Tauranga Private Shore Excursion: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

After meeting your private guide at the Tauranga port, set out on a scenic 1.5-hour drive to the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, one of New Zealand’s most colorful geothermal regions. Once famed for the Pink and White Terraces—often described as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” before their destruction in the 1886 Tarawera eruption—Wai-O-Tapu is now a remarkable landscape of steaming vents, bubbling geysers, and pools shimmering in vibrant hues of turquoise, orange, gold, and green. The park’s highlight is the striking Champagne Pool, surrounded by mineral-rich terraces. Depending on your ship’s arrival time, you may also witness the dramatic 10:15 a.m. eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser. Wai-O-Tapu offers three self-guided walking tracks ranging from easy to moderate, lasting between 40 and 75 minutes. With your guide alongside, you’ll have the flexibility to choose the route that best suits your pace while taking in the geothermal wonders up close.

Government Gardens is one of Rotorua’s historic landmarks and most popular tourism destinations. You'll want to have your camera on hand for this spot! The Tudor-style Bath House was built onsite and opened in 1908, and is noted as the first major investment in the New Zealand tourism industry by the government. It now houses the Rotorua Museum and art gallery. It is currently closed for renovation and earthquake strengthening. A walk through Government Gardens takes you to see ancient bubbling geothermal pools, traditional and modern Māori-inspired art, sculptures, and perfectly manicured grounds for bowls, croquet, petanque . You’ll also find a soldiers’ memorial for the servicemen of the local Te Arawa tribe, and the Klamath Falls Rose Gardens.

Rotorua lakefront a central recreational hub for the city. We will park up and you can wander about and take in the prestigious Te Arawa Waka Taua (war canoe), Te Arawa Whare Waka is a purpose-built canoe house made from glass, situated on the Lakefront, and it was a key part of the Rotorua Lakefront recent redesign project. The modern building's glass walls offer views of the taonga (treasure) while allowing it to still be used and transported for cultural events. The Whare Waka, also known as "Te Taiao," symbolizes the deep cultural heritage and connection of the Te Arawa people to Lake Rotorua.

Kuirau park is situated in central Rotorua and is still a very active geothermal park. We will take you through the park to see the crater lake, mud pools, hot springs, and then enjoy a free thermal foot bath, all set in a beautifully manicured setting dotted with flower beds and native flora.

It is the outflow from Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti and flows northwards for 45 kilometres (28 mi), emptying into the Bay of Plenty(ocean) at Maketu. The river is an important traditional resource, and was used for fishing, with the riperian edges used to grow crops including kūmara and harvest harakeke (flax). The name of the river refers to eels being a major food resource. Kaituna Falls are located along the Kaituna River, with easy access to a viewing platform. Known as both the Kaituna Falls and Trout Pool Falls, this waterfall is one of three along the Kaituna River, near Rotorua (the others being the Okere Falls, and Tutea Falls). This section of the Kaituna River is popular with rafters and kayakers, due to the number of rapids and waterfalls. The waterfall is not large – just a 5mtr drop, but worth the visit for its beauty within our native forest and the history

The town is considered the birthplace of New Zealand's kiwifruit industry, and its warm, moist climate and fertile soil are ideal for growing the fruit. The area is a major horticultural centre, where hundreds of local growers produce millions of kiwifruits that are exported globally. The kiwifruit industry is the backbone of the district's economy, providing jobs for thousands of people during the picking and packing season. New Zealand is 2nd largest supplier of kiwifruit to the entire world. We have accessibility to an orchard – so we can take you to view the fruit in its growing stages.

On our return to where your ship is docked we will drive along Marine Parade of the suburb of Mount Maunganui. This is New Zealands most popular beach, before traversing the narrow isthmus of land running alongside Mauao - the impressive 232 meter lava dome from which the region takes its name from, then along Pilot Bay back to the port of Tauranga front gates to reboard your ship.