• Te Puia - Featuring dramatic geysers, bubbling mud, and beautiful native bush explored by personalised guided tours. Te Puia is home to the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute and offers a state-of-the-art Kiwi Conservation Centre, so you can get closer than ever before to New Zealand’s national treasure- the native Kiwi bird.

For generations, Te Puia has welcomed manuhiri (visitors) from all over the world to explore the magic hidden within Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley during both the day and evening.

• Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest - Known to locals simply as ‘The Redwoods’, the 55,000ha Whakarewarewa Forest is a playground for mountain bikers, walkers, hikers and horse riders set amongst magnificent stands of towering Californian Redwoods, lush native forest and exotic trees.

The Redwood Memorial Grove was planted in 1901, dedicated to the memory of the men of the New Zealand Forest Service who dies in the two World Wars. These iconic trees tower above you at approximately 67 metres (219 feet) tall providing incredible photo opportunities. This easy short walk also features a boardwalk over an old thermal pond, home to unique aquatic plant life.

• Government Gardens - Beautiful and spacious gardens near the centre of Rotorua. The Government Gardens offer a bowling club, petanque, croquet and a golf course.

Within the gardens, you’ll also come across various points of interest that include the 1927 Arawa Soldiers Memorial, a number of geothermal features and the Kwaqiulth Totem Pole. The beautifully maintained gardens are a short walk to Lake Rotorua, the town centre and the wildlife refuge of Sulphur Bay.

The land is one of legend and historical importance to the local Maori people, with a number of significant battles having taken place. The original Maori owners gifted the 50 acres of land in the late nineteenth century for ‘the benefit of the people of the world’.

The Government Gardens is also home to the Rotorua Museum , Polynesian Spa and the Blue Baths. The restored Blue Baths offer the opportunity to enjoy a dip in the warm waters and relax in an architecturally stunning building.

• Sulphur Point - Located at the southern end of Lake Rotorua, Sulphur Bay is a perfect example of Rotorua’s famous geothermal environment.

The constantly changing landscape around the bay has everything visitors to Rotorua could wish for. Silica flats, rocky terraces, and sulphur ledges sit alongside active boiling mud pools and steam vents. Even the water is interesting, its milky colour the result of sulphur particles that are suspended in the water.

The bay’s closeness to feeding grounds and the warmth generated by the geothermal activity, means the area attracts many native birds. Fans of bird watching can spot around 60 different species here including the banded dotterel, the scaup, and three types of gull in this protected wildlife reserve.

• Kuirau Park - Walking tracks lead to numerous areas of vigorous geothermal activity. Provided you stay on the cool side of the safety fences, visitors are generally quite safe.

New eruptions do occur from time to time, so it pays to err on the side of caution. In 2001 mud and rocks the size of footballs were suddenly hurled 10 metres into the air as a new steam vent spontaneously announced its arrival. Two years later, similar eruptions provided a real bonus for delighted visitors.

In early Maori times the small lake in the park was much cooler and was known as Taokahu. Legend tells us that a beautiful young woman named Kuiarau was bathing in the waters when a taniwha (legendary creature) dragged her to his lair below the lake. The gods above were angered and made the lake boil so the Taniwha would be destroyed forever. From that time on, the bubbling lake and the steaming land around it have been known by the name of the lost woman, although the spelling has changed a little.

• Bottled water
• Snacks
• Towels for foot spa
• Driver/Guide

• Lunch

A day filled with excitement, culture, and connection awaits you…

Ahead lies an approximately 1 to 1.5-hour drive. During this time, enjoy a selection of our all-inclusive snacks and water as you relax and take in the stunning scenic views, of which there will be many.

Te Puia is Rotorua’s premier guided experience and cultural performance center. Enjoy a top-tier cultural performance in a beautifully carved meeting house, featuring a Traditional Māori Welcome, Song, traditional chant, Poi, and Haka.

Encounter the largest naturally active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, Pōhutu Geyser, and enjoy an up-close experience with the New Zealand Kiwi at the brand-new Kiwi Conservation Centre.

We will pause for you to purchase lunch in Rotorua.

On the return journey to your ship, you can relax and reflect on the wonderful memories made today while exploring “our backyard.”

We will ensure you are back at your ship at the Port of Tauranga well before your sailing time.

• Comfortable footwear is recommended

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.