Rotorua Geothermal Wonders and Waikato River Jet Boat Ride
Rotorua, New Zealand
Rating: 
Trip Type: Nature & Wildlife
Duration: 6 hours
Marvel at New Zealand’s volcanic geology as you see the steaming cliffs of Rainbow Mountain, the boiling mud pools near Wai-O-Tapu and the gushing geysers of Orakei Korako Geothermal Park. Wrap up on the Waikato River with a jet boat ride full of high-speed tricks and turns that will make you shriek with delight. Your 6-hour tour of Rotorua’s natural wonders includes short walks in incredible geothermal landscapes and a thrilling jet boat ride in one of the most scenic parts of the country.
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Marvel at New Zealand’s volcanic geology as you see the steaming cliffs of Rainbow Mountain, the boiling mud pools near Wai-O-Tapu and the gushing geysers of Orakei Korako Geothermal Park. Wrap up on the Waikato River with a jet boat ride full of high-speed tricks and turns that will make you shriek with delight. Your 6-hour tour of Rotorua’s natural wonders includes short walks in incredible geothermal landscapes and a thrilling jet boat ride in one of the most scenic parts of the country.
After morning pickup from your Rotorua hotel, travel about 25 minutes by comfortable coach to Rainbow Mountain, aka Maungakakaramea in Maori.
Take in the mountain’s multi-colored slopes as you follow your guide on the easy half-mile (1km) Crater Lakes walk. Enjoy excellent views of volcanic craters and steam-shrouded cliffs streaked with brown, orange and red. Learn from your guide about the complex mixture of plant species on the mountain, including some rare specimens only found in geothermal areas.
Afterward, just down the road near Wai-O-Tapu, check out a surreal spot with bubbling hot mud pools, located where the largest mud volcano in New Zealand once stood.
Next, head to the jet boat office where you meet your driver-guide and receive a safety briefing, lifejacket and other gear. When ready, hop on board the powerful jet boat for a zippy ride along the Waikato River to Orakei Korako, an impressive geothermal park brimming with active natural geysers.
En route, sail through the scenic Tutukau Gorge and keep a lookout for bird life, trout fishing grounds, pine forests and steaming geothermal sections along the river. When you arrive at Orakei Korako, enjoy time to walk on raised boardwalks that weave through the changeable terrain of boiling mud pools, hot springs and silica terraces in otherworldly colors. If you're hungry, you can purchase a snack or meal at the riverside cafe.
Once you have taken in the steamy beauty of Orakei Korako, reboard your jet boat for a thrilling and splashy ride. Your expert driver makes the boat spin in circles, slide on the water’s surface, kick up spray and squeeze through tight turns and narrow passageways. Hold tight and enjoy 30 minutes of adrenaline-laced fun as you return to the dock.
Back at the jet boat office, sip a provided hot beverage before boarding the bus to Rotorua, where your 6-hour tour ends with drop-off at your hotel.
Take in the mountain’s multi-colored slopes as you follow your guide on the easy half-mile (1km) Crater Lakes walk. Enjoy excellent views of volcanic craters and steam-shrouded cliffs streaked with brown, orange and red. Learn from your guide about the complex mixture of plant species on the mountain, including some rare specimens only found in geothermal areas.
Afterward, just down the road near Wai-O-Tapu, check out a surreal spot with bubbling hot mud pools, located where the largest mud volcano in New Zealand once stood.
Next, head to the jet boat office where you meet your driver-guide and receive a safety briefing, lifejacket and other gear. When ready, hop on board the powerful jet boat for a zippy ride along the Waikato River to Orakei Korako, an impressive geothermal park brimming with active natural geysers.
En route, sail through the scenic Tutukau Gorge and keep a lookout for bird life, trout fishing grounds, pine forests and steaming geothermal sections along the river. When you arrive at Orakei Korako, enjoy time to walk on raised boardwalks that weave through the changeable terrain of boiling mud pools, hot springs and silica terraces in otherworldly colors. If you're hungry, you can purchase a snack or meal at the riverside cafe.
Once you have taken in the steamy beauty of Orakei Korako, reboard your jet boat for a thrilling and splashy ride. Your expert driver makes the boat spin in circles, slide on the water’s surface, kick up spray and squeeze through tight turns and narrow passageways. Hold tight and enjoy 30 minutes of adrenaline-laced fun as you return to the dock.
Back at the jet boat office, sip a provided hot beverage before boarding the bus to Rotorua, where your 6-hour tour ends with drop-off at your hotel.
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