Departing Tauranga for Rotorua, we pass through the Te Puke region, the home of the New Zealand Kiwifruit with chance to see the many orchards growing this iconic New Zealand fruit.
Our route then continues through farmland, native bush and forested areas, passing by Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotorua before arriving at Te Whakarewarewa - Te Puia.
Te Puia, the home of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and the location of the famous Pohutu geyser. We visit the carving school and see craftsman fashion traditional wood carvings, then move on to watch Maori women demonstrate flax weaving.
A short walk through the geothermal valley of Whakarewarewa to view the mud pools, the famous Pohutu geyser and hot pools that make Te Puia unique. See New Zealand's iconic flightless bird, the Kiwi in a purpose built kiwi-house. Explore the recreated traditional Maori fortified village.
A Maori Cultural Performance will be given on the Marae, in one of the few fully carved meeting houses in New Zealand, a place of special spiritual significance to Maori. Here you will see the traditional songs, dances and demonstrations of fighting skills [including the Haka] performed. There is time at Te Puia to enjoy a light lunch at their cafe.[at your own cost].
After lunch we drive through Rotorua city to see the Government Gardens, the Rotorua Bath House [now a museum], Rachel's Pool, the Blue Baths, the Polynesian Spa and other city sights depending on the time available before the second highlight of the day, an exhilarating Jet Boat ride across Lake Rotorua to the island of Mokoia.
Located in the middle of the lake, Mokoia Island is the site of one of our country's most famous love stories and the home of some of our most notorious Maori warriors and tribes. This beautiful and tranquil island features heavily in many local stories and historical events, as you would have heard during the concert at Te Puia earlier. Of particular interest to geographers, it is a Rhyolite Lava Dome rising up to 180 metres above the lake surface.
Mokoia Island is a wildlife sanctuary and is home to approximately 25 Kiwi, 5 endangered species, 20 protected species and over 40 common species. The birds flourish in this predator free environment, filling the canopy with their songs and a short guided walk through the forest should let you hear some of these birds.
The island's foreshores are littered with natural, geothermal springs, including the famous Hinemoa's Hot Pool, which you will visit on the short walk on the island before the Jet Boat ride back to Rotorua.
The tour then departs Rotorua for the return to Tauranga. On the way we tour through Mount Maunganui to view its famous ocean beaches, harbour and the iconic Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcanic core, which gives the area its name.
Highlights:
- Geothermal Mud Pools & Geysers
- Government Gardens & Bath House
- Kiwifruit orchards
- Maori wood carving & flax weaving
- Mokoia Island
- Mount Maunganui beaches
- Native NZ Kiwi bird
- Rachel's Pool & Blue Baths
- Rotorua City Sights & Lake
Included:
- Comfortable air-conditioned transport
- Entry to Te Puia and Maori Concert
- Experienced private guide
- Guided walk on Mokoia Island
- Jet Boat Ride on Lake Rotorua
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