Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Rotorua Te Puia Small-Group Bus Tour from Auckland
by Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.NZ$818Overview
The North Island of New Zealand features the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, known for their limestone formations and glowworm displays, and Rotorua, which is famous for geothermal activity and Māori culture. This small-group bus tour from Auckland lasts about 13 hours and includes hotel pickup and drop-off at selected locations. The tour begins in Auckland, where the guide points out key city landmarks as the group heads south through the Waikato Region. Along the way, travelers see rural farmland, mountains, rivers, and pass through Taupiri, a place with cultural sites such as Māori burial grounds and totem poles. Next, the bus stops in Otorohanga, known as the Kiwiana capital of New Zealand. At the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, guests take a guided walk through limestone caves featuring stalactites, stalagmites, and lime columns. The highlight is a boat ride on an underground river lit by thousands of glowworms. After about an hour, the tour continues to Te Puia in Rotorua. Here, a fully guided 90-minute visit covers geothermal features including the Pōhutu Geyser, bubbling mud pools, Māori architecture, the National Māori Arts School, and a kiwi bird viewing house. The final stop is a guided drive around Rotorua city, passing Lake Rotorua, the Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Whangapipiro (Rachel Spring), and the Blue Baths. Time permitting, there may be a stop at a souvenir shop offering Manuka honey. The return trip to Auckland includes additional guided commentary and secret stops along the way. Water and snacks are provided throughout the day, but lunch is not included, though there are opportunities to buy food during the journey.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Auckland Central
The tour begins in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. As the group departs, the guide highlights some of the city's main sights and sets the context for the day.
Waikato Region
Traveling south through Waikato, the tour passes farmland, mountains, rivers, and scenic countryside. The route includes Taupiri, known for Māori burial grounds and cultural totem poles.
Otorohanga
The bus passes through Otorohanga, known as New Zealand's Kiwiana capital, showcasing local culture and landmarks.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Visitors are guided through ancient caves showcasing stalactites, stalagmites, and lime columns before descending further underground for a glowworm experience. They board a boat to cruise along an underground river illuminated by thousands of glowworms. The Waitomo Glowworm Caves have been unique to New Zealand for over 120 years.
60 min
Te Puia
At Te Puia, the tour includes a fully guided 90-minute visit to geothermal and cultural sites. Visitors see the Pōhutu Geyser, bubbling mud pools, Māori architecture, the National Māori Arts School, geothermal craters, and can view kiwi birds in a special house.
120 min
Rotorua
The tour continues with a guided driving tour of Rotorua city, passing Lake Rotorua, Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Whangapipiro (Rachel Spring), and the Blue Baths. Time permitting, there may be a stop at a souvenir shop offering Manuka honey.
Auckland
The return trip to Auckland is fully guided and includes secret stops along the way before arriving back in the city.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Rotorua Te Puia Small-Group Bus Tour from Auckland
by Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.NZ$818Overview
The North Island of New Zealand features the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, known for their limestone formations and glowworm displays, and Rotorua, which is famous for geothermal activity and Māori culture. This small-group bus tour from Auckland lasts about 13 hours and includes hotel pickup and drop-off at selected locations. The tour begins in Auckland, where the guide points out key city landmarks as the group heads south through the Waikato Region. Along the way, travelers see rural farmland, mountains, rivers, and pass through Taupiri, a place with cultural sites such as Māori burial grounds and totem poles. Next, the bus stops in Otorohanga, known as the Kiwiana capital of New Zealand. At the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, guests take a guided walk through limestone caves featuring stalactites, stalagmites, and lime columns. The highlight is a boat ride on an underground river lit by thousands of glowworms. After about an hour, the tour continues to Te Puia in Rotorua. Here, a fully guided 90-minute visit covers geothermal features including the Pōhutu Geyser, bubbling mud pools, Māori architecture, the National Māori Arts School, and a kiwi bird viewing house. The final stop is a guided drive around Rotorua city, passing Lake Rotorua, the Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Whangapipiro (Rachel Spring), and the Blue Baths. Time permitting, there may be a stop at a souvenir shop offering Manuka honey. The return trip to Auckland includes additional guided commentary and secret stops along the way. Water and snacks are provided throughout the day, but lunch is not included, though there are opportunities to buy food during the journey.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Auckland Central
The tour begins in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. As the group departs, the guide highlights some of the city's main sights and sets the context for the day.
Waikato Region
Traveling south through Waikato, the tour passes farmland, mountains, rivers, and scenic countryside. The route includes Taupiri, known for Māori burial grounds and cultural totem poles.
Otorohanga
The bus passes through Otorohanga, known as New Zealand's Kiwiana capital, showcasing local culture and landmarks.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Visitors are guided through ancient caves showcasing stalactites, stalagmites, and lime columns before descending further underground for a glowworm experience. They board a boat to cruise along an underground river illuminated by thousands of glowworms. The Waitomo Glowworm Caves have been unique to New Zealand for over 120 years.
60 min
Te Puia
At Te Puia, the tour includes a fully guided 90-minute visit to geothermal and cultural sites. Visitors see the Pōhutu Geyser, bubbling mud pools, Māori architecture, the National Māori Arts School, geothermal craters, and can view kiwi birds in a special house.
120 min
Rotorua
The tour continues with a guided driving tour of Rotorua city, passing Lake Rotorua, Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Whangapipiro (Rachel Spring), and the Blue Baths. Time permitting, there may be a stop at a souvenir shop offering Manuka honey.
Auckland
The return trip to Auckland is fully guided and includes secret stops along the way before arriving back in the city.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.