Tauranga Shore Excursion: Rotorua Highlights

ALL TOURS DEPARTURE TIMES WILL FIT WITH SHIPS ARRIVAL AND SAILING TIMES.

It is just a 2 minute walk from disembarkation place on port of Tauranga to tour meeting place.

Mount Maunganui is voted New Zealands number 1 beach and seaside resort. With its iconic Mauao - a volcanic lava dome, 232 mtrs high standing proudly at the headland and the 22kms of beautiful white sandy beach, not forgetting to mention Marine Parade which showcases some of New Zealand most expensive and luxurious holiday homes - this is not a place to miss seeing.

Kiwifruit capital of New Zealand. We are the 2nd largest supplier of kiwifruit in the world. Te Puke and its surrounding district supplies approx 184 million trays each year . Thats a lot of little kiwifruit. We will stop by an orchard for you to get up close and hear some more about this industry

On arrival into Rotorua - we will visit the Redwood Forest - Over 5600 hectares of forest awaits you. The forest is well known for the superb mountain biking and walking tracks and for the magnificent stand of Californian Coast Redwoods. These towering trees, along with numerous other species and the fresh forest air, combine to create an invigorating atmosphere and a truly unique and special environment for us to set up a tasting table of local kiwifruit and honey's'. It really is quite a spectacular place - which you wont want to miss.

The Government Gardens are situated on the lake's edge in central downtown Rotorua.This site is of legendary and historical importance to local Maori people, for here many significant battles have taken place. In the late 1800s, the Maori people gifted 50 acres of this land to the crown "for the benefit of the people of the world".
On entering Rotorua's Government Gardens, via the Prince's Gate Arches, you would be forgiven for thinking you had stepped into an Edwardian picture book. This isn't the whole picture though. We will explain more on the day - and allow a short time to peruse the gardens and Rachesl ancient hot spring.
NB: Unfortunately the buildings are currently undergoing some contruction so no opportunity to go inside these.

We will continue a little further along the road to find a lovely cafe - where you can purchases yourself some lunch, and /or wander around the lakefront of central Rotorua. The lunch venue will be what is available on the day - we may take you to the cafe at the Living Maori Village if the lakefront one is fully booked. Neither are very large cafe's.

Directly after lunch - you now get to visit the unique thermal wonderland of Whakarewarewa, an amazing landscape of erupting hot springs, bubbling mud and the famous Pohutu Geyser, which erupts up to 20 times a day. Take a walking tour with a Maori guide to hear how people came to live in harmony with this volatile environment, learning to use the boiling cauldrons and jets of steam for everyday purposes such as cooking and communal bathing.

After learning about Maori traditions and culture, see this way of life in action when you visit New Zealand's only authentic living Maori village. Experience a traditional Maori welcome with songs and dances, including the famously war like Haka dance.

Complete your Rotorua shore excursion with a short stop at the Kaituna Rapids and Trout Pool. We might get to see the white water rafters coming through here.
The Kaituna River is the outflow from Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti, and flows northwards for 45 kilometres, emptying into the Bay of Plenty. It has relevant Maori history and provides a glimpse into how / why NZ'ers love the outdoors so much.

Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We can amend tour start and end times to fit with ships arrival & departures.
Zealandier Tours has been delivering Shore Excursions for over 10 years and knows exactly what the cruise passenger is wanting on their excursion.
Providing our guests the maximum of
• Experiences, Scenic Splendours & Unique Cultures in the allotted timeframes which you have.
• Our emphasis is on your comfort, safety, attention to details, and guarantees a quality experience.
• We recognize you see a lot of our coast line but not so much of our landscapes, therefore our itineraries are very full to add value to your day.
• Zealandier Tours staff are professional and personal and are prepared to go the extra mile to ensure your vacation experience in New Zealand is extraordinary.

We will ensure your timely return to the Tauranga port for this activity. In the rare event - should your ship have departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of call.