Maori Culture & Nature Shore Tour with Kiwi Dundee Adventures
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; minimal walking required with gentle trails and frequent rest stops.
Overview
Step off your cruise ship in Tauranga for a full-day adventure with Kiwi Dundee Adventures. Experience Rotorua’s geothermal wonders, Māori cultural performances, and native rainforest walks on a shore excursion designed to connect you with New Zealand’s unique landscape and heritage.
Nature and Maori Culture Highlights Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Tour
Tauranga-Rotorua - Return • All Ages • Te Puia Thermal Field & Cultural Show
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About This Adventure
The best in one day
Duration
8 hours
About
This is our most popular cruise excursion tour and includes entry to Te Puia Thermal Field, a buffet Hangi lunch (specify any dietary requirements), and entry to the Te Puia Maori cultural show.
Join Kiwi Dundee for a unique experience, not to be missed! From the Port of Tauranga, drive through kiwifruit country before climbing 1000ft up onto the Volcanic Plateau of Rotorua. At Lake Rotoiti, you will stop at the Kaituna River for a short walk through New Zealand rainforest to see spectacular waterfalls, where rafters and kayakers drop over the largest commercial drop allowed in the world! Your guide will introduce you to the unique natural environment and some of the local history. We then come to the highlight of the day - a visit to Te Puia thermal valley with bubbling mud pools and geysers, a Kiwi house where you will see New Zealand’s iconic bird, and the Maori Arts and Crafts where young Maori are taught carving, flax weaving, and even tattooing! We will enjoy an authentic Maori Concert, followed by a traditional “hangi” buffet lunch, where the food is slow cooked the traditional way in the ground using the geothermal field.
We then take a beautiful drive climbing out of the Rotorua caldera through lovely rolling farmland mixed with forest and rugged gorges before dropping into the Bay of Plenty and Tauranga, before re-boarding your cruise ship late afternoon, in time for evening departure.After lunch take a scenic tour out past the Blue and Green Lakes, to Lake Tarawera. Sitting below Mt Tararewa, which last erupted in 1886, is the site of the now-buried pink and white terraces, which during Victorian times drew visitors from all over the world.
Book online and receive a 5% discount
Adventure Tips
Wear sturdy walking shoes
Paths in the rainforest and thermal park can be uneven and slippery; solid footwear ensures safe footing.
Bring sun protection
Parts of the tour are exposed, especially on open roads and thermal areas, so sunscreen and a hat are crucial.
Hydrate well throughout the day
The Bay of Plenty climate can be warm and humid; carry water to stay comfortable during walks and drive segments.
Notify dietary restrictions in advance
The traditional Hangi buffet accommodates common dietary needs when informed before the tour starts.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Kiwi bird – New Zealand’s emblematic and nocturnal flightless bird
- Kererū (native wood pigeon) – often heard calling in the forest surrounding Rotorua
History
The region’s volcanic past is marked by Mt Tarawera’s 1886 eruption, which buried the famous Pink and White Terraces, once hailed as ‘The Eighth Wonder of the World.’
Conservation
Kiwi Dundee Adventures follows sustainable tourism practices, minimizing environmental impact and supporting local Māori cultural preservation.
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Adventure Hotspots in Tauranga
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable walking shoes
Essential for uneven terrain on short walks in rainforest and thermal areas.
Sun hat and sunscreen
Protects skin from intense sun during exposed parts of the tour.
summer specific
Light rain jacket
Useful for unexpected showers common in spring.
spring specific
Reusable water bottle
Hydration is important throughout the day’s activities.