From Auckland: Rotorua Te Puia, Redwoods & Blue Springs Day Tour

Depart Auckland and
head to Rotorua via Tirau

After pickup from hotels in Auckland CBD (5:45–6:00 am) or near Auckland Airport (6:15–6:30 am), enjoy a 2-hour drive through the Waikato countryside. Take a 15-minute break with coffee in Tirau, a town known for its corrugated iron sculptures and dog- and sheep-shaped buildings, then continue for about an hour to Rotorua.

Meet geysers, kiwi birds and
Māori culture at Te Puia

At Te Puia, a 90-minute guided tour takes you through the geothermal valley with Pōhutu Geyser, bubbling mud pools and steaming vents. At the Kiwi Conservation Centre, see New Zealand's national bird, and at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, discover the traditional skills carried on by master carvers and weavers.

After the guided tour, enjoy a cultural performance in the ornately carved Te Aronui a Rua meeting house, featuring the pōwhiri (welcome ceremony), waiata (songs), mōteatea (chants), poi dances and the haka. Lunch can be purchased at your own expense at the Te Puia café or restaurant.

Stroll freely through the Redwoods forest

After Te Puia, enjoy a drive past Rotorua's highlights, then take a free 30-minute walk in Whakarewarewa Forest (the Redwoods). Wander trails lined with towering California redwoods and lush ferns and take great photos.

Stop at the Blue Springs and return to Auckland

On the way back, stop for about 30 minutes at the Blue Springs (Te Waihou Walkway) in Putāruru. Known for its crystal-clear turquoise water filtered through underground rock, the spring stays at around 11°C all year round. Take a short walk along the Waihou River to enjoy views of bush, farmland and wetlands before returning to your Auckland hotel at around 6 pm.

※ Kiwi sightings are not guaranteed and depend on conditions at the conservation centre.
※ The itinerary is for reference only and may change depending on local conditions.