Tauranga Shore Excursion: Te Puia Maori Cultural Centre and Rotorua City Sightseeing
When your cruise ship docks in Tauranga, taking a shore excursion to Rotorua will give you great insights into New Zealand's rich Maori culture. You will get up close to amazing geothermal hot springs, steamiing fumaroles and bubbling mudpools. You will discover Rotorua's natural thermal phenomena of Geyers and boiling mud. Your Immerse yourself into Te Puia Maori Cultural Centre - the most pristine attraction of its kind in New Zealand - which gives you the WoW factor. You will enjoy a fascinating cultural display including the Haka (war dance). You will get to travel through the North Island’s spectacular countryside of rolling farmland and forestry, alongside Kiwifruit orchards and bathe your feet in pure warm mineral waters which come up from under the ground. There really is something for everybody in this excursion.
Much moire than I cna put into words - it is a "must do" excursion to appreciate it all.
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Tauranga, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty Region, North Island
After docking at Tauranga, be picked up by mini coach and enjoy the scenic drive to Rotorua. The route takes you over the TauRANGA harbor bridge and into downtown Tauranga area, past bucolic farmland and through the rock cuttings known as the Pyes Pa Canyons. Past kiwifruit and
avacado orchards, plant nurseries and pine forests.
Traverse the historic direct route to Rotorua. This is a very interesting drive.
Stop At: Te Puia, Hemo Road, Rotorua New Zealand
At Te Puia Maori Arts and Craft Centre, take a guided tour of the Whakarewarewa thermal valley, highlighting the amazing bubbling mud and steam vents of the Pohutu Geyser. The world-famous 100-foot (30-meter) Geyser erupts up to 20 times a day.
Visit the kiwi house to spot the elusive native kiwi bird and experience the storytelling magic of a traditional Maori cultural performance. The Maori performance art brings the legends to life through song, dance and warlike stick games.
Visit the NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, and talk with the students about what they are currently creating and what it feels like to be chosen to be learning at this wonderful establishment.
You will see and learn many aspects of Maori life - both past & current.
You will then have opportunity to have some lunch at the on-site cafe (additional cost) before perusing their lovely shop complex.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Kuirau Park, Ranolf Street and Lake Road, Rotorua New Zealand
Our next stop is at Kuirau Park - An active geothermal park situated in the middle of town, which boasts a colourful hot bubbling crater lake, mud pools, hot springs, and a free thermal foot bath, all set in a beautifully manicured setting dotted with flower beds and native flora.
The thermal footbath is warm clear mineral water - Alkaline chloride pools are typically clear water springs forced rapidly to the surface by geothermal pressure. So, when you see a very clear, often colourful, boiling spring, you are looking at water from deep within the Earth’s core that recently arrived at the surface after a journey up the layers of heated rock below.
This is a very special opportunity.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Government Gardens, Queens Dr 9 Queens Dr, Rotorua New Zealand
Government Gardens is one of Rotorua’s historic landmarks ,originally known as Paepaekumana. The local Māori iwi (tribe) gifted 50 acres of land to the Crown in the late 1800s “for the benefit of the people of the world”. The land contained a geothermal area with several therapeutic hot pools.
In 1898 as an area where the thermal waters could be used and promoted as a health spa similar to those in Europe, the Tudor-style Bath House was built onsite and opened in 1908, and is noted as the first major investment in the New Zealand tourism as an industry. It now houses the Rotorua Museum and art gallery, but It is currently closed for renovation and earthquake strengthening.
A short walk through the gardens will be most enjoyable.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Okere Falls, Okere Falls, Rotorua District, Bay of Plenty Region, North Island
Your return trip to Tauranga allows for a stop on the way at the lovely Kaituna Rapids & Trout Pool. Enjoy new Zealand's nature at its best - the Kaituna is steeped in local history and a pristine river providing both fun for the white water rafters and a favourite place to go for the keen trout fisherman. View some rapids and small waterfalls along the river.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Paengaroa, Paengaroa, Bay of Plenty Region, North Island
On your return to the port of Tauranga - we will stop in an area called Paengaroa, situated in the midst of the Te Puke region which is reknown as the Kiwifruit capital of New Zealand. We will take this opportunity to stop at a Kiwifruit orchard so you can see & learn all about this wonderful fruit. It's health benefits and what it provides for us in the region as an industry. We are 2nd largest producer of Kiwifruit in the world.
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: Mt Maunganui Main Beach, Marine Parade, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga New Zealand
Mount Maunganui’s Main Beach has been crowned the ‘Best Beach in New Zealand’ for quite a number of years, and ranks among the top 25 best beaches in the world. Just referred to by the loclas as "The Mount".
Perhaps most iconic is Mount Maunganui, Mauao, which rises 232 meters from the sea. The walking tracks to the top of this extinct volcano provide 360 degree views which span the entire length of the Bay of Plenty.
With over 22kms of white sandy beaches, & plenty of surf, great fishing and some of the most expensive real estate in the country - you will see why people of all ages enjoy the Main Beach year-round.
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities."
"Please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes"
"please bring sunprotection and a light jumper for cooler weather"
"Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level"
"This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund"
"This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers"
"Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability"
Start Time:
09:30 AM
Duration: 7 Hours
Start location: Traveler pickup is offered
Departure Point: Outside the Port of Tauranga main pedestrian gate.
Directions: After disembarking your ships gangway; please proceed along the pathway marked by safety barriers which run alongside your ship to the port of Tauranga exit gates. There will be port security staff and local ambassadors along this short walkway to direct you to the gates.
Our local representative will be standing outside the port gates on the grass section directly under the flag pole with a name board held high with your names on. Your driver / guides will be dressed in uniform of black trousers, white shirts and the females may be wearing some orange apparel.
The vehicles will be in the car park directly behind where you will be met, which is less than 100 meters.
Ports- Port of Tauranga Ltd, 2 Salisbury Avenue, Mount Maunganui 3116, New Zealand
Cancellations and refunds:
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
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