Rotorua tour from Auckland: Te Puia, haka & hangi lunch

Witness the Pōhutu Geyser erupt and taste hangi cooked by geothermal steam

A guided tour from Auckland to Rotorua's geothermal sites, visiting Te Puia for a 90-minute experience that includes the Pōhutu Geyser, mud pools, a haka performance in a carved meeting house, and a traditional hangi buffet lunch. You'll then walk among towering Californian redwoods in Redwoods Forest before returning to Auckland. Small-group format keeps the experience personal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rotorua geothermal and cultural tour

• Hotel pickup in Auckland
• Drive to Rotorua (3.5 hours)
• Explore Te Puia geothermal park
• Watch Māori cultural performance
• Enjoy traditional hāngī buffet lunch
• Walk in Redwoods Forest
• Scenic drive through Rotorua
• Return drive to Auckland

The experience

The drive from Auckland takes about three and a half hours, and your guide leads you through Te Puia's geothermal landscape: steam rising from the earth, sulfur in the air, and the raw power of the Pōhutu Geyser shooting water high into the sky. The 90-minute guided experience includes a Pōhiri (traditional Māori welcome), waiata (song), mōteatea (traditional chant), poi, and a haka performance inside Te Aronui a Rua, a beautifully carved meeting house. You'll learn about the significance of each bubbling mud pool and the Māori culture that has thrived in this geothermal wonderland.

Lunch happens at Pātaka Kai Restaurant, where the hangi, a traditional earth oven, is cooked using geothermal steam. The buffet features authentic Māori cuisine and opens onto views of the geysers and valley. After eating, you move to Redwoods Forest (Whakarewarewa Forest), where a walk beneath Californian redwoods and native New Zealand bush offers a quieter counterpoint to the morning's geothermal intensity. The return journey to Auckland takes the afternoon, with hotel drop-off included.

Small-group setting means the experience stays personal rather than crowded, and hotel pickup from selected Auckland locations is built in. The tour runs about eleven to twelve hours total, so plan for a full day away from the city.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• air-conditioned vehicle with guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from selected Auckland locations.
• admission to Te Puia's fully guided experience including the cultural show with haka performance.
• traditional hangi buffet lunch at Pātaka Kai Restaurant.
• walk in Redwoods Forest.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Expedigo Tours and Travels Auckland

Is this one for you?The small-group format keeps the experience personal rather than crowded, which suits travelers who want to engage with the guide and other visitors without feeling rushed through the geothermal sites. If you have concerns about sulfur exposure or cardiovascular strain, consult your medical practitioner beforehand, as the tour involves walking through active geothermal areas and a full day of travel.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years); Infant (under 5).

What exactly is the Pōhutu Geyser and how often does it erupt?

The Pōhutu Geyser is Te Puia's most iconic geothermal feature, shooting water high into the sky as part of the site's active geothermal system. It erupts regularly throughout the day, and your guide will explain the geology and Māori significance of the activity as you watch.

Is the hangi lunch included in the tour price, and what kind of food is served?

Yes, a traditional hangi buffet lunch at Pātaka Kai Restaurant is included. The meal features authentic Māori cuisine cooked using geothermal steam, served with views of the geysers and valley.

Does the tour include a cultural performance, and what does it involve?

Yes, a cultural performance is included at Te Puia inside the carved meeting house Te Aronui a Rua. The performance features a Pōhiri (traditional Māori welcome), waiata (song), mōteatea (traditional chant), poi, and a haka.

What's the travel time from Auckland to Rotorua, and is hotel pickup included?

The drive from Auckland to Rotorua is approximately three and a half hours each way. Hotel pickup and drop-off from selected Auckland CBD locations are included in the tour price, and you'll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide.