Top Rotorua Bus Tours

Get an authentic introduction to Maori culture with an evening at the Mitai Maori Village of Rotorua. See warriors in traditional dress paddle in an ancient canoe, and be captivated by the displays of weaponry. You'll watch 'haka' and poi dances and view glowworms in their natural habitat. This 3-hour experience includes round-trip hotel transport and a traditional 'hangi' feast with your admission ticket.

Setting out from Rotorua, your Hobbiton Movie Set Tour starts with a scenic drive across to Matamata where your local driver guide will provide informative commentary and share stories about the region and its history. Take a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set and learn how this picturesque farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle earth. Your guide will show you Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Party Tree, the Mill, and many other structures from the movies. Then enjoy a tasty lunch at The Green DragonInn before making your way back to Rotorua.

Even on the cloudiest night, the New Zealand glowworm lights up the darkness in a lucky few spots across the country. This short evening bush-walk departing from Rotorua involves a short drive, a walk through picturesque native bush and the chance to see these increasingly rare creatures. Tack this tour onto the end of a thrilling day in Rotorua instead of hiring a car for an almost two-hour drive west to visit the exceedingly popular Waitomo Caves. This is one of the easiest ways to experience Aotearoa’s unique glowworm habitats.

While in Rotorua, see a cultural performance and take part in a 3-course seasonal fusion feast at Te Pā Tū, featuring lesser-known delicacies. A local guide escorts you by coach to the “marae” (Māori village) for an immersive evening that begins with a welcome ceremony by New Zealand's Indigenous people. Learn about local customs based on the Māori lunar calendar and watch a powerful display of song and dance.

Combine the top sights of Rotorua and Te Puia in a single comprehensive day tour from Auckland. Traveling with a guide and following a carefully curated itinerary means you won't miss any of the important sights. Visit the Maori cultural landmarks and geothermal spots of Te Puia, as well as the city sights in Rotorua, accompanied by insightful guided commentary. Round-trip transportation from Auckland means you can focus on the scenery and the experience instead of driving and directions.

Treat yourself to a therapeutic mud bath and sulfur spa package at Hells Gate Geothermal Park. Located in one of Rotorua’s most active geothermal zones, Hells Gate features mud bath treatments that leave your body rejuvenated and skin smooth. You also have the option to cool off with a dip in waterfall pools after your treatment.

Explore the New Zealand countryside on horseback on this 1-hour horse trekking tour from Rotorua. Climb onto your horse and head into the foothills of Mt Ngongotaha with a guide. Follow winding trails over working farmland and through native bush, and admire beautiful views over Lake Rotorua. Stop along the way to capture the views on camera, then descend back through the green paddocks to base. This horse trek is suitable for beginners and experienced riders alike, with horses and ponies to match all riding abilities.

Set off from Rotorua and travel north through lush farmland to the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set. Take a guided tour and discover how this working farm was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. Sit down to a tasty lunch at the Green Dragon Inn, then make your way back to Rotorua and visit TePuia, one of New Zealand’s top cultural venues. Receive a traditional welcome and discover TePuia's history and lineage with a personalized guided tour. Afterwards, explore Te Puia's geothermal valley, seeing bubbling mud and steaming geysers.

Embark on a one-way tour from Rotorua to Auckland, the first stop is the Hobbiton Movie Set, the world-famous film location. See Hobbit Holes, stroll through the lush gardens and learn how this private farm became Middle-earth on a private tour. The next stop is Waitomo Glowworm Caves, one of the North Island’s most popular attractions. Be amazed by the illumination of thousands of tiny glowworms on a boat tour through Glowworm Grotto, a subterranean marvel. Travel through the Mamaku Ranges and the rural farmlands of Waikato en route to Auckland, admiring highlights such as Fitzgerald Glade.

Rotorua is known for its hot springs and geothermal activity, but without local knowledge, it can be tricky to know the best off the beaten path mud pools and thermal springs to visit. This small-group guided tour is the perfect solution. Travel in an air-conditioned minivan, and visit a selection of outdoor thermal sites—such as Te Manaroa Spring, Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, and Waiotapu Mud Pool.

Discover New Zealand’s geothermal hotspots on a day trip from Rotorua to Lake Taupo, stopping to explore one of two remarkable destinations. Select Orakei Korako to see terraced pools of steaming water, or opt for Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland’s otherworldly colors. Limited to 11 people for more personal service, this day trip includes pickup and drop-off at centrally-located hotels, as well as entrance fees at the geothermal site.

Visit the Buried Village of Te Wairoa — New Zealand's most visited archaeological site. See historical exhibits on the 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption at the Museum of Te Wairoa, then discover the fate of the Pink and White Terraces on a walk along the Waterfall Trail. Your entrance ticket includes a guided tour that explains geothermal features and shares insight about how Maoris and early settlers lived in the village before it was devastated.

Experience some of the North Island’s greatest natural and cultural attractions on an easy full-day tour from Rotorua. Nature lovers will enjoy visiting the Waitomo Caves, where you’ll take a boat ride on an underground river, gaze at thousands of twinkling glow worms, and more. Movie buffs and fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit won’t want to miss the guided tour of Hobbiton.

Rotorua’s volcanic history has created a landscape of lakes. See some of the most spectacular ones on this half day tour, traveling in a small group with a knowledgeable guide. Exercise your legs with a bushwalk, watch springs bubble, and learn about the natural processes which have shaped this land of fire and water.

Discover many of New Zealand’s top attractions in one day on this 6-hour private shore excursion to Rotorua from Tauranga Port. Sample kiwifruit and local wines at the Kiwi 360 Center, and admire the sandy beaches of Mt Maunganui with your guide. Travel past dense forests, shimmering lakes and rolling farmland to Okere Falls. Immerse yourself in Maori culture in Rotorua, and marvel at mighty geothermal activity at Whakarewarewa or Te Puia. See famous sites such as the Government Gardens, Blue Baths and Rotorua Museum before returning to your ship.

Make the most of a travel day with a transfer service between Rotorua and Auckland that includes a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. Instead of heading straight to Auckland and missing the sights along the way, you’ll stop to learn more about movie-making history at the set, where parts of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed.

Take a tour in your own private minivan with an experienced local guide. This Private tour is for a group of up to 8 people. Your day will include amazing scenery from stunning white sandy beaches, to boiling mud pools and beautiful forests. The main attraction is a visit to Waiotapu There is so much to see and experience in this stunning part of New Zealand. Choose an attraction to visit or enjoy all the "Freebies" this area offers. I can customise your day. Do as much or as little as you choose. Its "Your Day Your Way". Have a great day out with your own Private guide. "FREEBIES": - Sandy Beaches and beautiful countryside - Kiwi fruit tasting and orchard visit (time permitting) - Lake Rotorua and the Redwood Forest (time permitting) - Rotorua City Government Gardens (time permitting) EXTRAS - Waiotapu Geothermal Reserve - Entry Fee additional - Lunch

Make the most of a travel day by visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves en route from Rotorua to Auckland. If you’re on a tight schedule, starting the day in Rotorua and ending in Auckland while sightseeing on the way will save time. Tolkein fans will love the movie set, while nature enthusiasts will be impressed by the glowworm caves at Waitomo.