Ohinemutu geothermal village tour & Waiariki Spa: 16+

Ohinemutu's geothermal pools and St Faith's church, then the Restorative Journey's seven healing steps

A private guided walking tour through Ohinemutu, a living Māori geothermal village on the shores of Lake Rotorua, followed by a 2-hour Restorative Journey at Waiariki Spa: a 7-step multisensory wellness experience blending Māori healing practices with geothermal heat, water, mud and steam. The tour is led by a Ngāti Whakaue descendant or family member. Entry to both sites, grazing platters, towels, robes and lockers are included. Minimum age is 16. Not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health.

Step-by-step itinerary

Māori village tour and spa experience

• Private guided tour of Ohinemutu village
• Explore geothermal pools and cultural sites
• Relax at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa
• Enjoy 2-hour Wai Whakaora restorative journey

The experience

Ohinemutu sits on Lake Rotorua's shores as a living Māori geothermal village and the spiritual heart of Rotorua. Your guide (a Ngāti Whakaue descendant or family member) walks you through the village's natural cooking pools and bathing areas, the paramount traditional meeting house, and St Faith's Anglican church. The village was Rotorua's city centre in the early 1870s, when visitors including royalty passed through before heading to the Pink and White Terraces. Today it remains a place of historic and cultural significance for the people of Rotorua, and the tour grounds that history in the landscape itself.

After the village walk, you move to Waiariki Spa on the same lake shore. The 2-hour Restorative Journey, called Wai Whakaora, unfolds in seven steps, each one designed to blend Māori cultural traditions and traditional healing practices with the geothermal elements: heat, water, mud and steam. The spa is owned by Ngāti Whakaue and built on their legacy of healing and manaakitanga, or warm hospitality. Bring swimwear and slides or go barefoot. Towels, robes and lockers are supplied.

The full experience runs seven hours. Shared grazing platters of sandwiches, fruit and cake arrive with juice, water and herbal tea. Bottled water is available throughout. All areas are wheelchair accessible. The tour is adults only (16 years and above), and is not recommended for pregnant travelers or anyone with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

• Entry to Ohinemutu village and Waiariki Spa.
• the 2-hour Restorative Journey with its seven geothermal and healing steps.
• shared grazing platters of sandwiches, fruit and cake with juice, water and herbal tea.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• towel, robe and locker for the spa experience.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 09:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Under 16: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Go out through the gates at the Ports of Tauranga through security and our driver will meet you there with a sign with your names on it”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Ready2Roll Tours and Transfers

Is this one for you?This tour suits adults seeking a deeper cultural and wellness experience in a private setting with a Ngāti Whakaue guide. The seven-step Restorative Journey (unique to Waiariki and built on Māori healing traditions) pairs the geothermal village's history with an immersive spa treatment, making it distinct from standard thermal pool visits.

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Top questions

What will I see and do during the Ohinemutu village walk?

You'll walk through the geothermal village with a Ngāti Whakaue guide, viewing the natural cooking and bathing pools, the traditional meeting house, and St Faith's Anglican church. The guide shares the village's history as Rotorua's early city centre and its ongoing spiritual and cultural significance to the iwi (tribe).

What exactly is the Restorative Journey at Waiariki Spa?

The Restorative Journey is a 2-hour, 7-step multisensory wellness experience that combines Māori healing traditions with geothermal elements: heat, water, mud and steam. It's designed to relax and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul, and is unique to Waiariki Spa.

What's included in the tour price?

Entry to Ohinemutu and Waiariki Spa, shared grazing platters with sandwiches, fruit and cake, juice, water and herbal tea, bottled water throughout the day, and towels, robes and lockers for the spa experience are all included.

Is there an age restriction or any health consideration I should know about?

The tour is for ages 16 and above only. It's not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health. Travelers with high-risk medical conditions should seek professional advice before booking.

How long is the entire tour, and what should I bring?

The full experience is seven hours. Bring swimwear and slides or thongs for the spa. Otherwise, going barefoot is fine. A towel, robe and locker are provided at Waiariki.