Breadcrumb
New Zealand tour itinerary name and information
Thrifty Tours

Waitomo Caves and Rotorua 2 day tour

Visit Waitomo Caves, Te Puia, and Tamaki Maori Village in a 2 day tour. Enjoy a full free day in Rotorua, famous for being one of the worlds most active volcanic regions. Take a ride on the Gondola for stunning lake views or zoom down the tracks on the luge for some thrill seeking action! Contact our team today for more information or to extend this tour to add a extra days. 

Tour summary and feature

Tour overview

Departs every day - flexible independent travel

This suggested tour costs from NZD$1,140 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Auckland, finishes in Auckland

2 days/1 nights

Hotel 3 star

 Customisable? YES

 Viewed 126 times in the last 7 days

Looking for something slightly different?

We can customize this tour suggestion to suit you perfectly. Add more time in favourite locations, stay in different accommodations, experience activities that interest you - we can arrange it all. Just get in touch to get your Tailor-Made itinerary

Tour full itinerary
View Detailed Itinerary
Auckland to Rotorua and Waitomo Caves with FlexiTours

Travel from Auckland to Rotorua, stopping at the iconic Waitomo Glow Worm Caves along the way. Enjoy a guided tour of the world-famous Glowworm Caves, where you'll glide by boat through a magical grotto illuminated by thousands of tiny glowworms. This tour showcases some of the North Island's most iconic destinations, including Rotorua, renowned for its geothermal wonders and rich Māori heritage. Your unforgettable journey concludes in Rotorua.

Te Pā Tū Evening Māori Cultural Experience - Dinner Included

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, presenting Te Pā Tū. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Your accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua

Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua boasts a location that is second-to-none, right on the shores of beautiful Lake Rotorua. Adjacent to the world-famous Polynesian Spa complex and just a short stroll to all the attractions in Rotorua.
Meals included: Speciality Dinner

Back to top

Explore Rotorua

Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools and steaming geysers, 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, a visit to one of the Māori experiences should be high on your agenda, learn about the special meaning of pounamu-Greenstone with Mountain Jade, explore the geysers and arts of Te Puia or immerse in an evening with Te Pā Tū. An excursion to one of the area's wellness spas is also a must! Try the Polynesian Spa for an invigorating soak in its natural mineral hot springs, Wai Ariki offers an indulging and unwinding restorative journey or pay a quick visit to Secret Spot for a soak and a delicious smash burger!
If it is a thrill you are looking for, spike your adrenaline at Rotorua Canopy Tours, soaring above the ancient native forest below. Alternatively, head up the Skyline Rotorua Gondola for soaring lake views, and ride the luge at night for an extra thrill.
Make the most of your time in Rotorua with an excursion through the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, one of the area’s most colourful volcanic attractions. Whatever you are after, Rotorua is almost certain to have it!

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Original Ziplining Experience with Rotorua Canopy Tours

Embark on a three-hour adventure through the native New Zealand forest. Journey through the beautiful forest canopy via an incredible network of trails, tree platforms, Ziplines and swing bridges. See breathtaking views of the woodland valleys and hills as you fly through tight openings in the trees. In between the thrill of the ziplines and suspended tree bridges, your guides will share their passion and knowledge for the forest and the conservation challenges to preserve it. 

It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information see here.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Polynesian Spa Deluxe Lake Spa

Rotorua's Polynesian Spa offers a unique thermal spa experience on the shore of Lake Rotorua. Enjoy tranquil bathing and lake views in four shallow alkaline rock pools, each with different temperatures (36˚C to 42˚C). Surrounded by revitalising native New Zealand flora, natural rocks, the sound of two waterfalls and a grotto. The pools are filled with soothing alkaline mineral water leaving your skin soft and supple. Unwind in either the indoor or outdoor relaxation area overlooking the four hot mineral pools and Lake Rotorua, here you can further decompress on the five geothermally heated recliners set in the stunning backdrop of New Zealand's lush and natural greenery. The Lake Spa is a unique thermal pool environment, where the atmosphere changes from day to night, and from winter steam to summer sparkle.

Rotorua to Auckland by InterCity Coach

The drive from Rotorua to Auckland takes you through the heart of the Waikato and its rich agricultural land. Along New Zealand's longest river, the Waikato. A little further than Hamilton is Auckland City, New Zealand's largest, spread over approximately 60 square kilometres. From the vibrant and trendy fashion and cuisine found in Ponsonby and Parnell to the breathtaking native bush and beaches of the West Coast, Auckland is full of life and the opportunities to explore are endless.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Eco Thermal Park Tour with Elite Adventures

Experience it all on the ultimate volcanic and geothermal Rotorua tour. Discover vibrant hot springs, erupting geysers, bubbling mud pools, majestic volcanoes, and lush native forests on this fully guided half-day adventure. Journey through scenic forestry and farmland to Wai-O-Tapu, home to New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool and a series of dazzling hot springs. Witness the dramatic eruption of the Lady Knox geyser before heading to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Here, your guide will share the fascinating story of the Mt Tarawera eruption that shaped this spectacular geothermal wonderland.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Mountain Jade - Highlights Tour

This 30 minute highlights tour is a rare opportunity to spend time with New Zealand Jade artists. New Zealand Jade known as Greenstone, but more commonly known in New Zealand as Pounamu has a rich history within Maori culture. The expert guide will show you the intricate process of Pounamu carving first hand in the Mountain Jade studio. The local artist will be there to personally demonstrate the carving process and share their stories and knowledge with you. To top off the tour, you will get to select your very own piece of Pounamu and learn to string it yourself so you can take it home.

Back to top

Contact form
Enquire about this tour
Your contact information
Subscribe to our Regular Newsletter for Inspiring Holiday Ideas
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Tour quick quote rework
Get an Instant Quote or Book this Tour
Waitomo Caves and Rotorua 2 day tour
Step 1:
Step 2: Select number of passengers and room configuration

Enter phone number to get a call from a travel planning expert within 24 hours

Enter email address to receive your instant quote

Tick this box if you do not wish to receive emails about special offers
No pricing loaded - please choose another date or contact us
Your quote for this tour:
Start date:
End date:
Guests:
Rooms:
Total cost for ALL guests on this tour package is:
NZD$0
or
This quote is based on vehicles to accommodate your party in the vehicle type. We suggest changing the car type or contacting us for the best options.
The package cost above excludes rental vehicle hire as you are requesting a price for a vehicle outside of our designated season. Please reach out direct for rental vehicle rates.

NOTE: Quotes are subject to the availability of specific accommodations and other inclusions. Our NZ touring experts will be in touch with you regarding this. Costs quoted in currencies other than New Zealand dollars (NZ$) are based on today's exchange rate and are subject to change. Terms and Conditions apply.

Remember - we can create this itinerary with any accommodation style or customise it to suit your interests and timeframe. Just contact us here.