New Zealand · ROTORUA TOURS

The 15 Best Rotorua Tours & Thermal Experiences

105 tours  ·  from $11

Steam comes out of the ground in the middle of town, so the sightseeing here is unusually easy. The 15 below cover the thermal parks, the marae evenings, the zipline forest and the mud spas, priced and paced honestly.

Rotorua Canopy Tours: 2.5Hour Native Forest Zipline Adventure - Arriving at Fairy Springs Road
Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Zip Lines

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 with two local guides, safety gear, six ziplines, bridges, and conservation stories. Guides such as Josh, Dylan, Travis, and Emma are praised for calm instruction and humor. Free digital photos and wet-weather gear are included.

“Amazing adventure, instructors were brilliant and very reassuring. Had a fantastic time exploring the forest. Super insightful information about wildlife and just a general fab thing to do. Will book again when we come back to NZ”

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Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet - A forest walk with a sacred spring and glow worms
Buffet Experiences, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Māori Cultural Tours, Māori Cultural 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 Maori Village near Rotorua, where a Maori guide explains customs, warriors paddle a waka down the Wai-o-whiro stream, performers present songs and haka, and a generous hangi buffet follows. The bush walk includes a sacred spring and, when conditions allow, glow worms.

“It was brilliant learning about different cultures. The food was excellent ( top marks ). Show was also very good and explained very clearly on the Māori culture.”

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Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park Entry Ticket - Start with Lady Knox at 10:15am
Geothermal Park Tours, Geothermal Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Tours

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

Walk three marked trails through Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, seeing Champagne Pool, Artist’s Palette, Devil’s Bath, bubbling mud, and steaming ground. Arrive by 10:15am for Lady Knox Geyser, then return to explore at your own pace. Parking, a map, café, toilets, and picnic areas are provided.

“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 - The forest is the real star
Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Rotorua, Zip Lines

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

You’ll spend about three hours flying across six ziplines, including a 400-meter tandem line, then crossing swing bridges, floating stairs and a volcanic walkway 50 meters above the valley. Guides such as Mitch, Sam, Nina and Jacob keep the pace safe and lively. Warm gear, transport and digital photos are included.

“Very adventurous yet safe. So fun zip lining and seeing all the natural beauty around us. Guide was amazing!”

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Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna - The safety briefing sets the tone
Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, White Water Rafting

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 gear, and no previous experience required. You will handle Grade 5 rapids, three waterfalls, and the 7-meter Tutea Falls. A free sauna waits afterward, and children aged 10 to 12 join a shorter half-river route.

“Fantastic experience and so much fun for our entire family. Crew and guides were so cool, hilarious and knowledgeable. They made us all feel safe. My daughters were nervous at the beginning but turned out they are so happy they rafted down the Kaituna River and crushed that big waterfall. All the gear is provided, full explanation of the process and instructions for the rafting trip. I can’t recommend this excursion enough.”

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Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū - Seasonal kai and the shared three-course dinner
Māori Cultural Tours, Māori Cultural Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews

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 with a powhiri welcome, Māori songs, dance, customs, and a seasonal three-course fusion dinner. A guide escorts you by air-conditioned coach, with return transport from central Rotorua. Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking.

“Outstanding experience i would recommend it to everyone that wants to learn about the culture. Great experience”

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Mitai Maori Village Cultural Experience in Rotorua - Arrival at 196 Fairy Springs Road
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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 round-trip local transfers, a welcome, bush walk, glowworms, waka canoe display, cultural performances, Q&A, and a buffet hangi dinner. Choose from eight languages when booking, and expect some uneven forest paths.

“Great experience, amazing food, very friendly, 100% recommend. Such a beautiful place. Really enjoyed the evening”

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Rotorua: Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner - A welcome among bonfires and tawa trees
Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Māori Cultural Tours, Māori Cultural Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews

Rotorua: Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner

8.Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner

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

Spend 210 minutes at Te Pā Tū, a forest gathering place 12km south of Rotorua. Learn Māori customs, practice poi, sticks, and haka, then watch songs and dance in a forest amphitheater before a four-course fusion feast. Hotel pickup, return transport, canapés, and water are included.

“Amazing, awesome. Authentic cultural experience. Beautiful people. Heaps of delicious food. Fantastic entertainment. Great value.”

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Rotorua: Hell's Gate Outdoor Mud Spa & Guided Walk - Starting with the geothermal walk
Geothermal Park Tours, Geothermal Tours in Rotorua, Guided, Hot Pools and Spas in Rotorua, Massage & Relaxation, Rotorua Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Rotorua

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

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

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

Spend three hours at Hell’s Gate, about 15 minutes from Rotorua, walking a steaming geothermal field, trying Māori carving, and soaking in mineral mud and sulphur pools. Choose a self-guided route or join an English tour led by guides such as Liam, Tee, Zia, or Nati.

“The tour was fantastic. Tee was our guide and he was so informative, respectful and fun. He made the tour exceptional. We highly recommend it.”

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

Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Experience

10.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 with Kiwi guides such as Jack, Ben, or Kyle. Learn about Kaitiakitanga, paddle through 14 rapids, and tackle 7-metre Tutea Falls, the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall. Gear, safety training, and central Rotorua transport are included.

“The experience was mind blowing, Ben our Gide was brilliant and took the time to explain everything. Nothing to improve.”

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From Rotorua: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch - Arriving at the working sheep farm
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Lunch Experiences, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Rotorua: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch

11.Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 765 reviews · 6h 30m · from $182

Travel by coach from Rotorua across the Mamaku Ranges to Hobbiton, where an English-speaking guide leads you past Hobbit holes, the Mill, Green Dragon Inn, Party Tree, and double arched bridge. You also get a buffet lunch, scenic commentary, and time for photos and the gift shop.

“I loved the beautiful flowers, vegetable gardens and fruit trees. What amazing property. Seeing the small hobbit village was a treat and going into the hobbit house at the end was special too. The buffet at the end was very good and plenty. The only thing I can think of that would make it better would be to be able to see hobbit characters to pose with or perhaps a map or pamphlet of the journeys Bilbo and Frodo took leaving the Shire. Thank you it was a lovely experience!”

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

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 run from Rotorua. Expect native forest, steep volcanic gorges, more than 14 rapids, and the famous 7-metre Tutea Falls. Guides such as Jack, Hudson, Ben, and Reiya are known for clear safety briefings and plenty of good humor.

“The tour guides were absolutely amazing and full of confidence which made the experience extremely fun! We went over 3 waterfalls and loads of rapids! The pictures taken were epic & everyone was just great. Don't miss out on this experience.”

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Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour - Into the native bush after sunset
Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waitomo 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 small-group night walk through native bush near Rotorua. After a short minivan ride, follow a 2-kilometer trail past waterfalls, wallabies, possums, and wētā to cliffs lit by thousands of glow-worms. Torches, photos, hot chocolate, and cookies are included.

“I joined the glow worm tour with Stephen as our guide, and it was a wonderful experience. He used LED and infrared flashlights to safely guide us through the forest, pointing out interesting plants along the way and showing us the glow wRead more”

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Rotorua: The National Kiwi Hatchery Kiwi Encounter Tour - Starting at the Agrodome
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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 at the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa near Rotorua, where guides such as Teresa, Kai, Mya, and Nico explain kiwi breeding, egg care, and release work. You may see adult kiwi in the Nocturnal House, eggs, health checks, or newly hatched chicks during September to March.

“Getting to see some of the baby chicks was a highlight.”

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Hobbiton Day Tour from Rotorua with lunch at Hobbiton - Walking among the hobbit holes
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Lunch Experiences, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hobbiton Day Tour from Rotorua with lunch at Hobbiton

15.Hobbiton Day Tour from Rotorua with lunch at Hobbiton

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 563 reviews · from $189

Travel from Rotorua to Matamata in a luxury coach, then tour Hobbiton with a guide. See the hobbit holes, Mill, Party Tree, Green Dragon Inn, and interactive interiors before a buffet lunch. Guides such as Ngata, Hannah, Dom, and Kingston have added local stories and humor to the journey.

“When all the tickets were sold out on the official website, this trip saved us with two tickets available 4 days away. Hobbiton was obviously fantastic, could not have been a more wholesome experience with a surprisingly top-notch luncRead more”

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New in Rotorua Tours

★ 5.0Thrilling Riverbug Adventure on the Rangitāiki RiverFrom $1184 reviews
★ 5.0Te Puia: Te Rā Guided Day Tour and Haka PerformanceFrom $794 reviews
★ 4.6Te Puia: Te Pō Combo: Te Rā, Dinner, and Haka PerformanceFrom $1635 reviews
★ 4.4White Island, Mount Tarawera & Waimangu Volcanic …From $6155 reviews
★ 4.8Waimangu Volcanic Valley Ticket & Self-Guided WalkFrom $38104 reviews
★ 4.8Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa 1hr Restorative BathingFrom $5916 reviews
★ 4.6Velocity Valley – Two Ride PassFrom $688 reviews
★ 5.0Velocity Valley – Four Ride PassFrom $1163 reviews
★ 4.9Velocity Valley – One Ride PassFrom $3815 reviews
★ 5.0Velocity Valley – NEW Vertigo 43m dropFrom $1043 reviews
★ 4.5The Buried Village of Te WairoaFrom $14105 reviews
★ 4.7Waimangu Valley Walk and Steaming Cliffs Kayak TourFrom $1326 reviews
★ 4.8Rotorua Sledging: Kaituna White Water River Board ExperienceFrom $8636 reviews
★ 3.8Secret adventure kayaking to natural hot springsFrom $743 reviews
★ 4.9Scenic Flight over Mt Tarawera & Waimangu ValleyFrom $23625 reviews

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Māori Cultural Tours83Geothermal Park Tours37Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Tours30Spa & Hot Springs24Museums13Historical Tours25
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