Discover a fascinating slice of New Zealand’s volcanic heartland on this unforgettable journey from Tauranga to the world-famous Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Departing from the Cruise Ship Port Gates at Tauranga Harbour, the tour begins with a scenic drive past Mount Maunganui and a stop at the beautiful Mount Maunganui Main Beach, renowned for its golden sands, rolling surf, and spectacular coastal views. Leaving the coast behind, we travel inland through rich farming country, crossing the Kaituna River as we journey south toward Rotorua. Along the way, enjoy views of the region’s stunning caldera lakes, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions that shaped this unique geothermal landscape.

Our destination is the extraordinary Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, one of New Zealand’s most colourful and dramatic geothermal attractions. Here, you will explore a fascinating landscape of steaming vents, bubbling earth, volcanic craters, and vibrant mineral terraces shaped by thousands of years of geothermal activity. The highlight of the visit is the famous Champagne Pool, a striking hot spring known for its vivid orange edges, rising steam, and shimmering mineral-rich waters. As you walk the well-formed trails through the park, you’ll encounter steaming fissures, sulphur formations, brightly coloured pools, and surreal volcanic scenery unlike anywhere else in the world. Nearby, we also visit the impressive mud pools, where boiling mud bubbles and splashes from deep beneath the earth’s surface — a powerful reminder of the volcanic forces still active below Rotorua today.

After exploring Wai-O-Tapu, we begin our return journey with a stop at the magnificent Redwoods Forest, famous for its towering Californian redwood trees and peaceful forest atmosphere. Guests may also enjoy optional activities including the Redwoods Treewalk or souvenir shopping at the visitor centre. Travelling back toward Tauranga, we pass through the fertile kiwifruit orchards of Paengaroa, home to one of New Zealand’s most famous horticultural industries, before returning to Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Harbour. The Wai-O-Tapu & Champagne Pool Geothermal Explorer combines coastal scenery, volcanic landscapes, native forest, and unforgettable geothermal wonders into one remarkable Bay of Plenty experience.