Our most recommended things to do in Bay of Plenty Region

Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet

1. Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet

Enter a Maori village in a natural bush setting and learn about their customs during an immersive cultural experience. Following pickup from your Rotorua accommodation, if option booked, get a warm meet and greet from a beautiful Maori maidens. Learn the guidelines to enter the sacred site and select a chief from your group to represent those visiting the village. See warriors in traditional dress paddle an ancient warrior canoe down the Wai-o-whiro stream and marvel at glow worms in their natural habitat. Be captivated by the songs and dances of an entertaining concert, complete with the spine-tingling haka war dance. Watch as the hangi feast is removed from the earth-cooked oven, explore the art of ta moko (tattoo) and more.  Feast on a hot selection of succulent meats and poultry, vegetables and fresh salads, topped off with tempting desserts.

Rotorua: Te Pa Tu Maori Cultural Experience with Dinner

2. Rotorua: Te Pa Tu Maori Cultural Experience with Dinner

Discover the traditional Maori way of life during a cultural experience in Rotorua. Enjoy an evening of performances, dance, and a 4-course meal based on seasonal cuisine that is served under an al fresco (outdoor area). Indulge in Maori songs and traditions aligned to and changing with the Maramataka (Maori lunar calendar). Watch a cultural performance and learn local indigenous customs. Be immersed in towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheater. Start your dinner off with forest canapes that culminate in a lavish 3-course fusion feast designed by award-winning Maori chefs, and prepared in-house. Enjoy your meal outside or take in views from the indoor area (weather dependent).

Rotorua: Hell's Gate Geothermal Walk, Mud Bath & Sulphur Spa

3. Rotorua: Hell's Gate Geothermal Walk, Mud Bath & Sulphur Spa

Discover the best of Hell's Gate Geothermal Park in Rotorua with daily guided tours, a map for a geothermal walk, and multiple spa experiences. Enjoy mud baths, a mud foot pool, sulfur spas, Māori carving, and more. Located approximately 15 minutes from the town's center, Hell's Gate awaits. When you arrive, choose to start your visit by discovering the geothermal features using an included map or join one of the daily guided tours. After learning about the history, features, and uniqueness of the geothermal area and the unique healing muds of Hell's Gate, experience New Zealand’s historic spa for yourself. Soak in unique thermal mud and acidic sulfurous waters that have been used by the local Maori for more than 800 years. The warm geothermal mud opens and cleans the skin’s pores, while the sulfur spas give your skin gentle exfoliation and deep cleansing. 

Auckland to Rotorua Small Group Tour & Activity Add-Ons

4. Auckland to Rotorua Small Group Tour & Activity Add-Ons

The tour starts with pickup from Auckland city, where the adventure begins as you drive through the stunning Waikato countryside, the most extensive farming area in the world, on a fully guided journey to Rotorua. Along the way, don’t forget to take advantage of the photo opportunities as you admire the stunning natural landscapes all around of beautiful mountains and farmlands. As you drive, pass through the pass through the unique town of Tirau, the corrugated iron sculpture capital of the world, and the stunning Fitzgerald Glade. Upon arrival in Rotorua, enjoy a guided tour of the city’s most famous and historical sites including Lake Rotorua, The Government Gardens, Blue Baths, Thermal Springs and Polynesian Spa. From here enjoy the option to add on up to two of Rotorua's most popular activities and attractions (additional cost). Please add on the activities or attractions you would like to include during the booking process. Maybe head to the famous geothermal park and Maori cultural village of Te Puia, bathe in the geothermal waters of the Polynesian Spa, experience some farm culture at the Agrodome Sheep Show, or ride the gondola at Skyline! Or you can simply choose to explore the city at your own pace before your return to Auckland.

Waiotapu: Thermal Park and Lady Knox Geyser Entry Ticket

5. Waiotapu: Thermal Park and Lady Knox Geyser Entry Ticket

Discover Wai-O-Tapu, an active geothermal area at the southern end of the Okataina Volcanic Center, just north of the Reporoa caldera, in New Zealand's Taupo Volcanic Zone with this entry ticket. Let the eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser take your breath away.  Experience the Wai-O-Tapu park which means “sacred waters” in Maori, and which is the homeland of the Ngati Whaoa tribe who descended from those on the Arawa waka. Admire the colorful hot springs, such as the Champagne Pool, Artist’s Palette, Primrose Terrace and the boiling mud pools. The striking appearance of these springs is due to dramatic geothermal conditions beneath the earth. Get access to this 18 square kilometer geothermal area. Arrive in the morning and the see the 10:30 AM eruptIon of the Lady Knox Geyser. Marvel as hot water is shot sky-high from deep within the earth.

Kaituna River and Tutea Falls Whitewater Rafting

6. Kaituna River and Tutea Falls Whitewater Rafting

Join an epic grade 5 whitewater rafting expedition on the Kaituna River and get an adrenaline rush in its deep warm water canyons. Located a 25-minute drive from central Rotorua, the rafting base is next to the Okere Falls Scenic Reserve.  Join an expert guide on an action-packed, 50-minute adventure down 14 epic rapids. Brave the famous 7-meter Tutea Falls, the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. A must-do for adrenaline junkies and first-time rafters alike, the adventure is run by super-friendly guides to give you the safest and most entertaining trip on the river. Stretch your legs on the nearby walking track at the end of your raft to watch the rapids tumble over the falls, or head to the nearby cafe to enjoy some food and the best selection of craft beer in Rotorua.

Rotorua: Te Puia Geothermal Valley Guided Tour with Tickets

7. Rotorua: Te Puia Geothermal Valley Guided Tour with Tickets

Enjoy a guided experience to explore the magic within Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley in Rotorua, home to Te Puia. Explore breathtaking local landscapes surrounded by mud pools and geysers. Pay a visit to the Kiwi Conservation Centre and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. Start off by checking in with the team and meeting your guide, who will help you connect with the Te Puia experience. Walk through native bushland, steaming geysers, and mud pools, and even see the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere explode before you. Get up close and personal with kiwi birds with tickets to the brand-new Kiwi Conservation Centre. Access the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute and see demonstrations of traditional wood, stone, and bone carving. Browse a range of handcrafted taonga created by local artists at Āhua Gallery.

Rotorua: Nocturnal Glow Worm Tour with a Guide

8. Rotorua: Nocturnal Glow Worm Tour with a Guide

Explore New Zealand's native forest and wildlife after dark on this guided tour from Rotorua. Discover waterfalls, towering trees and giant ferns accompanied by thousands of glow worms as breath taking as our clearest night sky. Watch as your guide points out other nocturnal creatures in the forest. Before departing from Rotorua, get kitted out with the necessary equipment including specialized flashlights, boots, and wet weather gear (if needed) by your guide. After a 25-minute drive, the real adventure begins. After a walk through the darkness of a native New Zealand forest you will be guided by the sound of running water. Towering banks will rise up around you. It’s time to switch off your flashlights. literally thousands of glow-worms light up like the clearest night sky, forming their own constellations all around you. Enjoy a trek in the dark and discover something new with every twist and turn of the trail. Top off your stellar evening by relaxing under the stars.

From Rotorua: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch

9. From Rotorua: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch

Venture to the lands of Middle Earth on this half-day Hobbit movie set tour from Rotorua. Visit the working sheep farm that director Peter Jackson transformed into the Shire. See where Bilbo Baggins lived and the quest for the ring began, and enjoy a festive lunch. After departing the Lake Rotorua area your coach will take you across the scenic Mamaku Ranges and through the native Fitzgerald Glade, before arriving in the Waikato Region and the rolling hills of the Shire. While exploring the Hobbit film set, your guide will recount fascinating details on how the set was created as well as provide inside stories on the making of the films. During your tour, you'll see such famous movie locations as the Green Dragon Pub, the mill, the double arched bridge, and the famous Party Tree.

Tauranga: Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour

10. Tauranga: Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour

Try a unique glow worm kayak tour, complete with refreshments, beautiful scenery, fantastic birdlife, and glow worms. Travel over the night waters in Lake McLaren with your guide to take in the glow worms in action. Snack on New Zealand cheeses and other refreshments along the edge of Lake McLaren. Your experienced kayak guide will prepare and brief you on how to kayak effectively before launching you onto picturesque Lake McLaren at twilight. See constellations of glow worms as your guide leads you into the canyon at the top of the lake and learn about the life cycles and peculiarities of this fascinating creature along the way.

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What people are saying about Bay of Plenty Region

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 1,813 reviews

This was such an amazing day which our whole party enjoyed (family with two teenagers). I had read reviews that the tour moves too quickly, but we found that it moved at a good pace. We had plenty of time in the gift-shop and plenty of time to take photos of all the hobbit holes. Yes, you have to keep moving but we didn't feel rushed. The lunch was amazing - there was so much food! Our guides were great - both the bus driver from Rotorua who gave us commentary on the area during the trip, and the Hobbiton guide who was entertaining and made sure we had time for photos.

Wow, this was a great experience, especially because of the amazing guides Phoebe and Alex! Being in this super special forest has made me feel grateful for the nature even more. A lot of action, too, but the guides are actually protectors of the native forest and its fauna, which makes the price even mire worth it.

Travelling took part in a very spacious, very comfortable van / minibus. Edson, our driver, was a delight and very knowledgeable. Hobbiton is a must for every Lord of the Rings fan. It’s been an unforgettable experience.

Simon was an excellent tour guide! He explained everything, was on time and provided informative commentary and music during our ride.

We had such a fun day. Our guides were amazing and very friendly. Being rainy definately made the experience more worth it