• Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland - Prepare for a vibrant day to remember, so ensure your cameras are fully charged and ready to capture the moments.

As the journey begins from Tauranga, it will take approximately 1.5 hours to reach Wai-o-tapu. Relax and enjoy the ride with complimentary snacks and soft drinks while admiring the stunning Aotearoa landscape. Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland is recognized as “One of the 20 Most Surreal Places in the World,” formed over thousands of years. Its unique attractions include the renowned Champagne Pool with its natural colors, bubbling mud, steaming grounds, vast vistas, large volcanic craters, and sinter terrace formations. The Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at 10:15 am, reaching heights of up to 20 meters. The Visitor Centre offers a variety of souvenirs and a café where you can purchase food and drinks.

On the relaxed drive back to the ship, there will be time to review the many photos from your day filled with vibrant colors.

You will be returned to your ship at the Port of Tauranga 2 hours before your departure time.

• Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest - TIME PERMITTING ONLY: Locally known as ‘The Redwoods,’ the 55,000-hectare Whakarewarewa Forest is a haven for mountain bikers, walkers, hikers, and horse riders, set among magnificent stands of towering Californian Redwoods, lush native forest, and exotic trees.

The Redwood Memorial Grove, planted in 1901, honors the men of the New Zealand Forest Service who died in the two World Wars. These iconic trees stand approximately 67 meters (219 feet) tall, offering incredible photo opportunities. This easy short walk also features a boardwalk over an old thermal pond, home to unique aquatic plant life.

• Sulphur Point - TIME PERMITTING ONLY: Situated at the southern end of Lake Rotorua, Sulphur Bay exemplifies Rotorua’s renowned geothermal environment.

The ever-changing landscape around the bay offers everything visitors to Rotorua could desire. Silica flats, rocky terraces, and sulphur ledges accompany active boiling mud pools and steam vents. The water’s milky color is due to suspended sulphur particles.

The bay’s proximity to feeding grounds and the warmth from geothermal activity attract many native birds. Birdwatching enthusiasts can spot around 60 different species here, including the banded dotterel, the scaup, and three types of gulls in this protected wildlife reserve.

• Government Gardens - TIME PERMITTING ONLY: These beautiful and expansive gardens are located near the center of Rotorua. The Government Gardens feature a bowling club, pétanque, croquet, and a golf course.

Within the gardens, you’ll find various points of interest, including the 1927 Arawa Soldiers Memorial, several geothermal features, and the Kwaqiulth Totem Pole. The meticulously maintained gardens are a short walk from Lake Rotorua, the town center, and the wildlife refuge of Sulphur Bay.

The land holds legendary and historical significance to the local Maori people, with several important battles having occurred there. The original Maori owners gifted the 50 acres of land in the late nineteenth century for ‘the benefit of the people of the world.’

The Government Gardens also house the Rotorua Museum, Polynesian Spa, and the Blue Baths. The restored Blue Baths offer the chance to enjoy a dip in the warm waters and relax in an architecturally stunning building.

• Bottled water
• Snacks
• Guide

• Lunch

Standard tour hours are from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (confirmation will be provided beforehand).

Formed by volcanic activity over thousands of years, Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is renowned as New Zealand’s most vibrant and varied geothermal attraction. Visitors are welcomed to a distinct natural landscape, with the wonders lying beneath the surface, part of one of New Zealand’s largest geothermal systems, spanning over 18 square kilometers.

If time allows, additional stops at local attractions will be included.

• Comfortable footwear is recommended

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.