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Rotorua and Taupō

Luxury Rotorua and Taupo Tours made for you

New Zealand's geothermal playground

Discover volcano craters, stunning lakes and welcoming communities

Steaming mud pools, erupting geysers and Maori traditions all make Rotorua and Taupo a special area to visit – one that is distinctively unique to the rest of New Zealand.

You’re likely to smell the sulphur-rich geothermal playground of Rotorua before seeing it, with its endless volcanic pools bubbling throughout the city. This destination is one of the most popular tourist spots in the North Island thanks to its unique thermal activity and multitude of activities. Explore and wander around the assortment of geothermal parks, or take inspiration from the locals and while away the hours soaking in the mineral-rich hot pools.

The region of Rotorua was revered by the Maori and it’s the perfect place to gain insight into this culture – from its many maraes (greeting houses) to sampling a traditional hangi feast, which is cooked in the steaming ground.

An hour’s drive south of Rotorua is its counterpart resort town, Taupo – resting on the northeastern shores of Australasia’s largest lake. Actually a volcano crater, the lake’s deep blue waters draw visitors with its idyllic swimming holes, reputable fishing and adventure sports. On a clear day, the views stretch out over the glassy water to the snowcapped volcanoes of Tongariro National Park in the distance. The country’s longest river, the Waikato, also flows out of here, crashing over the nearby and must-see Huka Falls.

Go paddling in one of the swimming holes of Lake Taupo, enjoy a sunset cruise, or try your hand at fishing on the banks of Waikato River.

  • Treewalk through Forest of Tree Ferns and Giant Redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest near Rotorua, New Zealand
  • Aerial view of Huka Falls, Taupo / New Zealand
  • Lake Rotorua at sunrise, North Island, New Zealand
  • Maori Haus in Rotorua, North Island, Neuseeland

From our experts

Experiences picked by our Rotorua and Taupō specialists

Hike and bike world-class forest trails

Venture into the native forests for hiking or mountain biking along numerous world-class trails

See the Mine Bay rock carvings

Learn about the culture of the Maori by visiting Mine Bay to see the rock carvings

Raft the rapids or walk the lakeshores

Soak up the scenery at one of the 18 freshwater lakes or tackle the swift river rapids in a raft

Zip-line, zorb or bungee jump

Get your adrenaline pumping with zip-lining, zorbing or even bungee jumping

A word from one of our experts

Discover true Māori culture in the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua and feast on a traditional Māori hāngi. Go on to explore New Zealand’s largest lake: Lake Taupo and revel in the thunderous blue waters of Huka Falls.

Rosanna Convey Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Rotorua and Taupo

There are many incredible places to stay in Rotorua and Taupo. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

  • Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

  • Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

  • Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Trip inspiration

Get inspired with our Rotorua and Taupo example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Rotorua and Taupo tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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Discover more of New Zealand

Meet your Australasia team

When to visit

New Zealand is a year-round destination. In summer visit the beaches and explore the country’s National Parks. Spring is a mild time of year to travel and the countryside comes to life. In winter the South Island is a playground for outdoor adventures and epic scenery. Autumn sees cold, crisp days in the South Island and more mild rainy days in the North Island.

Wine tasting

March–April

Ski and snowboard

June–September

Whale and dolphin spotting

Year Round

When Is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand?

New Zealand travel guides

Plan your trip to Rotorua and Taupo

Whatever you want from your adventure in Rotorua and Taupo, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start Planning

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“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”

We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

Amy Schulz Trustpilot ★★★★★

“heavenly honeymoon”

My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…

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“Jacada Travel has been outstanding”

We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

Lisa Schrage Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Communication and organization were…”

Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!

Andrew Woodcock Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Iceland 8 Days”

We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.

The Reynolds Trustpilot ★★★★★

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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