot of “ wandering around time “ If I was behind schedule it would be because some people have difficulty or reading instructions on what time we meet , that being the case out tour is still longer than advertised so everyone has a great day . We know exactly what time we will be back at the Port that is the first thing we cover with passengers and no one has ever been late back , generally you are in Port 12 hours and our Tours are approx 7 hours in duration. I apologize if it did not meet your expectations but your review is a little vague and one of a minority you have even referred to the tour as Taranaki which is a different of New Zealand regards Roger