Rotorua Geothermal Wonderland Tour – Departs Tauranga
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Tauranga, New Zealand
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
This day experience takes visitors to the famous geothermal sites of New Zealand, departing from Mount Maunganui and travelling to Rotorua, before returning to the former when the tour is over. Pass by Tauranga and the Harbour Bridge before stopping at the Pohutu Geyser and Okere Falls in Rotorua.
- Take a short walk through New Zealand’s native forest.
- Learn about the Māori culture and history of the areas visited.
- Experience a cultural performance at Te Puia including a traditional welcome, songs, and the haka.
- Enjoy New Zealand’s beautiful landscapes while driving between Tauranga and Rotorua.
What's Included
- 12-seater modern air-conditioned minivan
- Expert local driver/guide with live commentary
- Entry to Te Puia Geothermal Park
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks (unless specified)
- Gratuities
- Swimming or water activities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
1
Mount Maunganui
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Tauranga (Pass By)
2
Te Puia
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
3
Rotorua District
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Passengers must be able to embark / disembark with minimal assistance.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 150 reviews
Karen_G, Apr 2026
Our guide was very personable and knowledgeable about the area and the Māori culture. She has lived in the area all her life so we got a lot of insight from a local perspective. The Māori cultural experience and school was educational and the geyser was cool to see as it spouted 10-20 feet into the air. She also pulled over and showed us a beautiful beach and a kiwi farm and told us about how they almost lost their entire crop because of pests that had been brought in that killed the crop.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your kind review. We're dedicated to providing top-notch service, and your feedback reinforces our commitment.
Glenn_C, Mar 2026
The guide was very kind and enthusiastic about sharing Rotura and the surrounding area. We enjoyed the day.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We're delighted to know that you enjoyed your time with us. Your positive feedback means the world to us.
Julia_T, Mar 2026
We had a lovely time on the tour. The guide was well informed and organised the day very well.
The guides at the village were enthusiastic and passionate about their culture and the show was amazing.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your kind review. We're dedicated to providing top-notch service, and your feedback reinforces our commitment.
Kristine_A, Mar 2026
Our tour guide Nicolle was absolutely amazing. Her knowledge of the area and her exuberance were incredible. She went above and beyond I'm sure what was expected of the tour. She made a couple of stops that were her favorite and not a usual part of the tour. HIGHLY recommend this tour and her in particular.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We're over the moon to receive your glowing review! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Carol_E, Mar 2026
Excellent alternative to ship excursion. The cultural village and geothermal park are excellent. Local knowledge and small group can makes the difference!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a positive review. We're honored to have earned your praise.
Sherrie_R, Feb 2026
Fantastic guide with great local knowledge. The bubbling mud pools and geysers were awesome and the cultural activities at the centre were very entertaining and inspiring.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your review. It was a pleasure to host you for the day.
Gail_S, Feb 2026
Extremely knowledgeable guide who took took us on a memorable tour going out of her way to make sure we saw the very best of Mount Maunganui and Rotarua.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
It's customers like you who make our job so rewarding. Thank you for your kind words and for choosing us.
David_E, Feb 2026
Fantastic experience! Our guide, Nicole, was personable, informative, and included several additional stops to share the beauty and life of New Zealand.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your review. It was a pleasure to host you for the day.
Sunny_K, Feb 2026
It's a full-day thing. Just a small group of 11 in a comfy van. Our driver and guide, Tracey (Loyddy), was super friendly, knew a ton, and gave us lots of info as we passed cool spots on the way to Rotorua.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with us.
Lawrence_B, Feb 2026
Hot thermal pools and guysers were an eye opening experience. As was the Maori songs and dances.
Our tour guide Nicolle was very personable, friendly and knowledgeable.
She had us back to the ship in plenty of time for our 5.15pm departure curfew.
Excellent small group excursion 👍👍
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a positive review. We're honored to have earned your praise.
Brad_J, Feb 2026
Could have been a better cultural experience. Thanks riley for a great tour and well done for all that you do there. Thankyou.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Brad messaged and said he had meant to say Couldn't have been a better. Thoroughly enjoyed himself as did his family and we appreciate the review thanks :)
Carolyn_S, Feb 2026
This tour with Russell covers everything you would want to see in the area. The van is very clean and comfortable. Russell is a wealth of information and very organized. We never felt rushed and were still able to watch the surfers, visit a volcano formed lake, tour the geothermal features and cultural and artistic exhibits at the Maori Te Puia center, walk a bit of the redwood forest and enjoy a snack at a kiwi orchard. I highly recommend this tour for all ages.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
It's customers like you who make our job so rewarding. Thank you for your kind words and for choosing us.
DavidH_M, Feb 2026
Not well thought out, guide at show was not very professional. We went to see the geyser and he was determined to show us wood carvings in details, details and details
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi David,
Thank you for your review. This has already been brought to my attention by my staff member and we will be following it up with the venue. Let me reassure the reader that this was an isolated incident with a venue tour guide not one of our staff. This is not the level of service that Te Puia is known for or wants to be known for and not the kind service we want to be associated with. We will be making sure this does not happen again.
Kathy_M, Jan 2026
Our Guide Niccoles was a JOY! Went above and beyond to make it the best!
I’m sure I’ve spelled her name incorrectly, but, she has to be your best employee so you know who I mean.
The tour from start to finish was A++
Thanks for a perfect day 🤗
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We're delighted to know that you enjoyed your time with us. Your positive feedback means the world to us.
Alan_W, Jan 2026
Our small group of 4 were treated to a fantastic, welcoming, informative driver and guide Nicolle who has lived in Tauranga basically her whole life, knows the region intimately and generously shared her insights and experience with us for over 6 easygoing hours. Would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
It's customers like you who make our job so rewarding. Thank you for your kind words and for choosing us.
Patricia_K, Jan 2026
Our party of 4 really enjoyed our tour with wicked wanders , your tour guide was absolute fantastic knowledgeable , supportive , professional , great sense of humour made everyone feel welcome and went above and beyond to make our day a special one. We arrived on the cruise ship. Tracy and crew were waiting for us looked after us all day. Got us back on time , our leader Tracy ( Lloyd) was just the best absolutely amazing knowledgeable, nothing was to hard, made the day wonderful.
It was Our first trip to New Zealand , such a beautiful country , Tracy certainly is a wonderful asset to your company and your country . Would not hesitate to recommend you to any family and friends and in the future. Thanks
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We couldn't be happier to hear about your positive experience. Thank you for choosing us and for your generous review.
Ming_S, Jan 2026
Big thank you Russell for the amazing tour around Rotorua and Te Puia to learn about the Māori culture.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your kind review. We're dedicated to providing top-notch service, and your feedback reinforces our commitment.
Ayesha_A, Jan 2026
We enjoyed the Māori cultural experience and our tour guide was very knowledgeable. The geothermal wonderland is a must see.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
It's wonderful to hear that you had a fantastic experience with us. We appreciate your business and your feedback.
Tom_M, Dec 2025
Wonderful day. 💯 Our driver Tracy was fun and very knowledgeable. Cody our guide at the village was amazing. The day turned out so much more than we expected
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We couldn't be happier to hear about your positive experience. Thank you for choosing us and for your generous review.
Neal_W, Dec 2025
Travelled with grandchildren aged 13 & 10. Great introduction to Māori history in NZ followed by Kiwi viewing, mud pools and geyser. Visited the Redwood Forest with the very tall trees. Recommended tour, Buddy was an entertaining driver/guide.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
It's wonderful to hear that you had a fantastic experience with us. We appreciate your business and your feedback.
Guy_T, Dec 2025
Great experience, the guides at the geothermal were excellent.
Our driver Nicolle. Was extremely good and provided a lot of details which made the tour very interesting
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We're delighted to know that you enjoyed your time with us. Your positive feedback means the world to us.
Mark_W, Dec 2025
I will not book on Wonderland Tours again. We arrived 15 minutes early for our confirmed tour, but were then told we were being added to a different earlier tour. The earlier tour used a 15 person van and was full except for 2 remaining seats in the back bench. So 4 adults were crammed together for the long ride - very uncomfortable. Wonderland tour should not cram adults together for long drives! Then there were audio problems. Mike, the driver, turned the volume up which caused consistent feed-back issues. We asked him to just speak louder but he never did. Wonderland Tours needs to teach their drivers how to project. All we could hear in the back was unintelligible droning - very annoying.
We made our first stop at a kiwi farm for tastings and ice cream and to our drivers surprise it was closed. Wonderland Tours should know the hours of the shops they take customers to. Then we made several more stops which was fine except Mike just pulled in without informing us what the plan was or where we were. Not a great tour and certainly not worth the time or money.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
So to give context to the reader this review is regarding another company not Wicked Wanders Tours who runs this particular Rotorua tour. Mark & Britt were on a Viking ship that was departing early that day and the tour they had booked with us was delayed due to the late arrival of another ship. As they had not told us at the time of booking which ship they were on, we were unaware they were on the ship leaving earlier until they happened to message us the night before and we were unable to call them back on the number they provided us. This left us with two options. Either cancel and refund the booking which would have left them with no tour for the day, or fit them onto a similar tour with a different company that was running a tour for people off their ship. After some asking around this is what we did but it appears the road to hell is paved with good intentions. I'm sorry to hear that the company in question did not live up to your expectations as they are a reputable company that does usually do a very good job. I will be following up with them directly. In regards to the kiwifruit attraction that was not their fault. It was meant to be open and was open when our tours came through on their way back to Tauranga later in the day.
Katiefullsailstravel, Nov 2025
Great tour guide Lloydy! Saw soo much more than large group tours. Lake and Ocean view stops, kiwi farm tour and products, Redwood Forest, and the amazing Maori Culture Center with Kiwi bird station, geothermal areas, geyser, and native performances and song. This is not to be missed!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
It's customers like you who make our work so enjoyable. Thank you for your support and your glowing review.
Richard_J, Nov 2025
Great day out in a small group with a friendly and enthusiastic guide. Nicholle made sure we all enjoyed the trip and added a couple of brief extra stops to show off places of interest.
The Māori experience and the Geothermal site lived up to our expectations.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We're thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful experience with us. Your review serves as motivation for our team to continue delivering great service.
Janice_F, Nov 2025
Great trip to Rotorua and Te Puia. Our guide was waiting for us early at the cruise port and was easy to find. Really informative about the area and was with us at every stage in Te Puia to ensure we got the best experience and went the right way. A really enjoyable day.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We're delighted to know that you enjoyed your time with us. Your positive feedback means the world to us.
William_T, Jun 2025
Overall, a good experience. The entertainment was good but the Haka presentation was very short and disappointing. The geyser was very cool and liked seeing the Kiwi birds.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Hi William,
Thank you for your review. We are glad you enjoyed your tour and the cultural performance overall. I must admit I am a little surprised by your comments about the Haka as this has never been mentioned by anyone else before and the rest of your tour group that day thought it was great. The Haka is only a small part of the overall performance and is only a small part of Maori culture as a whole. It is something that is physically demanding so is generally short in length eg. 1-2 minutes. Given the nature of the Haka it is hard to project the power of a full haka with limited performers and I except that you may have been expecting a far larger group than was present but you won't find a full Haka at any tourist attraction around the country as it is just not practical to do so. If you are traveling through New Zealand independently there are cultural festivals at certain times of the year that have large groups of different Iwi and Hapu from around the country performing that are fantastic to watch.
Christine_S, May 2025
This tour was simply wonderful! We enjoyed learning about the wonderful culture and history and enjoyed the stunning landscape. Nicholly was our tour guide and she was knowledgeable and just a delight to be around!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
It's wonderful to hear that you had a fantastic experience with us. We appreciate your business and your feedback.
Brenda_L, Mar 2025
Our pickup was from the cruise port and very convenient. The van was older and crowded. The driver was knowledgeable during the drive and informative. The tour was well led by locals and everything explained. You are given lots of time to look at mud pools, geysers, and the Māori culture performance was great.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for your review. It was a pleasure to host you for the day.
Laura_M, Mar 2025
What a great day! Enjoyed learning more about the Mauori culture. The arts and craft tour was amazing.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with us.
Lorna_W, Mar 2025
Our driver was great. The sights she took us to were lovely. Te Puia village was a great experience to learn about the Maoris. It was wonderful to see the 3 kiwi birds and the bubbling mud and geysers too.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
We couldn't be happier to hear about your positive experience. Thank you for choosing us and for your generous review.
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