The Round Trip
Follow in the footsteps of New Zealand’s first tourists, and uncover the stories of the Pink and White Terraces and the Tarawera eruption. This full day tour includes return transport from Rotorua, guided walk at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, boat cruises of Lakes Rotomahana and Tarawera and the Buried Village.
Includes
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Duration - 7.5+ hours
Allow 7.5 hours for this full day tour including return transport from Rotorua.
- Price - NZD $245
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Departures - from 08.30am
Scheduled departures on Saturdays. Rotorua pick up 8.30am, returning 4pm.
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Overview
The Round Trip starts with transport from Rotorua CBD and a scenic drive out to Waimangu Volcanic Valley with Nature Connections. Please advise the preferred pick-up location when booking.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
A guided walk through the geothermal valley reveals the geothermal attractions uncovered by the 1886 eruption and stunning lakes in the craters created by the blast.
The walking trail passes by the site where the Waimangu Geyser played between 1900 and 1904. The Waimangu Geyser was thought to be the world’s largest known geyser, regularly erupting and throwing mud, ash, and rock to heights of up to 400 metres. The black appearance of this geyser is what gave the valley its name, ‘Wai’ meaning water, and ‘Mangu’ meaning black. Layers of dirt from these eruptions can be seen in the cliff walls at Waimangu Volcanic Valley now.
At the end of the walk, the tour boards the Ariki Moana boat for a cruise across Lake Rotomahana and over the final resting place of the Pink and White Terraces. Cruise past the stunning steaming cliffs, and active geothermal areas around the lakes edge, including small geysers and fumaroles.
Isthmus Track Walk
The Isthmus Track links Lake Rotomahana to Lake Tarawera. The 1.5km walk takes 20-30 minutes, rising 400m over a saddle, through regenerating native bush, and down to the jetty at Lake Tarawera.
Totally Tarawera
From here you will board a boat with Totally Tarawera for an eco-tour on Lake Tarawera. Your guide will enthrall, educate, and amuse you with tales of Tarawera’s history and legends, and you’ll enjoy a unique combination of Māori culture, and geothermal and ecological elements throughout. The tour includes a stop at Hot Water Beach and the lakeside natural hot pools before heading to the Tarawera Landing.
Buried Village
A short vehicle transfer brings you to the Buried Village, where you will gain a thorough understanding of Te Wairoa, the first ever tourism hub in New Zealand, and the devastating effects of the eruption. The museum area holds original artifacts from the village, postcards from visitors to the Pink and White Terraces, and personal accounts of the eruption.
Continue to explore the archeological sites that reveal the devastation of the eruption to this once bustling European and Maori village settlement.
The trip concludes with transport back to Rotorua, passing by the lakes of Rotokakahi and Lake Tikitapu on the way.
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The Round Trip Includes:
- Return transport from Rotorua CBD
- Guided walk at Waimangu Volcanic Valley
- Packed picnic lunch
- Lake Rotomahana boat cruise
- Isthmus Track walk
- Lake Tarawera experience including Hot Water Beach
- Buried Village experience
Continue the story
Those interested to continue the story may wish to visit the Whakarewarewa Village, a living Maori village, where people still live surrounded by geothermal vents, using this natural resource for cooking, bathing and heating. Many of the survivors of the eruption moved to the Whakarewarewa Valley following the eruption, and some of the guides trace their family tree back to the original guides of the Pink and White Terraces.
Please note
This trip requires a minimum of 6 guests to operate. You can book for less than 6 people, but the departure is not guaranteed until minimum numbers are met. We will let you know by 1 pm on Friday if the tour will not go ahead. If the tour does not go ahead, your booking can be rescheduled or refunded, or you can change to the Full Waimangu Experience.
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Price
- Adults (17 years+) $245pp
- Children (6-16 years) $165pp
- Family (2 adults & up to 3 children) $750
Other Experiences
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Full Waimangu Experience
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Lake Rotomahana Boat Cruise
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Self Guided Walk or Hike Only
