New Zealand · ROTORUA TOURS

The 15 Best Rotorua Tours & Geothermal Parks

162 tours  ·  from $11

Rotorua packs geysers, a Maori village dinner, rafting and a mud spa into an area you can cross in twenty minutes. These 15 cover each of them, with entry prices, timings and which ones combine into one day.

Rotorua Canopy Tours: 2.5Hour Native Forest Zipline Adventure - From Fairy Springs Road to the forest
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Rotorua Canopy Tours: 2.5Hour Native Forest Zipline Adventure

1.Rotorua Canopy Tours: 2.5Hour Native Forest Zipline Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,563 reviews · from $123Our pick

Spend 2.5 hours above Rotorua’s ancient native forest on several ziplines and high bridges. Two local guides, such as Josh, Dylan, Travis, or Emma, handle safety, share stories about native birds and restoration, and help first-timers feel at ease. Gear, wet-weather clothing, return transport, and digital photos are included.

“We were hosted by Danny, Lachie and Matthew and they were absolutely excellent. From the moment Danny picked us up from our accomodation, right through to Lachie and Matthew making sure all the harnesses and gear was fitted correctly and we understood all the safety stuff, everything was beautifully smooth. We loved the environmental focus and learned so much. I was a total beginner and flat out scared of heights, whereas my partner was quite experienced having worked at heights. We both really enjoyed it and were well taken care of.”

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Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet - A welcoming introduction to Māori customs
Dining Experiences, Maori Culture Tours, Maori Culture Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews

Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet

2.Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,575 reviews · 3 hours · from $101

Spend three hours at Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua, where you’ll enter a bush setting, watch warriors paddle a waka down the Wai-o-whiro stream, learn about Māori customs, enjoy songs and haka, and eat a generous hāngī buffet. The forest walk includes a sacred spring and, when conditions allow, glow worms.

“The leader was great and the dancers were fantastic”

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Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park Entry Ticket - Start at Lady Knox Geyser, not the main entrance
Geothermal Tours, Geothermal Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park Entry Ticket

3.Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,601 reviews · 3 months · from $28

Visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland near Rotorua with a full-day entry ticket, self-guided map, parking, and access to the Lady Knox Geyser presentation. Arrive early for the eruption, then follow three walking loops past Champagne Pool, Artist’s Palette, Devil’s Bath, bubbling mud, native bush, and steaming pools.

“Very well organized. The staff was friendly and helpful. The park is maintained very well and easy to walk. Beautiful sights.”

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Rotorua’s Ultimate Zipline: 6 ziplines, 400 m Tandem, Cliff Walk - Guides who make the height feel manageable
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Rotorua’s Ultimate Zipline: 6 ziplines, 400 m Tandem, Cliff Walk

4.Rotorua’s Ultimate Zipline: 6 ziplines, 400 m Tandem, Cliff Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,557 reviews · from $166

Spend about three hours flying through Rotorua’s ancient native forest on six ziplines, including a 400m tandem run reaching up to 80 km/h. You’ll cross swing bridges, floating stairs, and a volcanic walkway 50m above the valley, with trained guides, safety gear, transport, and digital photos included.

“Incredible adventure, loved visiting the beautiful ancient forest. Felt super safe. Matt and lochi were amazing guides thank you.”

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Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna - The first rapids help you find your rhythm
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Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna

5.Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,952 reviews · from $83

Take on the Kaituna River near Rotorua with a professional guide, full rafting equipment, and no previous experience required. The roughly 2.5-hour trip includes easy rapids, three waterfalls, and the famous 7-metre drop at Tutea Falls. Finish with a warm shower and free sauna. Children aged 10 to 12 join the half-river option.

“It is an intense but very fun experience. The pictures are true to life. We are in our 60’s and not very fit and we did fine.”

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Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū - Learning through song, games, and movement
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Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū

6.Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,546 reviews · from $167

Spend three hours at Te Pā Tū near Rotorua for a powhiri welcome, Māori song and dance, hands-on cultural learning, and a three-course seasonal fusion feast. Return transport from central Rotorua is included. Expect shared platters, bonfires, forest scenery, and a warm family-led presentation.

“Family of 4 (kids ages 11 & 13) really loved this experience! It was a cold, rainy night but the hosts adapted and the program was wonderful. Really educational and we felt like part of their family for the evening. Great vocal talents and they fed us well. Worth a visit!”

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Mitai Maori Village Cultural Experience in Rotorua - Arriving at Mitai and entering a sacred place
Maori Culture Tours, Maori Culture Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews

Mitai Maori Village Cultural Experience in Rotorua

7.Mitai Maori Village Cultural Experience in Rotorua

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,294 reviews · from $104

Spend about three hours at Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua with a Māori welcome, warrior canoe, bush walk, glowworms, cultural performances, and a generous hangi buffet. Hotel pickup is offered from local Rotorua accommodation, and the experience includes tea, coffee, and water. Expect a popular group setting rather than a private visit.

“The food was actually vey good😳 Rotorua has several of these shows…this one was convenient and less expensive. Very much as you’d expect: on-time hotel pickup, host introduction for about 100 guests, see where food is cooked, see dugout canoe arrive with crew, dinner, then all to tent for a show of tribal dance, etc. Not bad all in all and very positive vibe.”

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White Water Rafting - Kaituna Cascades, The Originals - Stop 1: Kaituna Cascades and the scenic reserve
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White Water Rafting – Kaituna Cascades, The Originals

8.White Water Rafting – Kaituna Cascades, The Originals

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,274 reviews · from $83

Meet your guides at Okere Falls for a two-hour Kaituna River rafting trip with 11 rapids and three waterfalls, including 23-foot Tutea Falls, the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. Guides such as Malcolm, Flynn, Mel, and Hamish are known for clear safety briefings and good humor. No rafting experience is required, but you must be fit, comfortable in water, and under 120 kilograms.

“Our FAVORITE excursion on our New Zealand Cruise. Malcom - our guide - AMAZING. Two in our group were VERY nervous because of the falls. However, did an amazing job on the safety briefing - with humor - that helped them relax. TRead more”

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Rotorua: Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner - Haka, songs, and the forest amphitheater
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Rotorua: Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner

9.Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,193 reviews · 3h 30m · from $167

Spend 210 minutes at Te Pā Tū, 12 kilometers south of Rotorua, with hotel pickup, forest canapés, Māori storytelling, haka, songs, hands-on activities, and a four-course feast. Guides introduce customs linked to the Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar. Outdoor seating is weather dependent, so bring warm clothes and comfortable shoes.

“Fabulous. Wonderful performances and hospitality. Information giving about Māori culture.”

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Rotorua: Hell's Gate Outdoor Mud Spa & Guided Walk - A guided tour adds stories the map cannot provide
Geothermal Tours, Geothermal Tours in Rotorua, Guided, Hot Pools and Spas in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Rotorua

Rotorua: Hell’s Gate Outdoor Mud Spa & Guided Walk

10.Hell’s Gate Outdoor Mud Spa & Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,140 reviews · 3 hours · from $68

At Hell’s Gate, about 15 minutes from Rotorua, you walk a marked geothermal route with a map or join an English-speaking guide such as Liam, Tee, Zia, or Ngati. Then comes a 20-minute mud bath, sulfur spa, cool plunge pool, and optional Māori carving.

“We loved it. It’s something you can’t experience anywhere else.”

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Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Experience - From Rotorua pickup to the Kahikatea forest base
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Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Experience

11.Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 840 reviews · from $49

Join Kaitiaki Adventures for a 2.5-hour Kaituna River rafting trip from Rotorua. Expert guides such as Jack, Ben, Kyle, and Erin lead first-timers through 14 rapids and three waterfalls, including 7-meter Tutea Falls. Gear, safety training, and central hotel pickup are included, with photos available afterward.

“We had the best time. Picked up from our hotel by Jack, then guided down the river by him. He was such great fun, clear on instructions and mad sure we learnt about the culture and had a great time. Would do it again in a heartbeat.”

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Rafting Rotorua Kaituna White Water Rafting | Kaitiaki Adventures - From central Rotorua to the Kahikitea Forest
Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, White Water Rafting, White Water Rafting in Rotorua

Rafting Rotorua Kaituna White Water Rafting | Kaitiaki Adventures

12.Rafting Rotorua Kaituna White Water Rafting | Kaitiaki Adventures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 759 reviews · from $83

Join Kaitiaki Adventures for a guided Kaituna River rafting trip near Rotorua. After a safety briefing and gear fitting, you’ll paddle through native forest, more than 14 rapids, and the famous 7-metre Tutea Falls. Hotel transfers, wetsuit, helmet, booties, life vest, and a professional guide are included. Allow about 3.5 hours overall.

“The staff was incredibly helpful, comforting and competent. We'd do it again, today (same day) if we could! Highly recommended! @Curtis was amazing as were his compadres 😉. Worth noting, their photographer is actually great and the photos an absolute necessity. Advised to take a 260 cam video (chest mount only allowed). I left mine sadly but the float and river is unreal beautiful!!”

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Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour - The first walk through the native bush
Glowworm Cave Tours, Glowworm Cave Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour

13.Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 675 reviews · from $77

Join Stephen from Real Rotorua for a 2.5 to 3-hour evening walk through native bush near Rotorua. A small group of up to eight follows torchlight to waterfalls, wildlife and thousands of glowworms. Torches, possible gumboots, photos, hotel transfers, hot chocolate and cookies are included.

“Was a nice experience and Stephen really knew a lot about glow worms, but also about volcanoes and all animals in the woods. Wasn’t borrowed 1 second”

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Rotorua: The National Kiwi Hatchery Kiwi Encounter Tour - Meeting the guides and learning the kiwi story
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Rotorua: The National Kiwi Hatchery Kiwi Encounter Tour

14.The National Kiwi Hatchery Kiwi Encounter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 671 reviews · 1 hour · from $44

Spend one hour with an English-speaking guide at Rotorua’s National Kiwi Hatchery. You’ll see adult kiwi in the Nocturnal House and, from September to March, may watch egg candling, chick checks, or feeding. Guides such as Mya, Kai, Theresa, and Nico are known for clear, lively explanations. Your ticket funds the hatchery.

“Nico was an amazing tour guide! And so very knowledgeable! we were so blessed to see the 2 kiwi and a newborn hatchling just 24 hrs old!! 🙏 thank you for all the conservation efforts to save these National Kiwi treasures!”

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Rotorua Forest Hot Tub Soak at Secret Spot - The cold plunge changes the experience
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Rotorua Forest Hot Tub Soak at Secret Spot

15.Rotorua Forest Hot Tub Soak at Secret Spot

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 556 reviews · from $27Best value

At Secret Spot Hot Tubs near Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest, you get a private 45-minute soak in a cedar tub beside the Puarenga Stream. The water comes from an aquifer spring, not a geothermal source. Order drinks from the café for tub-side delivery, try the cold plunge tubs, and hire towels, swimwear, or robes if needed.

“Staff were polite and very helpful. Very beautiful and peaceful facility, clean changing rooms and tidy”

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New in Rotorua Tours

★ 5.0TRIPLE DEAL Wai-O-Tapu, Redwood Forest & Blue Springs Ex AucklandFrom $20420 reviews
★ 5.0Volcanic Rotorua Day Trip from AucklandFrom $3664 reviews
★ 5.0Private Tour to Rotorua’s Natural wonders and Māori Arts & craft.From $8064 reviews
★ 5.0Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Rotorua5 reviews
★ 4.5Rotorua Highlights Tour inc. Te Puia Tour, Lunch & Cultural ShowFrom $26053 reviews
★ 5.0Private Tour WaiOtapu & Huka Falls & Blue springs from AucklandFrom $4033 reviews
★ 5.0Private Tour – Rotorua Adventures Day Trip From AucklandFrom $61919 reviews
★ 5.0Rotorua Full Day Private Tour from AucklandFrom $2163 reviews
★ 5.0WaiOtapu & Redwood forest & Blues springs from AucklandFrom $4653 reviews
★ 5.0Rotorua, Taupo, Waiotapu & Huka Falls Private TripFrom $46533 reviews
★ 5.0Private Driver Hire – Full-Day Touring-Auckland/Rotorua/Hamilton11 reviews
★ 4.5Rotorua & Taupo DayTour with Waiotapu & Huka Falls from AucklandFrom $46515 reviews
★ 5.0FULL DAY ROTORUA TOUR – Fully Customisable 13 hours Unlimited KMS12 reviews
★ 5.0Te Puia & Hells Gate incl. Mud Spa Experience Private TourFrom $7138 reviews
★ 5.0Rotorua Private tour with HotspringFrom $5278 reviews

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