The Bay of Plenty and Rotorua are filled with stunning natural beauty and this tour will highlight these areas to you. We will visit some of the out of the way spots that not everyone knows about and see environments you might not have seen before. There are no large crowds or big buses on this tour. Along the way we will explain the uniqueness that is New Zealand and particularly the geothermal region of Rotorua and its significance to the Maori people. 

New for this season is the Redwoods Forest Tree Walk, an amazing experience!
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NOTE: this tour does not visit any of the commercial geothermal reserves. We stay off the tourist routes as much as possible and enjoy seeing things not on most other tours. If you wish to visit a commercial geothermal reserve, please consider our other Rotorua Tours.
 
Tour Outline: (the order of stops may change on the day)
 
After meeting you at the Port of Tauranga we begin the tour with a gentle drive along the coast showcasing our stunning white sandy beaches and telling you a little about the region and its history.

Heading inland, through steep gorges and forests, we take the old coach road to Rotorua, passing farms and orchards.

Arriving at Rotorua's Kuirau Park (a geothermal hot spot) we will get up close to the bubbling mud pools, steaming lakes and crystal clear hot springs. Soak your feet in the thermal foot bath and feel how soft and silky they feel afterwards!

Then, we take a drive through the Government Gardens. The impressive Elizabethan style building dominating the grounds was the first investment by the NZ Government in tourism. We will also stop to view the Rachel Pool, a historic alkaline hot spring located within the gardens.

Next is Sulphur Bay on Lake Rotorua. This unique ecological area is where the birds and vegetation have adapted to the acidic conditions - a very interesting place to see.

Our usual lunch venue is at the Geyser cafe at Te Whakarewarewa. Here you have chance to view the living Maori village from the bridge (note entry is not included), where children will happily dive for gold coins tossed into the river. Lunch is at your own cost. Other lunch locations are also used depending on availability. 

Then we make a stop at the Redwood Forest to breathe some beautiful fresh air. The forest is regarded as one of Rotorua's environmental treasures. For this season we have added the award winning Forest Tree Walk so you can really get the best experience  of these 120 year old impressive Redwood trees.

An easy access spiral ramp will take you up to walkways and platforms 10 to 20 metres above the ground. Suspended high above the forest floor, you encounter 75-metre tall redwoods as you walk across eco-suspended bridges and platforms intricately designed to honour and accentuate the stunning natural environment. Regarded by many as one of the best tree top walks in New Zealand. This will quite literally be the high light of the tour.

Heading back to Tauranga by the coastal route, (and past Lake Rotoiti), you will pass by many kiwifruit orchards, with the Bay of Plenty accounting for 85% of the production of this iconic fruit in New Zealand.

After a great day out we will ensure you are back at the port in plenty of time to board your ship.

After a great day out we will guarantee you are back at the port in plenty of time to board your ship, taking with you lots of wonderful memories from your tour with us into New Zealand's heartland!