Experience a flexible shore excursion tour of the Rotorua region with a friendly personal guide from ToursByLocals. Your private guide knows this area as only locals do, and is eager to give you an unforgettable tour that reflects your travel interests.

Tauranga is your entry point to New Zealand's geothermal district at Rotorua, where you can see incredible natural phenomena, including the Pohutu Geyser, which blasts 30 meters skyward 20 times a day.

See the major attractions that interest you, and make the most of your time ashore. Benefit from your private guide's familiarity with local best-kept secrets and off-beat spots, including spectacular viewpoints around the Bay of Plenty, a remarkable gold mine and fine wineries.

Book a Tauranga/Rotorua shore excursion tour offered by ToursByLocals. Ask your personal guide about customizing your private tour to include exactly what you want to see and do. Go global — tour by local!

Rotorua

Lord of the Rings movie set - Private tour

We set off over the Kaimais where on a clear day you can enjoy spectacular views of both the Waikato and Bay of Plenty districts, ending up in Matamata where we enjoy a tour of the Hobbiton Movie set and Farm from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. From December 2023 onwards you can not only experience a Hobbit village, you can also enter a Hobbit house.

Then, depending on time left we can drop in for a drive around McLarens Falls park &/or travel several different routes back to your cruise ship.

NB Please note that you will need to book Hobbiton tickets online yourself.  You need to allow AT LEAST 2 HOURS from your docking time to comfortably get across to Hobbiton in time and 90 minutes to get back to the port. If you are unsure about any of this please contact me prior to making your booking

Hobbiton , see it with a private guide

Tauranga - Hobbiton : A visit to Middle Earth. Lord of the Rings &amp; Hobbiton Movie Set. Shore Excursion.

Join the thousands of Hobbit fans who come to experience this remarkable movie set where their favorite stories and characters were brought to life.
Escape into the enchanting world of JRR Tolkien's famous tales as you walk the wandering paths where these amazing stories were filmed by New Zealand's own Peter Jackson.
Recognize the landmarks you know, stand under the party tree, see all your favorites, hear behind-the-scenes stories.
Journey past the colorful Hobbit hole doors, Bilbo's house, browse through the new Hobbit homes on Bagshot Row, see The Water Mill, Double - Arched Stone Bridge, 44 Hobbit Holes, gardens &amp; Green Dragon Inn.
Listen to your guide's wonderful stories of Gandalf, Frodo, Bilbo and the villagers.
The set is very realistic, you can imagine the Hobbits living there, going about their day to day chores, tending their gardens and catching up with their neighbor's at the Green Dragon Inn for a quiet ale.
Even if you haven't read the books or seen the movies you will still love it

Your middle earth adventure starts when we meet at the Tauranga Port.

Tauranga-Hobbiton : Visit Middle Earth. Lord of the Rings-Hobbiton Movie Set. Private Shore Excursion.

Tauranga - Rotorua : Redwoods Canopy Tree Walk &amp; Te Puia Geysers - Private Shore Excursion

The Redwoods Forest:
Its century-old trees offers tranquility and awe as you traverse the worlds longest canopy walk. The gentle redwood giants, towering up to 75 feet are complemented by the forest floor's native flora and sweeping silver ferns. Even if you are not a nature enthusiast you will enjoy the stunning beauty from a birds-eye view as you navigate the 700-meter trail like a tree dweller, pause on one of the 55 eco-suspended bridges &amp; platforms to take a peek at the wonderful forest surrounding you.
"Te Puia" Geysers:
Heartland of New Zealand's geothermal activity and  Māori history and culture. Experience a fierce Māori war dance. See the historic sights of pre - European village, shy nocturnal Kiwi bird, wood and greenstone carvers at work. Surrounded by a steaming volcanic landscape, you'll see boiling mud, hot water pools, steam vents. Feel the powerful force of Pōhutu geyser erupting, an awe-inspiring sight as it sends boiling water and steam up to 100 feet.


World's longest canopy tree walk and a tour of "Te Puia" a steaming geothermal landscape!

Tauranga-Rotorua : Redwoods Canopy Tree Walk-Te Puia Geysers: Private Shore Excursion.

Exclusive Tauranga Tour and Golf in Majestic Setting

Your Private Tour will start with me meeting you by the Cruise Ship Terminal.
This day is all about you and what you would like to get out of the adventure. The day will be in either an E-Class Mercedes Benz or Mercedes Valente.

We shall journey along the wonderful Mount Maunganui beach - our Eastern Coastline toward Papamoa for a short stroll to unobstructed view and fresh sea air.
Further proceeding to the Papamoa Hills for 9 Holes set to challenge your handicap and your perception of our amazing countryside with coastal perspective.
Complimentary rental clubs and an electric cart can be provided for a carefree experience.
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To finish your adventure off we can visit McLaren Falls Park; home to native New Zealand fauna, a lovely waterfall and a variety of wildlife including some native birds and trout. With a lake setting this 190-hectare park truly is a magical place to visit and appreciate the New Zealand landscape.

Refreshments shall be provided during your journey.

These costs are associated to Green Fees and Club Facilities.

McLaren Park Waterfall at end of Glow Worm Track

View of Fern bush taken at the Matamata Piako Plains viewing point

Fancy a game of golf? See some of the best Tauranga views while playing 9 holes.

Sightseeing with as many or few stops as you like with Taupo as the destination for lunch. As well as the features of my Rotorua tour - you can choose from gondolas, Maori culture experience (a 40 minute presentation within Te Puia), hot pools etc that you may like to experience as well in the course of the day, there are a number of interesting places to visit on the way to Taupo. Just let me know in advance if you'd like any of these experiences so that I can make tentative bookings for you.
For you photographers there are breathtaking views of the peaks of National Park as we approach Lake Taupo. The township of Taupo boasts great cafes and restaurants, souvenir shopping, a winery and several interesting souvenir/specialty foods and some thrill-seeking adventures such as bungy jumping.
We can take the same route back through Rotorua or head over the Kaimai ranges to return via the Waikato district. The choices are all yours and I can customise the day to suit your timeframe and interests

Spend the day in Rotorua and Taupo with a private guide

Rotorua & Taupo Tour

Best of Tauranga and Rotorua's Hidden Secrets: Lunch at Skyline Gondola's. Private Shore Excursion.

One of our best day excursions including Tauranga and Rotorua-heartland of New Zealand's geothermal activity and Māori culture.
See Mount Maunganui's surf beach (voted best in NZ) and  popular holiday destination. We visit beautiful Mototuriki Island for panoramic ocean and island views.
On this tour, you will see kiwifruit orchards, lakes district, lush farmland, native bush, and pine forest plantations as we pass through different regions.
See and experience Rotorua's most famed hot spots, highlights as well as its hidden secrets as your tour guide takes you from place to place.
A visit to Kuirau geothermal park, boiling mud, hot water pools, steam vents and visit a Māori Marae,
For lunch we jump on board the Skyline gondola to the fabulous Market Kitchen Café
A short walk through the enchanting giant Redwoods forest.
We explore Rotorua lake front and the wonderful Govt Gardens, Racheal's boiling hot water pool and an architectural gem, the Old Spa Bath House.
Plenty to see and do on this tour.

See surf beach, island walk, water falls, geothermal activity, boiling mud &amp; hot water pools. Visit a Māori ancestral house.

This private tour is purely scenic. I can drive you through 2 beautiful gorges, Athenree and Karangahake, then through to Thames, over to Tairua (further north if times permits) then back down the coast to Waihi via Whangamata. I can promise you some of the most spectacular scenery (apart from the South Island's snow-covered peaks) you can experience in New Zealand within the short space of a day. There are many great cafes, wineries and other points of historical interest along the way for as many stops as you like!

Dropping south along the coast into Tairua

The Scenic Option from Tauranga to Coromandel Peninsula

Hauraki/Coromandel scenic private tour

Tauranga - Rotorua : Whakarewarewa Geothermal Living Māori Village. Shore Excursion.

Your adventure begins as soon as I pick you up from the Tauranga port entry/exit gates.
I will show you our best hot spots, highlights, hidden secrets, starting with a tour of Mount Maunganui surf beach, voted best in New Zealand, passing through picturesque countryside, dairy farms, Kiwi fruit orchards, pine plantations, waterfalls, the lakes district as we make our way to Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village
Experience living in a Māori village. The villagers have built their homes amongst erupting geysers, boiling mud, steam vents, and hot pools. Using natural geothermal resources they cook, bathe and heat their homes.
As you walk amongst the wonders of the Whakarewarewa Valley, our Māori guide explains the history of the village, where the Tuhourangi / Ngati Wahiao tribe has lived for over 200 years.
See Pohutu the biggest active geyser in the southern hemisphere erupting boiling steam and water up to 100 feet.
Plenty to see and do on this tour!

See the geothermal wonders of Whakarewarewa village where the Māori tribe live amongst the steaming volcanic activity.

The Goldrush Experience - Past & Present - Private tour

Feel like a bit of gentle exercise then visit the town of Waihi with its mining history dating back to 1878. Wander up the main street, see the remains of the old workings at a couple of locations both in and out of town, take a mine tour of the current mining operation and enjoy discovering everything in between at our own Gold Discovery Centre. Add that to a leisurely walk through the beautiful Karangahake gorge and be spoilt for choice for fabulous local hospitality lunch options from cafes to a winery. Depending on your tour times/day, you may also be able to take a ride on the steam train, or visit the Museum. All experiences are optional.

Visit the town of Waihi and wander the streets with a local guide

Tauranga - Rotorua - Wai oTapu/Thermal Wonderland and "Te Puia" Geysers. Private Shore Excursion

Be part of my favorite tour. At Wai-O-Tapu, feel-smell this surreal steaming geothermal wonderland. See the famous Champagne Pool, Devil's Cave, Artist's Palette, Sulphur Cave and home to New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool.

Camera ready, record wonderful memories of these naturally colored hot pools - ranging in color from turquoise blue, rich green, gold to an almost olive / yellow make the water at Wai-O-Tapu a dazzling must see.

"Te Puia" tour, Rotorua City, heartland of New Zealand's geothermal activity and a center for Māori history and culture. See the sights of pre-European village, shy nocturnal Kiwi bird, wood and greenstone carvers at work.

Surrounded by a steaming volcanic landscape, you'll see and feel the heat of boiling mud, hot water pools, and steam vents. Feel the power of Pōhutu geyser erupting and the awe-inspiring sight of the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere shooting boiling water and steam 100 ft high in a display of force.

All the colors of a rainbow on this Rotorua twin geothermal adventure.

For those of you interested in a garden tour of the local area, then this is the tour for you!

We pop into the Te Puna Quarry. Featured throughout the Park, are sculptures by local artists. The Quarry is now becoming popular as an exhibition area for outdoor art. The walking tracks are easy for the moderately fit.

We then carry on a tour of the beautiful Katikati bird gardens encompassing several acres of delightful, mature landscaped gardens set on the edge of Tauranga's inner harbor with a blend of the formal and the informal, lily ponds, fountains, and garden art. Plenty of opportunities for great cafe stops during the day

Gardens between Tauranga & Waihi with a private guide

The Garden Private Tour

Tauranga - Rotorua : Soothing Hot Mineral Spa Pools & "Te Puia Geysers" Shore Excursion.

Spoil yourself, let me guide you to the soothing serenity of one of the top 10 mineral spa pools in the world.
For the ultimate form of rest and relaxation, your geothermal bathing experience will melt away stress with temperatures up to 42°C.
As you lazily soak, the acidic and alkaline nature of the natural mineral springs will heal and nourish your skin.
You will love your wonderful quiet leisure time &amp; the natural healing to your mind &amp; body

It is all action at your next destination "Te Puia" heartland of New Zealand's geothermal activity and a center for Māori
culture.
See the shy nocturnal Kiwi bird, wood &amp; greenstone carvers at work.
Surrounded by a steaming volcanic landscape, you'll see and feel the heat of boiling mud, hot water pools, and steam vents.
Feel the power of spectacular Pōhutu geyser erupting, the awe-inspiring sight of the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere shooting boiling water &amp; steam up to 100 feet in an amazing display of force.

Polynesian Mineral Spa: Polynesian Mineral Spa Pools. Voted in the top 10 Spa pools in the world

Te Puia: We are greeted with a marvelous Maori welcome followed by the Maori cultural show

Te Puia: See and experience 'Pohutu' geyser the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere

Te Puia: See the elusive nocturnal kiwi bird.

Polynesian Mineral Spa: Unwind in one of the seven hot mineral pools from 38c-42c

Polynesian Mineral Spa: Relieve tired muscles, aches, and pains as you soak in these wonderful mineral pools

Your luxury 4-5 seat + tour driver tour vehicle. Our vehicles are safe, clean, comfortable and have passed stringent Certificate of Fitness inspection

Your tour vehicle, spacious with plenty of leg room

Tauranga tours

Explore with 12 tours and 3 guides.

Julie C.

$ 600 (USD)

Patrick L.

$ 619 (USD)

Patrick L.

$ 740 (USD)

Stephen A.

$ 512 (USD)

Julie C.

$ 600 (USD)

Patrick L.

$ 679 (USD)

Julie C.

$ 600 (USD)

Patrick L.

$ 634 (USD)

Julie C.

$ 550 (USD)

Patrick L.

$ 764 (USD)

Julie C.

$ 500 (USD)

Patrick L.

$ 740 (USD)

Meet your local guides in Tauranga

Customize your tour