Top 15 Volcano Tours in New Zealand

Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park Entry Ticket - Planning the morning around Lady Knox Geyser

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,601 reviews · 3 months · from $28Our pick

Review of Wai-O-Tapu near Rotorua, with colorful hot pools, Lady Knox Geyser, walking routes, access tips, and honest value advice.

“Fantastic park, staff were all so lovely and welcoming! We got there by intercity bus and walked 30mins from the bus stop to the entrance - would not recommend this as it’s along the motorway with no path but grass. You can also walk along a twisty road off the motorway. It is doable but dangerous.”

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Rotorua: Hell’s Gate Outdoor Mud Spa & Guided Walk

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

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

Explore Rotorua’s Hell’s Gate geothermal park, guided walk, Māori carving, mud bath, sulphur spa, and practical tips for a better visit.

“We had a wonderful time exploring the geothermal pools here. It’s truly a sight to marvel up close when you see how brutal nature can be, and things start to feel real. The mud pools are a lot of fun and feel very rejuvenating and relaxing. If you are in Rotorua, you should not miss out on this experience as it’s a novelty and you only get to experience this in a few places across the globe. We didn’t get a guided tour guide which we were hoping for. They asked us to do the self-guided tour, which is one thing I regret to an extent.”

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Whitianga: 2-Hour Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Cruise

3.Whitianga: 2-Hour Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 816 reviews · 2 hours · from $83

Review of Whitianga’s 2-hour Cathedral Cove cruise, with volcanic cliffs, sea caves, live commentary, wildlife tips, price advice, and practical details.

“Our skipper Sam was truly excellent in all ways. Very knowledgeable about the area and clear and easy to hear. Her boat handling skills were amazing. A trip not to be missed.”

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2 Hour Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Cruise with Shade Canopy

4.2 Hour Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Cruise with Shade Canopy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · from $96Top rated

Cruise Cathedral Cove and New Zealand’s volcanic coast from Whitianga on a shaded, small-group boat tour with expert local commentary.

“Excellent trip- comfortable and fun! Sam our tour guide was friendly and knowledgable. Hold on to your hats if it’s a windy day!”

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Rotorua Lake: Deluxe Lake Spa Geothermal Hot Spring Bathing

5.Rotorua Lake: Deluxe Lake Spa Geothermal Hot Spring Bathing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 302 reviews · from $47

Review of Polynesian Spa’s Deluxe Lake Spa in Rotorua, with five mineral pools, Lake Rotorua views, heated recliners, prices, tips, and practical advice.

“Not crowded. Variety of pools to choose from. Clean washrooms. Cold plunge was a good conclusion.”

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Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+

6.Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 296 reviews · from $29

Review the 12+ Pavilion Pools at Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa, with seven mineral pools, lake views, reflexology, prices, tips, and drawbacks.

“Great expérience Great view Great smoothies The 7 pools were great and we enjoyed it To do!!!”

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Rotorua Hiking: Mt Tarawera Guided Volcanic Crater Experience

7.Rotorua Hiking: Mt Tarawera Guided Volcanic Crater Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 283 reviews · from $121

Review of Mt Tarawera’s guided crater hike from Rotorua, with volcanic views, Māori culture, scree runs, fitness tips, price, and practical advice.

“The colors were breathtaking. A beautiful juxtaposition of lime green aside rust red. The sun made the experience warm, while the mountain top breeze kept it refreshing. Our guide, Daniel, made this a once in a lifetime experience. He was warm, personable, grounded, and knowledgable. We felt extremely connected to the land, it's history, and it's spirituality. We felt like we could have spent all day there. The hike was manageable, but required physical skill. Our tour had only 5 people in it, which really aided the personal aspects of the hike. The "run" down into the caldera was awesome! We were picked up at a nearby coffee shop, and…”

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Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

8.Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

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

Walk Waimangu Volcanic Valley at your own pace, seeing steaming lakes, Inferno Crater Lake, native bush, and more for $46.54.

“Great self guided walk. We absolutely loved it. The only critic I have is that our appt was at 3 PM and they told us the last bus stopping at bus stop 3 leave at 4:35 which cut our experience short as we had to rush our walk to make sure we make it to the bus. They should keep it running till 5.”

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Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Deluxe Lake Spa Hot Spring Bathing

9.Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Deluxe Lake Spa Hot Spring Bathing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 227 reviews · from $49

Review of Polynesian Spa Rotorua’s Deluxe Lake Spa, with mineral pools, lake views, family access, practical tips, value, and drawbacks.

“Not hi end at all very commercial catering to groups of tourists from India , China. Nothing personal about it . Wouldn’t recommend it. We only did this because all others around us didn’t allow kids between 10 and 12. Very crowded and not modern looking .”

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Rotorua: Hell’s Gate Geothermal Walk

10.Hell’s Gate Geothermal Walk

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

Explore Rotorua’s Hell’s Gate geothermal walk, with boiling pools, mud volcanoes, Māori carving, practical tips, and honest value advice.

“Very interesting tour, Luke was very knowledgeable, effective amd funny. I had a great time there. Highly recommended tour.”

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Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako

11.Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 178 reviews · from $35

Explore Orakei Korako near Taupo on foot, with geysers, silica terraces, mud pools, Ruatapu Cave, and a short ferry ride included.

“Amazing spectacle, you wont be disappointed. I arrived on a fog filled morning in winter was chilly but that added to the ambience. You are taken across the lake on a short ferry ride to start the 2.5km walk around the thermals. There's a lot of stairs, that are safe and flat but watch your knees jarring coming down. The pathway climbs steadily (so reasonable fitness, not for the very elderly) up to different levels, for amazing views of steam mud blow holes coloured mineral glaciers, and amazing caves. Not suitable for pushchairs or buggies but young children can be carried in backpacks provided.”

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Taupo: Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave Entry Ticket

12.Taupo: Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 158 reviews · 1 day · from $34

Explore Orakei Korako near Taupo with geysers, silica terraces, Ruatapu Cave, and a quiet self-guided walk for $34.

“Great experience- everything clearly marked and great boardwalk. So interesting to see the geothermal landscape and activity.”

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Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Pavilion (12+ yrs) Hot Pool Bathing

13.Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Pavilion (12+ yrs) Hot Pool Bathing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 154 reviews · from $31

Review of Polynesian Spa Rotorua’s Pavilion pools, with mineral water temperatures, lake views, costs, facilities, tips, and practical advice.

“Multiple thermal pools of varying temps, half of them are acidic, the other half alkaline. You can rent towels and swimsuits if needed. Complimentary baskets for your things are available poolside, or you can rent a locker. Beautiful lakeside view.”

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Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour

14.Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 145 reviews · from $166

Review of the 6.5-hour Tauranga to Whakarewarewa tour, with Māori culture, geothermal sights, hangi lunch, Rotorua stops, and cruise-port pickup.

“We are very happy with our tour to Rotorua. Brian is a wonderful guide. He is knowledgeable and friendly and respectful. He kept the tour going at a good pace. I loved the history commentary. We spent a couple of hours at the Māori village. The tour with a resident of the village was fascinating. The performance was wonderful and the lunch was an added bonus. We made several stops on the way back to see other aspects of the area. Overall, an excellent day.”

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Whakaari – White Island Cultural and Flight Experience

15.Whakaari – White Island Cultural and Flight Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 138 reviews · 1 hour · from $388

Fly over Whakaari White Island from Whakatane, with Maori storytelling, volcano views, music, and close photo passes.

“Fantastic experience - the views were amazing, seeing White Island and the surrounds from above was something special but the overall experience was more exceptional with the additional cultural experience on Maori history and languages, and the pilot who included everyone like part of the family - one of the best experiences in travel we have had - definitely recommend !”

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