Te Puia - Rotorua

Besides the Sounds, Tauranga is another stop I’m really looking forward to. We have a full day here, and the must-see spots are Hobbiton Movie Set or Rotorua’s Geysers. Now, I’m a huge LOTR fan, but I just couldn’t resist seeing the natural beauty of the geysers. If you’re cruising, though, you might just be lucky enough to squeeze both into one day.

We rented a car from Rite Price Rental, and it was super convenient. They’ve got a shuttle that picks you up right at the port. As soon as you get there, just follow the “Rite Price Rental” flag and it’ll lead you to the pick-up spot. We rented a people mover for the day—it was a bit old and entirely in Japanese, but it got the job done. The rental cost us $482.90 NZD, which felt a bit steep, especially since we couldn’t fully use all the car’s features. To make up for it, they gave us a GPS unit at no extra charge. One tip: bring a power bank! in case the car ddoesn't have a USB charger!

Pohutu Geyser is the largest in the southern hemisphere and among the most active in the area, erupting up to twenty times per day at heights of up to 30 m

The drive from Tauranga to Rotorua is easy. It’s all highway, straight road. I was torn between Te Puia or Waimangu Volcanic Valley, but I went with Te Puia since it’s the most active geyser and the closest. If you have time, though, Waimangu is worth it too, especially the ferry cruise along the lake. But, since this was our first time in New Zealand, we decided to stick to one option and leave some buffer time to get back to the port. As I mention in my Plan, Pack, Play book, pick one place you really want to experience.

We arrived pretty early, so we grabbed a quick breakfast at Hiakai Café. Honestly, not much on offer—just pies, cakes, and sandwiches. We spent the rest of the morning shopping and, to my surprise, the prices were pretty reasonable! I picked up Rotorua Natural Mud, a handmade tile, and Brad got some pāua shell cufflinks. Claire and Charlie grabbed hats and pins.

The tour started after that, and I’d recommend packing a hat, water bottle, and an umbrella. It gets hot walking around natural hot springs (obviously!). We were lucky enough to see the geyser erupt, and our guide said it was the biggest one he’d ever seen! Nature really puts on a show. We also learned about native plants and how locals use mud for skin treatments.

We also saw a kiwi bird for the first time! I always thought they were tiny, but nope—not at all! No photos, though, since kiwis are nocturnal, and any light (like a camera flash) could disturb them. Oh, and be quiet—they don’t like loud noise either. When you step into the room, give your eyes a bit of time to adjust from bright to dark. It took me a few minutes before I could actually see them!

After the geysers, we headed over to the NZ Maori Arts and Crafts Institute to check out how they craft greenstone and woodwork.

On our way out, we met a lovely guy from Shoretrips and Tours who suggested we wait in the shed while Brad went to get the car. He’d let us know when Brad arrived—such a sweet gesture. I love how relaxed and polite people are in New Zealand. It’s the kind of place where you feel welcome. If only their government would do better by their citizens though—GST at 15% and all the road taxes? A bit much! But let’s not get into that here—this is a family-friendly space! 😄

We still had plenty of time left, so we decided to head to the Redwood Walk. I was hoping it wouldn’t be too busy, but nope—packed! With the heat (which, let’s be real, I can’t handle), we quickly changed plans and opted for Redwood Drive instead… which was really just us driving around the car park without getting out. 😂 Then, we drove back to Tauranga, returned the car, and made our way back to the cruise ship. There’s something so satisfying about finishing an excursion and returning to the ship.

By that point, Brad and Claire were done for the day, but I went for a walk around the port with Charlie. They’ve been great with all the walking on this trip—so proud of them!

I really love the port in Tauranga. Honestly, if you're not up for an adventure or just want to chill, spending the day at the port is actually pretty nice. There's a beach right next to it, plus a street lined with local shops, food spots, and even places where you can get a massage. It’s a great place to kick back and soak in the vibe. We walked past this grey house that had what looked like Roman columns in the front, and Charlie asked, "Is that a bank?" I told him it was a house, and he was like, "That’s cool!"

To sum it up, I’ll definitely be back for Hobbiton Movie Set and Waimangu so I can tick them off the list!