Day Tours: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

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Known as one of the foremost geothermal attractions in the world, our small group guided day trip to Wai-O-Tapu (‘sacred waters’) Thermal Wonderland is an amazing encounter with one of the world’s geothermal wonders. 

The tour begins with pick-up from the Port of Tauranga, where visiting cruise ships dock, or from your accommodation in Tauranga city or nearby towns. Our knowledgeable driver will then guide you to and from Wai-O-Tapu through the spectacular coastline, kiwifruit orchards, countryside and lakes of the Bay of Plenty region in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle. 

Spanning 18 square kilometres, the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park is full of awesome sights, including boiling multi-coloured mineral pools. One of the most famous is the magnificent Champagne Pool, which is coloured orange and blue and named for its constant bubbling. Near this pool lies the Primrose Terrace and Artist’s Palette, where colourful hues of mineral sediment collect.  

A network of walking tracks and boardwalks allows visitors to navigate through native New Zealand bush to a series of coloured thermal vents and pools, including the Devil’s Bath lake and sulphurous hot springs.  

Bordering the geothermal park is the Lady Knox Geyser which erupts to the height of 10 or 20 metres each day. The Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland tour also includes the opportunity to view the largest mud pool in New Zealand, which was formed from the erosion of a massive mud volcano.  

This tour gives overseas visitors and locals an amazing experience at one of the world’s geothermal wonders. Time allowing, we will also visit other Rotorua highlights such as Lake Rotorua Boardwalk, Rotorua Government Gardens, and Kuirau Park geothermal area. 

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Tours are $190 per person. 

Children aged under five years old are free. Prices vary by season. 

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Tour duration: 5-6 hours.