Explore a thriving center of breathtaking thermal activity and traditional Maori culture during this scenic, full day visit to the historic spa town of Rotorua. Head via Te Puke, the world's largest kiwifruit growing region to the geothermic wonderland of Rotorua. Stop at the Agrodome to watch the country's best-trained champion rams parade on stage, and a sheep-shearing demonstration. The highly trained sheepdogs will finish the show with a display of sheep mustering. Drive past the Rotorua lakefront where you may see a variety of waterfowl as well as several local landmarks before arriving at the Skyline Gondola terminal. Here, you’ll embark one of the aerial gondolas for a breathtaking ride up the side of Mount Ngongotaha, enjoying panoramic vistas of Lake Rotorua, the city and surrounding areas. Arriving at the top of the mountain, the Skyline Restaurant with its unparalleled views is where you’ll be treated to a buffet Visit Te Puia, the home to the internationally renowned spouting Pohutu geyser and boasts silica terraces, pools of boiling mud and dramatic steams vents. Your Maori guide is keen to share the fascinating local lore and legends of this wonderful country. A strong sulfur smell, a product of the intense thermal activity, will fill the air. Remember to bring your cameras on this exciting geothermal experience.

View the reserve's fascinating re-creation of an early Maori village, and also have time to purchase souvenirs in the gift shop, including traditional Maori carvings. At Te Puia's Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, where for the past 45 years visitors have enjoyed this unique journey into the Maori's rich heritage, their mission is all about preserving the ancient skills and rich culture of the Maori. To that end, young people from across New Zealand are selected as apprentices. Here, the students learn skills ranging from carving to weaving, along with creating flax skirts and patterned bodices, and you will see all this at close hand.

OVERVIEW

Discover the wonderful world of truffles and enjoy a tasting at a farm that harvests these highly prized fungi. After a panoramic drive through Tauranga, you will head into the country to a truffière or truffle grove. In hopes of growing truffles, the owners planted hundreds of oaks and hazelnuts and inoculated them with the spores of Perigord truffles, as these trees often develop a symbiotic relationship with truffles. As you will discover, their experiment was a success. You will watch the farm dogs sniff out the truffles, which must be carefully extracted from the soil to prevent damage. It is a methodical process that reflects the value of truffles. You will also be treated to a sampling of truffle-infused products such as cheeses, honey and ice cream, all thoughtfully paired with beer or wine. Afterwards, you will drive along the coast in the shadow of the dormant volcano Mount Maunganui.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour a truffle farm and learn how the owners encouraged truffles to grow there.
• Watch trained truffle dogs sniff out the truffles that grow beneath the oaks and hazelnuts.
• Sample a selection of truffle-infused delicacies paired with local wine or beer.
• Behold Mount Maunganui, a dormant volcano that is sacred among the Maori.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Take an intimate cultural journey into Maori heritage at a local indigenous village and catch stunning views of the Bay of Plenty from Minden Lookout. From the pier, you’ll travel through modern, booming Tauranga and the Bethlehem suburbs on your way to Ngati Ranginui Marae. Arriving at this Maori village, you’ll be greeted by a gracious indigenous guide and escorted on a fascinating tour of this village well known for its hospitality. The tangata whenua, the local people, will help you feel at home as you explore their working settlement, where the ways of the Maori and early New Zealand settlers remain deeply tied to contemporary life. During your visit, you’ll have an opportunity to view craft-making and cooking underway and to experience the Maoris’ famous oral storytelling. Your hosts will also treat you to a refreshing tea before you depart for the wider world. Arriving up at Minden Lookout, you’ll find the perspective has gotten wide indeed. Expect to see across Tauranga, out into the Bay of Plenty, and, if conditions are favorable, even plumes of wispy smoke and steam rising from volcanic Whakaari, the White Island, offshore to the east.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel out into the countryside surrounding Tauranga to visit a local Maori village, known as a marae.
• Be welcomed by an indigenous guide as you begin an intimate tour of the village, meeting its hospitable residents and learning about their lives.
• Witness traditional craft-making and cooking underway, experience Maori’s tradition of storytelling, and share tea with your hosts.
• Driven up to Minden Lookout, be swept away by exceptional views out across the Bay of Plenty – and perhaps out to Whakaari volcano, puffing away some 30 miles offshore.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Admire the gorgeous panoramas while riding up Mount Ngongotaha in a window-walled gondola and delve into the world of sheep and sheepdogs at the Agrodome. You will get a good look at the area’s natural beauty on the way to Rotorua, as you will pass orchards of kiwifruit and Lake Rotorua. Still, the ultimate view of the sprawling city and shimmering lake will be from the Skyline gondola as you ascend the mountain. The higher you go, the more spectacular the vistas. Upon reaching the summit, you will dine at a restaurant that offers yet another perspective of the beautiful scenery below. Your attention will turn to sheep at the Agrodome, a real working farm. The show includes prize rams parading across the stage, sheep being sheared at jaw-dropping speeds and farm dogs using their prodigious skills to herd sheep – and even ducks for good measure.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride an enclosed, window-walled gondola up to the summit of Mount Ngongotaha.
• Enjoy a literal bird’s-eye view of the city of Rotorua, its namesake lake and mountains beyond.
• Gain an understanding of rural life at the Agrodome, a large working farm.
• Watch a sheep-shearing demonstration and highly intelligent farm dogs herding sheep.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Kayak across serene Lake Rotoiti, a sheltered waterway with abundant wildlife and natural geothermal pools along its scenic shoreline. After a briefing on how to get the most out of the adventure, you will ease into a double kayak and paddle off. Lake Rotoiti is wonderfully picturesque, in part because a lowland forest borders much of it. Pohutukawa, known as the Christmas tree for its crimson flowers and greens, also grows there. You can expect to spot wildlife along the way, especially water birds such as black swans. Once you reach the mineral-rich Manupirua hot pools, you will have the opportunity to soak in the soothing waters. The springs are of varying temperatures, so you can surely find one to your liking. You will also paddle through a cave softly illuminated by glow worms. It is quite the natural phenomenon.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kayak along the shores of Lake Rotoiti, a natural paradise with plenty of wildlife.
• Relax your muscles by soaking in the mineral-rich hot pools along the lake’s coast.
• Paddle through a cave illuminated only by glow worms.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear a swimsuit under your clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Zip around a geothermally heated lake in a jetboat and get an even closer look at the power and heat below the earth’s surface at Hell’s Gate. The collapse of a volcanic magma chamber thousands of years ago created a caldera that became Lake Rotorua once it filled with water. As you cruise along the shoreline, you will notice clouds of steam, sulfur in the air and an unusual greenish-blue tint to the water. They are all the result of the geothermal activity that continues today beneath the surface. The entire surrounding region sits within the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most active geothermal fields. That volcanic activity is even more apparent at Hell’s Gate. While walking through this reserve, you will see billowing steam, bubbling pools of warm mud and even a hot waterfall. Hell’s Gate is also a spa of sorts, as its nutrient-rich mud baths have natural healing powers.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore an exceptionally active geothermal area within the Pacific Ring of Fire.
• See clouds of geothermal steam rising from Lake Rotorua as you race across it on a jetboat.
• Walk through a hellish landscape of hissing steam vents and bubbling mud bathes at Hell’s Gate.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the culture of the Ngati Makino while visiting this Maori tribe’s fortified settlement, known as a pā. As the tribal members show you around their seaside village, you will walk along the defensive ramparts and see how traditional life is embraced. An eel-fishing demonstration will deepen your understanding of the lifestyle as will watching your lunch being prepared to steam-cook in a hangi, a traditional earthen pit oven. The ingredients are typically wrapped in flax leaves and placed on hot coals in the bottom of the hangi and left to cook for several hours. Oral storytelling plays a prominent role in Maori life because the Maori didn’t have a written language until the first Europeans arrived. As you will discover, storytelling is more than narration; it’s an emotionally moving performance that involves dancing, singing, chanting and praying. As a gesture of kinship, you can help plant a native manuka tree on the tribal grounds.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain an understanding of traditional Māori life in a tribal village.
• Watch demonstrations of eel fishing and cooking.
• Enjoy lunch cooked in a hāngī earthen pit oven.
• Listen to Māori storytellers recount ancient legends.
• Help plant a tree to commemorate the experience.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Visit a hatchery that raises kiwi birds and ride an ATV through fertile farmland that is home to all sorts of domesticated animals. The National Kiwi Hatchery is the country’s largest, most successful such conservation facility and offers an up-close look at New Zealand’s national bird. You will see kiwi eggs being incubated, watch footage of the hatching process and maybe even observe a newly hatched chick. Kiwis are flightless, have furlike plumage and lay eggs six times larger than eggs laid by birds of a similar size. Being nocturnal, they also have relatively poor eyesight and rely on their sense of smell and hearing and cat-like whiskers to feel their way around in the dark. You will see a variety of other animals up-close while riding around the nearby Agrodome in an all-terrain tractor trailer. This is an interactive visit, so you'll meet and possibly hand-feed loads of friendly animals, including Romney sheep, cattle, deer, llamas and alpacas. Enjoy a buffet lunch in the Farmyard Café featuring kiwi-inspired food before making your way back to the port.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn more about New Zealand’s national bird than you ever thought possible at a kiwi hatchery.
• See kiwis in various stages of development and learn unusual facts about the birds.
• Ride around the Agrodome farm in all-weather, all-terrain tractor trailer.
• View a variety of domesticated animals ranging from deer to Romney sheep.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Behold the geothermal wonders in Te Puia, a natural reserve with a deep connection to the Māori, and soak in the therapeutic waters of a hot spring’s spa. While wandering the trails that wind through Te Puia, you will gaze out over a Jurassic-like landscape of steaming geysers, bubbling mud pools and mineral-rich hot springs. The raw power of nature will be evident throughout this reserve that the Māori hold sacred. Your friendly local guide for a fascinating tour of the most geothermal valley in NZ and the NZ Māori Arts & Crafts Institute. At the Polynesian Spa in Rotorua, you can ease into its hot springs, whose geothermally heated waters have been harnessed to offer a variety of wellness experiences. You can expect to emerge from the outdoor bathing pools with glowing skin and an overall sense of relaxation and rejuvenation. Later, while driving through orchards of kiwi, you will pause to sample this iconic nutrient-rich fruit.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Be awed by Te Puia’s steaming geysers and mud pools in the primeval Whakarewarewa Valley.
• Discover why the Māori consider the valley sacred.
• Soak in the naturally heated outdoor bathing pools at the Polynesian Spa.
• Feast on a Kiwi-style buffet.
• Sample fresh-picked kiwi while pausing at a fruit orchard.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Treat yourself to a restorative experience at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa, a holistic wellness destination on the shores of Lake Rotorua that follows the healing practices of its owners, the Ngāti Whakaue Māori tribe. After a welcoming Māori prayer, you will indulge in a series of rituals that optimize the therapeutic powers of the geothermal pools, mineral-rich muds, steam rooms and serenity of the setting. Each element is designed to re-center the mind, revitalize the body and uplift the spirit. The seven-step elements include touching blessing stones imbued with spiritual powers, a waterfall shower experience and immersions in fire and ice caves. As you move through the restorative journey, you will gain insight into the cultural significance of each practice that honors manaakitanga, the centuries-old Māori tradition of generous hospitality and spiritual care. Wai Ariki means “chiefly waters,” a reference to Māori chiefs – known as akiris – also partaking of the geothermal waters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Indulge in a remarkable restorative experience at a Māori-owned wellness destination.
• Luxuriate in a seven-step journey meant to revitalize the body and enhance the spirit.
• Soak in geothermal pools and enjoy the benefits of soothing mists and mineral-rich muds.
• Learn about the cultural meanings of the restorative steps as you experience them.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Head into the idyllic rolling countryside on the outskirts of Tauranga to sample a remarkable variety of iconic foods and to converse with the artisans that produce them. Along the way, you may meet pastry chefs, organic farmers and orchard owners that will happily share their passion for locally sourced ingredients. You may watch cows being milked at a dairy farm and taste fresh milk straight from the source if you like. Other possible foodie experiences include sampling fresh-picked avocados while walking through the orchard, enjoying exotic-flavored ice cream with a cup of hot tea or coffee, and trying flaky pastries filled with fruit or jam. You may also be offered tastes of other local specialties such as macadamia nut oils, cheeses, honeys, and berries. The artisans that produce them will describe how they got involved in the burgeoning foodie culture and the local mindset that has helped it flourish. Your tour then takes you through Te Puke, the kiwifruit capital of the world, before arriving in the seaside settlement of Maketu. Here, history and beauty combine as you enjoy a light lunch at a beachside café. With stunning ocean views and delicious local fare, it's a fitting finale to this flavorful Bay of Plenty adventure.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Taste an array of foods made with locally sourced ingredients.
• Meet the artisans that made the foods and discover why the foods are so special.
• Sample organic fruits, fresh berries, flaky pastry, and milk straight from the source.
• Recognize how the local foodie culture developed and the reasons behind its popularity.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Ascend the extinct volcano Mount Maunganui by walking a winding natural trail that offers sweeping ocean views and discover how the native bush plants are used in a hands-on workshop. The volcano is Tauranga’s most iconic landmark as it rises majestically above the urban landscape. While following the mountain’s summit path of about two miles, you will gaze out over the city and the turquoise sea. The higher you go, the more spectacular the views. Birds such as yellow-crowned parakeets and sacred kingfishers may appear along the way, adding another natural element to the experience. You can’t help but feel a deep connection to the land, much like the local Māori. Storytelling during the workshop will reveal more about Māori traditions. You will also focus on how indigenous plants such as flax can be used as a medicine for various ailments, for weaving mats and fishing nets and as a construction material.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow the trail up Mount Maunganui, the dormant volcano that looms over Tauranga.
• Take in the gorgeous views of beach-blessed Tauranga and the sparkling sea beyond.
• Learn about the Māoris’ reverence for the volcano, which they call Mauao and hold sacred.
• See how native plants are used for medicine, weaving and construction in a hands-on workshop.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.