Thermal Getaway Experience

Day 1: Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

If you love the idea of taking a break from urban life and breezing down the highway surrounded by lush greenery, then a drive from Auckland to Waitomo Caves won’t disappoint you.  The longest river in New Zealand, the Waikato, will keep you company along the road.
Glowworm caves in New Zealand offer visitors the chance to explore dark caves that are lit up by thousands of tiny glowworms, who shine bright as a way to attract their prey. Be amazed by thousands of magical glowworms above as you glide silently by boat in the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. The enchanting Waitomo Caves have been attracting visitors for more than 120 years, thanks to their incredible limestone formations and luminescent glowworms. Your guided Waitomo Caves tour will be an unforgettable sightseeing experience as you walk through majestic caverns, explore limestone shafts, marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites, and enjoy a boat ride through a grotto lit by thousands of tiny native glowworms.
Experience the real Middle-Earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Walk into the real-world landscape of Middle Earth on a walking tour of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set, where you get a behind-the-scenes look at ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit.’ Pause at the Green Dragon™ Inn for a draft of Hobbit™ Southfarthing™, see the remarkable detailing that brought Hobbiton™ to life on screen, and visit the places where key scenes were created. Take a look at Bag End, where Frodo and Bilbo’s adventures began. Get lost among the hobbit holes and visit the Green Dragon Inn, the mill, and the Party Tree. Listen to spell-binding tales of how Hobbiton came to be. Your guide will escort you around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations, and explaining how the movie magic was made.
​On completion of this experience, continue over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach the geothermal city of Rotorua.

Day 2: Rotorua City Highlights, Whakarewarewa, The Living Māori Village & Hell’s Gate Excite Experience

​This day we start our morning exploring the geothermal city highlights by visiting the stunning locations in the heart of Rotorua. Explore historic gardens that surround a Tudor-style spa bathhouse and an ornate Mediterranean-style public swimming pool. Peer through the steam into ancient bubbling geothermal pools. Situated five minutes from central Rotorua you will find an iconic destination Whakarewarewa, The Living Māori Village. Explore an authentic living Māori village where people live on a daily basis, using natural geothermal resources to cook, bathe and heat their homes as they have for centuries. Discover the vibrancy of Māori culture and the fascinating traditions of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, who shaped tourism in New Zealand. View the geothermal wonders of Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley up close, including the world-famous Pōhutu geyser, boiling mud pools, steam vents, and bubbling pools. Enjoy a traditional cooking demonstration – watch our residents prepare Hāngi meals in our in-ground steam boxes, and cook corn in the bubbling water of our geothermal hot pools – as they have for generations. Learn what it’s like to live in the challenging environment of the Whakarewarewa Valley, where daily life includes cooking in the bubbling pools and steam vents and bathing in the refreshing therapeutic waters.
​Within a short drive, we move to our second destination. Have a devilishly good time at Hell’s Gate, The Excite Experience. Come along and you’ll soon discover why Hell’s Gate is New Zealand’s most unique and active geothermal reserve and mud spa.

• ​Where the Earth Excites and Inspires

• Naturally heated waters with invigorating properties

• Mineral-rich mud bath to soften your skin for weeks

Enjoy this thermal wonderland with our interactive guided or self-guided tour before relaxing in the geothermal mud and sulphur waters. Get down and dirty in a mud bath or unwind in a Sulphur spa overlooking a spectacular geothermal landscape, before cooling off in a beautiful spring-fed waterfall and plunge pool. Featuring hot-water lakes, New Zealand’s largest mud volcano, and the largest hot water waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere, the Hell’s Gate Valley is the place to be for an indulgent experience that is almost sinful. With the only geothermal mud baths in New Zealand, the Hell’s Gate Spa is a highly therapeutic experience. You can slather yourself in the warm geothermal mud before jumping in the sulphur pool – with minerals that help to clear and detoxify. You have an option to choose any add-on activity to extend and enhance your experience or you can choose to relax and explore as you wish. We stay overnight at Rotorua.

Day 3: Choose Your Experience at Rotorua (Available at an Additional Cost)

Wander through the vibrant land. A full day to enjoy the many sights and activities of Rotorua.

​Rotorua sits within one of the world’s most active volcanic regions. Geothermal landmarks aside, this city of sulphur has a rich indigenous history. Home to several prominent Māori tribes, unique family fun-filled activities like Rotorua Duck Tours and Farm Tours. Spike your adrenaline at Velocity Valley Adventure Park, Zipline Canopy Tours, or at the Adventure playground. Alternatively, head up the Rotorua Skyline Gondola for soaring lake views, and ride the luge for an extra thrill. We can book from a range of additional tour options (additional charges apply), or we can show you around this stunning area as part of our tour.

Day 4: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland & Lake Taupō

​This day we start our morning, driving down to the south of Rotorua, which will bring you to the colorful natural volcanic park, which is one of New Zealand’s most diverse geothermal attractions. Explore spectacular nature at New Zealand’s most colorful natural volcanic park. Walks through this unique geothermal area take between 30 and 75 minutes and provide a wide range of amazing photo opportunities at unique features including the world-famous Champagne Pool, naturally colored hot and cold springs, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters, and sinter terrace formations. The natural bush setting, the Lady Knox Geyser erupting daily at 10.15 am and the nearby ever active “Mud Pool” add other dimensions to the experience, the distinct sulphur smell, similar to that of rotting eggs will accompany you throughout your visit to this fascinating natural wonder.

Marvel at the breath-taking geothermal scenery, stunning waterfalls, and World Heritage-listed forest reserves, as you drive from the south of Rotorua and located in the center of New Zealand’s north island, lies the largest freshwater lake in Australasia. You will be amazed by the majestic Huka falls – an incredible waterfall that thunders 11 meters into the Waikato River below and boast the title of being New Zealand’s most visited natural attraction. Explore the scenic beauty of Lake Taupō waterfront by stretching your legs along with one of many lakesides walking trails.  Take a step away and enjoy the complete peace and quiet of water’s edge picnic spots and elevated viewing areas. Excite the senses, be tempted by an amazing array of 100% pure New Zealand honey, mead, natural health and wellbeing products, and unique gift ideas. A unique taste experience with free honey, mead & liqueur tastings. Live beehive viewings and fascinating interactive displays. Discover health & wellness products, divine honey-based skincare products. Complete your experience by relaxing in the lounge or gardens with a coffee or delicious honey ice cream.
From the vibrant history we drive to trendy fashion and cuisine, the breath-taking native bush and beaches of Auckland are full of life and the opportunities to explore are endless.

🏚️ Accommodation: is not included in this package so it can be customized to suit your personal requirements. ExperienceKart can arrange accommodation for you at a standard or superior hotel (at an additional cost) or you can choose to book your own.

• Superior Accommodation – 3 Nights (Twin Share)

3 nights stay in Rotorua at a 4* accommodation

• ​Standard Accommodation – 3 Nights (Twin Share)

3 nights stay in Rotorua at a 3* accommodation

Extend Your Trip – Pre & Post Tour Accommodation and Transfers

Extend your holiday beyond your tour by spending a few days ashore at the destination of your choice. To make the most of your time away and to be able to fully explore the joining and ending cities, it’s often a great idea to book some additional nights’ accommodation before and/or after your tour. If you require accommodation before and after the tour, please contact ExperienceKart.

• ​Pre-Tour Accommodation Auckland – (Twin Share)

We highly recommend you to book pre-tour accommodation as the tour experience starts early and could finish late.

• ​Post Tour Accommodation Auckland – (Twin Share)

We highly recommend you to book post-tour accommodation as the tour experience starts early and could finish late.