Auckland: TE PUIA Rotorua, Redwood & Blue Springs Day Tour
Waipa District, Auckland
3xDEAL Experience a full-day Rotorua adventure from Auckland with scenic stop, guided tour of Te Puia’s Pohutu Geyser, Maori Haka, a Redwood Forest walk, and the stunning Blue Springs.
Highlights
- Convenient hotel pickup from Auckland CBD and Airport Hotels
- Guided Te Puia experience with geysers, mud pools, and Kiwi Conservation Centre
- Māori Arts & Crafts Institute and cultural performance
- Free walk among towering redwoods in Rotorua’s Redwood Forest
- Visit the crystal-clear Putāruru Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Description
This full-day tour from Auckland to Rotorua explores geothermal features and Māori culture, suitable for travelers interested in nature and heritage.
Your day begins with hotel pickup from Auckland CBD (5:45–6:00 AM) or Auckland Airport Hotels (6:15–6:30 AM), followed by a scenic two-hour drive through the Waikato countryside. The first stop is Tirau, a small town known for corrugated iron sculptures and animal-shaped buildings, where you can stretch your legs and grab a coffee during a 15-minute break.
Continue for another hour to Rotorua and visit Te Puia, the region’s geothermal park and cultural centre. Explore active geothermal features such as the Pōhutu Geyser, mud pools, and steaming vents. At the Kiwi Conservation Centre, view New Zealand’s national bird up close. Then see traditional Māori carving and weaving at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.
The guided 90-minute Te Puia tour includes stories about Māori heritage and a cultural performance in the Te Aronui a Rua meeting house. Experience a pōhiri (welcome), waiata (song), mōteatea (chant), poi dance, and haka. Arrive 15 minutes early; lunch is available for purchase at the Te Puia café or restaurant.
After the tour, enjoy a scenic drive through Rotorua’s highlights, then take a free walk through the Redwood Forest featuring towering Californian redwoods and native ferns. On the return trip, stop at Putāruru Blue Spring on the Te Waihou Walkway, known for its clear turquoise water filtered underground for up to 100 years. The spring maintains a cool 11°C year-round and is surrounded by bush, farmland, and wetlands.
The tour ends with a relaxing drive back to Auckland, returning to your hotel around 6:00 PM.
Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Round-trip transportation by bus
- Visit to Te Puia Rotorua Geothermal Park
- Māori cultural performance
- Guided tour of the geothermal park
- Visit to Kiwi Conservation Centre
Excludes
- Coffee and lunch
- Personal expenses
Important Information
- All Te Puia experiences are guided and last 90 minutes. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
- Lunch is available for purchase at the Te Puia café or restaurant.
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
For the best experience, bring comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and a camera. Booking early is recommended as the tour fills quickly.
