Experience the Heartland of Maori Culture

Duration

Approximately 12 hours

About

The heartland of Maori culture, Rotorua sits at the centre of one of the Pacific's most active thermal regions, and is surrounded by some magnificent examples of boiling mud pools, spouting geysers, steaming fumuroles, and giant water filled craters. There is much to entertain, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, golf, spa baths, lake & river activities and scenic flights to name a few.

A pleasant drive south over the Bombay hills and into the rich dairy farmland of the Waikato. Then turning east, a short stop with an elevated view over the Hauraki Plains, with the Kaimai / Coromandel Range in the distance, makes for a great photo stop.

It’s all flat driving across the plains through farmland as we follow the Kaimai Range to a disused dairy factory for a coffee/tea break. You may like to try the cheese platter.

Continuing through Matamata, we cross over the Kaimai Range to a height of 2300ft with some unique volcanic land formations. Lake Rotorua comes into view as we descend into the land of the Te Arawa People. First stop is the thermal reserve of Te Puia. Your guide will then lead you on a tour that takes in; The geothermal wonders of Pohutu & Prince of Wales Geysers, the iconic Kiwi bird, you'll go behind the scenes at the national carving school, talk to the master carvers. and visit the national weaving school to learn how the Maori people perfected the art of weaving with the native flax. A buffet lunch then follows with an extensive selection of meats, vegetables, sea food and salads. The desert is something else too!

Concluding lunch, Rotorua sights includes a short drive out past the Redwood forest to the blue & green lakes and lake Tarawera, viewing Mt Tarawera, site of a devastating eruption in 1886. Back into the city we visit the Government Gardens & Bath House and lake Rotorua, before heading back to Auckland.

Highlights & Inclusions

• Te Puia Thermal Reserve
• Buffet Lunch
• City Sights