The 10 Walking Tours in Rotorua We Keep Recommending

1.Rotorua’s Ultimate Zipline: 6 ziplines, 400 m Tandem, Cliff Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,557 reviews · from $166Our pick

Review of Rotorua’s Ultimate Zipline, with six ziplines, a 400 m tandem ride, cliff walk, forest views, prices, tips, and practical details.

“Four of us, retired people ages 68- 80, went on the Ultimate Zipline trip with Mitch and Harry in late October. I, at 75, was seriously terrified and went only to confront the fear and because every else was. My review is that I am so glad that I went. Mitch and Harry helped me (us) and encouraged us at every step with a confident, competent, and kind assistance. I have to admit to some necessary hand holding! Their people skills are amazing and the work they do on an experience like this is heavy-duty and physical, too. They did not rush us and their only goal seemed to be…”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Hell’s Gate Outdoor Mud Spa & Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,140 reviews · 3 hours · from $68

Review of Rotorua’s Hell’s Gate geothermal walk, mud bath, sulfur spa, Māori carving, practical tips, value, and what to expect.

“The experience was authentic. We started out on guided tour but ended up going out on our own halfway in so we could have a semi private mudbath. If you prefer to be in mudbath and Sulphur spa alone. If you do the guided tour, you will be in there with everyone.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 248 reviews · from $46

Explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley near Rotorua on a self-guided hike with steaming lakes, Inferno Crater Lake, shuttle buses, and forest trails.

“Wonderfully rich experience of flora, fauna and geothermal activity in a spectacular historic and dynamic landscape”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Hell’s Gate Geothermal Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 217 reviews · 1 hour · from $26Best value

Review Hell's Gate Geothermal Walk near Rotorua, with bubbling mud, hot waterfalls, Māori carving, practical tips, and honest value advice.

“Our tour guide was Liam and I tell you what he was the best tour guide I have ever had. If I were to come back again I want Liam to be my tour guide again. He was very informative, friendly and humorous. Just a very lovely character.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Mount Tarawera Volcanic Crater Half-Day Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 121 reviews · 4h 30m · from $118

Review of Mount Tarawera’s guided crater walk from Rotorua, with 4x4 transport, Māori stories, panoramic views, and practical hiking tips.

“The tour was amazing. I was picked up from my hotel and the guide was super nice. The Hike was amazing, but make sure you are dressed correctly and follow the advices from the guide. I really enjoyed it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Hell’s Gate Geothermal Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 120 reviews · from $27

Explore bubbling mud, geysers, Māori stories, and forest paths at Hell’s Gate in Rotorua, with guided or self-guided walks from $27.93.

“Great picturesque walk through the bushes to the craters followed by a relaxing mud bath. Perfect experience with family if you want some quality time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Waimangu: Volcanic Valley Walk and Lake Rotomahana Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 55 reviews · 5 hours · from $107

Walk Waimangu Volcanic Valley, see Inferno Crater, then cruise Lake Rotomahana for geysers, birds, and Tarawera history.

“Le personnel à l'accueil tout à fait adorable, il nous a même offert le petit déjeuner parce qu'ils avaient un problème de bateau. De bon conseil pour la façon de visiter le site.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Full Waimangu Experience – Walk & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $111

Explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley on foot, see Frying Pan Lake and Inferno Crater, then cruise Lake Rotomahana for $111.70.

“What a peaceful and unique experience. We hadn’t visited sites like this in the past and really enjoyed seeing such stunning natural wonders. The setting is pristine and well maintained. The restrooms were very clean. The trails were easRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Helicopter Flight and Guided Walk on Mt Tarawera

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 40 min · from $376

Fly from Rotorua to Mt Tarawera, land beside volcanic craters, and take a guided walk through New Zealand’s dramatic eruption country.

“An amazing bucket list experience. Stunning landscape. Ian our pilot was a fabulous narrator. Cannot recommend this enough.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Tongariro Discovery Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $309

Review the private Tongariro Discovery Walk from Rotorua or Taupō, with guided trails, lunch, mountain views, waterfalls, and flexible routes.

“Norm was superb. We had a great drive and hike with him into Tongariro national park. Unfortunately it was cloudy, and we had a bit of rain on our hike, but didn’t detract from the experience”

Check availability →Read our full review