Outside the information center/ i-site. Silver Ford Transit mini van with Real Rotorua signage on it.
Description
Explore The Lakes Tour – 9am to 1pm
By far the best lakes tour in Rotorua, small group, locations and value.
With 18 lakes in the Rotorua area our Explore The Lakes Tour provides a driver-guided exploration of some of the highlights of New Zealand’s Lake District: Hamurana springs, the largest fresh water spring in the North island. Okere falls and Tutea falls with Native forest walk. lake Rotoiti, the Blue and Green lakes and lake Tarawera. Explore our favourite scenic spots and natural springs on foot. Take photographs at your leisure and learn about Rotorua’s colourful culture and history from our knowledgeable and friendly guide.
• Highlights
• Small group, relaxed atmosphere.
• Informative, outgoing driver-guide.
• Breath-taking scenery.
• No queues .
• Half day tour.
Tour Options
Explore The Lakes Tour
Pickup included
Itinerary
Lake Rotorua
Pass by
with 18 lakes in the district i will guide you to the best locations, without the crowds and part of a small group
Enjoy a native forest walk through the Okere falls scenic reserve . Desend the stairs to Tutea falls the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world
Redwoods Treewalk
Pass by
redwood plantation
Blue Lake Track
10 min
Blue lake
Lake Rotokakahi
10 min
two lakes side by side, one blue one green surrounded by thousands of fern trees
Lake Tarawera
15 min
enjoy a walk along the shores of lake Tarawera with Mt Tarawera rising up across the lake
What's included
Included
All Fees and Taxes
Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Rotorua Central only.
Not included
Lunch
Traveller Ratings
5.0
71 reviews
5
71
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
Important Information
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
A maximum of 8 people per tour
Operates in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Supportive footwear such as trainers or hiking boots is recommended
This tour includes walks of up to 2 kilometers, a good level of fitness and balance is required for all participants
Risk Disclosure: We operate a strict safety management system that is audited to New Zealand standards. It is important for you to be aware of the risk and hazards of this tour which are: uneven grounds, tree roots, rocks and slippery surfaces that could result in slips, trips and falls causing injury / strains / sprains / or broken bones
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Explore The Lakes Tour take?
Explore The Lakes Tour lasts about 4 hours. The itinerary has 8 stops.
How much does Explore The Lakes Tour cost?
Prices start at $87 per person for this Rotorua experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Explore The Lakes Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup points include Manhattan Motel.
What languages is Explore The Lakes Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 8 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Confirmation is sent by the operator within 24 hours of booking.
Is Explore The Lakes Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 71 verified reviews; it is run by Real Rotorua.
Reviews(71)
S
Susan_A
April 22, 2026
Book this tour today
This trip was wonderful, we thoroughly enjoyed it, Stephen is so knowledgeable, we felt we learnt so much and gained way more than if we had decided to tour Rotorua on our own. The special places Stephen showed was absolutely stunning, and the added bonus was the beautiful hot chocolate provided by Stephen's wife, the best I've had since in NZ. Do yourself a favour, book this tour and sit back and enjoy.
Operator response
Awesome to hear you loved the Lakes tour and all its little gems along the way.
Thanks for sharing your experience . All the best.
Cheers Stephen
S
sueaU1247PG
April 22, 2026
Book this tour now
This trip was wonderful, we thoroughly enjoyed it, Stephen is so knowledgeable, we felt we learnt so much and gained way more than if we had decided to tour Rotorua on our own. The special places Stephen showed was absolutely stunning, and the added bonus was the beautiful hot chocolate provided by Stephen's wife, the best I've had since in NZ. Do yourself a favour, book this tour and sit back and enjoy.
Operator response
Thanks guys. A pleasure to be able to share a little knowledge and some of our beautiful little gems around the lakes of Rotorua. 5 star hot chocolate for sure.
All the best.
cheers Stephen
2
219vanac
March 24, 2026
A Must-Do Hidden Gem in Rotorua!
If you are looking for an authentic, local experience that feels miles away from the typical tourist traps, the Explore The Lakes Tour by Real Rotorua is an absolute must.
From the start, the experience was seamless. Rosa was incredibly helpful and prompt with our booking, making the entire process stress-free. After completing the tour, I can truly say this experience is a hidden gem. There is something so rewarding about supporting a local business that clearly pours so much heart into what they do.
Our guide, Stephen, was fantastic. His passion for the environment and the local nature is infectious. He shares a deep knowledge of Māori culture throughout the journey, and it was impressive to hear him pronounce the traditional names of each location with such ease and respect.
Highlights of the Day:
Hamurana Springs: This was a magical walk. We learned about "dancing sand," which was fascinating to see in person. A real highlight was being "followed" by the gorgeous pīwakawaka (fantails) and spotting Grey Warblers. Stephen is quite talented at mimicking bird calls, which actually drew them closer to us for an amazing up-close encounter!
Traditional Waka History: It was incredibly interesting to learn about the history of the Waka. Stephen’s storytelling really brings the Māori heritage to life and gives you a much deeper appreciation for the culture of the region.
Okere Falls: The thundering waterfalls are stunning. We loved hearing the stories of the area, especially the touching story behind the two beautiful trees planted side by side. (I won’t spoil it here—you’ll have to hear it from Stephen himself!)
We had a wonderful time and cannot recommend this tour enough. Thank you, Stephen and Rosa, for such a memorable day—and yes, Stephen definitely remembered to shake the hot chocolate!
Operator response
Your welcome guys, I really enjoy doing that tour and awesome to hear you loved all its little gems and my stories and explanations along the way. I love doing what I do and a pleasure to be able to share with you.
all the best.
cheers Stephen
V
VAtourer
February 25, 2026
Experience the nighttime glow worm tour!
Highly recommend. We did both the Explore the lakes tour and the nighttime glow worm tour on the same day. The owner/guide was excellent, and the glow worm tour was something to remember for a long time - we saw them elsewhere but this was the best experience. Groups are small.
Operator response
Thanks again for joining me on both tours. A pleasure to show you the different side to Rotorua.
All the best.
Cheers stephen
C
christianbS9497RI
February 18, 2026
Lakes and springs around Rotorua
We had a fantastic time with Stephen, who showed us beutiful places and shared his stories aboutthe area. We recommend this tour very much.
Operator response
Thanks for taking the time to share you experience and for joining me on the lakes tour. Great to hear you enjoyed it all.
Cheers Stephen
B
B2448SCdanielt
November 17, 2025
Rotorua must do tour.
An absolutely fantastic and informative tour, that everyone should do when in Rotorua. Thank you, Stephen, for an amazing experience!
Operator response
Your welcome. Some of my favorite locations, awesome to hear you enjoyed them as well.
All the best .
Cheers Stephen
T
T4DKM
October 17, 2025
Explore the Lakes
What a wonderful tour we went on this morning in Rotorua with Real Rotorua. Explore the lakes took us away from crowds to see some amazing places. Peaceful & beautiful places with Stephen who was knowledgeable & interesting sharing his obvious passion for the area. Memories from this morning will last a lifetime.
Operator response
That is awesome to hear you enjoyed tour time with me on the Lakes tour and it left you with great memories .
all the best
Cheers stephen
M
Meander24540777324
March 2, 2025
Excellent experience from one Tour Guide to another. Wow
Absolutely worth every cent. Stephen knows all the hidden gems and stories. Learned and experienced many sights and mostly away from the bustling crowds.
Operator response
Great to hear you enjoyed the Lakes tour an the gems along the way. Always a pleasure to share with like minded people.
Happy travels.
Cheers Stephen
H
Heinz_K
March 2, 2025
Hidden Gems of Rotorura
An absolute must do as you get to see and here all about the secret hidden gems away from the crowds. Stephen knowd all these spaces and stories.
Operator response
Thank you for the 5 star review and i would like to share with you that my tour made Trip Advisors number 5 in NZ.
Cheers Stephen
B
BobM450
February 15, 2025
Great introduction to Rotorua
Great tour of the area with ample opportunities to get out and explore the area. We visited four lakes, walked through a grove of redwood trees, and hiked a beautiful path along the river all while learning about the plants, trees, and natural history of the area. Stephen is a very knowledgeable and engaging guide.
Operator response
A pleasure to show you another side of Rotorua and some of its amazing gems.
All the best.
Cheers Stephen
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