No visit to Taupo is complete until you get out into the lake itself and what better way than…read moretaking a sailboat out to see the Maori rock carvings (carved in 1976 to honor a family's ancestors). Captain Dave has been running these trips for 12 years and offers them 4 times daily. Each is a little bit different with morning sails cheaper and evening sails including pizza. We were on the 12:30 Sail which left promptly from the boat marina and lasted around 2 hours. Cost was NZ$39 There were 12 passengers (very comfortable) although he can take 18 and even is open to private charters. As the wind was non-existent we motored across the lake in the bright sunshine (BRING SUN TAN LOTION) for about 40 minutes before reaching the rock carvings. Once there, Dave made several trips around to ensure everyone got the pictures they wanted before heading over to a quiet spot and letting anyone who wished to jump in to the crystal clear (and cold)water. Most everyone went in for at least a bit-very refreshing! (Bring or wear your swim suit). After 20 or so minutes, people climbed back aboard and were offered their beverage of choice including wine, beer, coke, sprite and water. He pointed a few things out along the way and at the carvings but the trip was mostly about the cool breeze on the lake and just relaxing.While he raised the sails on the return, still was t much wind so we quietly motored back. A highlight and something not to miss.

We took the 9:30 cruise because it was the only available on this day. Captain Dave was great and…read moreeverything went great on our cruise to the carvings. The 9:30 time is the earliest cruise by any outfit on Lake Taupo. So there isn't a crowd like the rest of the day at the carvings. Lots of interesting facts on the way. Relaxing and enjoyable 2.5 hours to start your day.

I mainly wanted this glowworm tour because they allow pictures to be taken while in the cave. The…read moretour date I was looking at was fully booked but you can email them to be added to the waitlist. I asked to be added to the waitlist for 2 on October 12, and got off the waitlist on November 9, for a tour on December 28 so don't give up hope if it is originally fully booked! I did the spellbound explorer tour which included a walk through a cave as well as a boat ride through a cave for the glowworms. The tour guide was great and allowed pictures during the first back and forth on the boat ride and asked us to put away our phones during the second. This is because the first go-around allows for the eyes to adjust and see the glowworms better so the second go-around the glowworms are much brighter. The cave walk was also a nice add on for 20 NZD but if the tour with the cave walk is not available the regular boat ride is perfect on its own. I loved this tour as our tour guide took pictures for each group that wanted some with glowworms and also provided us with personal pictures of glowworms taken with a nicer camera with a longer shutter speed.

Oceane was an informative and friendly guide. We were able to see so many glow worms! It was like…read moreseeing the milky way! Ask her about Mama Mia if you like aquatic wildlife.

This place by the Taupo lake is a must visit. It's literally by the lake, you can choose to sit out…read moreby the sand which has a major beach vibe or you can sit inside, which feels like you are on a cruise/boat out on the lake. Parking deck is outside, it's a self service place. They give you buzzers as you order food and drinks and it lights up once your order is ready. It's casual in a classy way. The pizzas were really good. Thin crust, wood-fire and perfect. The drinks also were really good. Mine was a lychee cocktail not for you if you don't like it sweet. I will recommend this place and hopefully revisit.

Don't come here expecting service. No water, napkins etc…read morePizza was good, the buzzer malfunctioned and we waited forever for our food

Absolute must visit for us -- Maybe better than Yellowstone…read more Drive to Lake Rotomahana. and be prepared for geothermal wonderland Well worth the drive and the time Geothermal areas are through out the north island, and this is one of the best

This is a must visit if you are in Rotorua! From the Inferno Crater, the Frying Pan Lake to the…read morewetlands and Lake Rotomahana, Waimangu provides a primordial landscape-an otherworldly atmosphere! Huge ferns tower above you while bubbling craters and streams lead to wetland "jacuzzis" perfect for native and introduced birds such as ducks, geese and swans. There is a boat at Lake Rotomahana that ordinarily takes you to see other geothermal delights but it was under maintenance during our visit. You can contact Waimangu to see whether the boat is operational before booking your tour. The walk to the lake includes a nice ride back to the visitor center via bus. You can catch it at two previous locations along the way if you are not interested in the full walk.

Great value for the money. Other than harassing the riparian wildlife up and down the river, I…read morereally enjoyed the trip with Captain Lamar who is full of stories, true or otherwise (ok, mostly fun BS). He is masterful with his 360 spins (aka Hamilltons). Loved the wade into the gorge for the waterfall through the Squeeze!

This is a nice way to get up close to the falls and get a few pictures. The boat cruise itself is…read morenice, but there really isn't anything to see until you get around to the falls other than a few ducks and swans. The ride take around 1 hour 20 min and you can jump into the river for a short swim if you like. While it's not too expensive, we paid around NZ$39 per person, it's a pretty big investment of time. Once at the falls, the driver made several swings round to allow people a chance to get pictures in front of the raging waters but it was a bit rushed and tricky in the timing.

If you're visiting Taupo with younger kids and they're not tall enough for the Huka Falls Jet, this…read moreis more than just a good alternative, the Huka Falls River Cruise stands out on its own as a must-try experience. While adrenaline junkies might say it lacks the excitement that the jet boat offers, it more than makes up for it with the relaxing cruise, a very capable and friendly skipper and an awesome view of the falls -- they can definitely get you much closer to the amazing waterfalls and there's plenty of photo opportunity when they do. Our skipper was super friendly and knowledgeable, he even let let our 3-year-old and 4-year-old "drive" the boat, which was the highlight of our trip. He knew about the river's history, the birdlife in the area and was comfortable with some quiet moments where you can just appreciate the view. This is one of the best experiences for us in NZ so far.

Kaitiaki adventures is a must when visiting Rotorua! The team is incredible! We not only felt…read morecompletely safe but had an amazing time! Highly recommend.

So worth the money. I'd been white water rafting before but was apprehensive to venture down the…read moreworld's tallest (21ft) waterfall. The crew provided all the gear, instruction and motivation necessary to keep us safe. My daughter and I had a blast. Well worth the money. Don't miss this adventure.

During our stay in Napier, we hired two different guides on two different days to take us around to…read moretaste at undiscovered gems. Nick, who owns the company was our guide and did a wonderful job. we wanted to explore and taste some of the wine from the region so having had great success with wine guides in other parts of the world (Bordeaux, Tuscany, Stellenbosch, McLaren Vale and Piedmont) we searched out and found Nick. We arranged everything via email and I asked for small boutique wineries preferably family-run that are doing unique and interesting things. Our half day, private-tour more than met those requirements with Nick guiding us to some real gems that we never would had experienced setting out on our own. Nick is a very genial fellow and fun to talk with. Originally from the UK, he has made his home here In Napier for 12 years and is an amateur wine maker and hobby farmer himself. His price for our tour (he picked us up and dropped us off at our B&B) was VERY reasonable. You do pay your own tasting fees at the winery but we only had to do this at one winery and it was only NZ$8 per person. Nick customizes trips based on the interests of his clients and even made adjustments the night before when I called him up to reconfirm. A great way to spend the afternoon. He also does sight-seeing tours around the Napier area. Highly recommended

Visiting Hobbiton was easily one of the highlights of our trip to the north island. The experience…read morebegan with a scenic bus ride across a working sheep farm, during which we learned about how the location was discovered and transformed into the iconic film set that it is today. Once we arrived, we were taken on a guided walking tour through the beautifully preserved set. Along the way, we saw some of the most memorable spots from the films, including the famous hillside where Frodo sets off on his adventure. One of my favorite parts came toward the end of the tour, when we were able to step inside a hobbit hole. The interiors were meticulously decorated, making it easy to imagine what life in the Shire might actually feel like! At the end of the tour, we stopped by Green Dragon Inn, where we enjoyed a complimentary drink (there's both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available). Overall, this was such a magical experience! Be sure to book ahead, as the popular tour times tend to get booked out pretty far in advance during peak season.

Hobbiton is exactly what you think it will be. If you're a fan of the movies and most importantly a…read morefan of Hobbiton, you are stepping into a real life fantasy. I was there for a wedding and we received our own private tour, so I can't say whether it was like the standard tour. You start off from essentially their home base. You get on a bus and drive across to an active live sheep and cattle farm. The sets are built on the farm. The hobbit homes are all exterior and gorgeous. The details are immaculate. They even have real smoke coming from chimneys! There is a built out interior for tourists to traverse and the details are amazing. I found an accordion in one and it worked! There are alcoholic beverages at the Pony, but alcohol content is low. Probably to keep us from acting out scenes from the movies. The tour guides were also awesome, funny, and knowledgeable. Magical place. 10/10

We got the ticket for the full guided tour, dinner, and the show. It's pricy but we enjoyed it very…read moremuch and it's a unique experience. The tour starts with some quick stops at the traditional way the food is cooked and at a carved canoe to give a glimpse of Māori life. You get to see some kiwi birds, then cruise around the geyser area. Lots of lookouts and viewing sites. You finish the tour in the art center where the intricate carvings and weaving are done. Next is dinner. The buffet has a ton of meat (meat coma) along with vegetables, salads, desserts, etc. so many options. You are given a seating assignment so we conversed with folks from Denver and California. Funny we go all the way to New Zealand and end up hanging with folks from the US. Finally, you end with the show. It is well done. You get a good variety of battle, love, and storytelling songs. It was an educational and enjoyable experience.

Great place to learn about Maori culture. Highlights & Recommendations for Te Puia:…read more1) NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute (NZMACI) - A fascinating school that allows Maori adult students to study (tuition free) traditional crafts such as wood, stone, and bone carving and weaving, using tradtional methods. This allows the students to perpetuate Maori culture. Recommendation: NZMACI should offer classes (for a fee) for Pākehā (non-Maori people) who could also learn the techniques, and their fees would also help subsidize the school. The classes could range from the full course for NZ residents, to shorter courses for tourists. 2) Geyser- Spectacular! 3) Cultural Show - Interesting, Informative, Entertaining. Recommendation: Do a full Haka, and outside where everyone can see. Also, give a more full explanation of all the parts. 4) Maori Staff - All of the staff were superb! I was with Kia (sp?) and she very patiently answered all my many questions about the Maori language. Recommendations: I would like to have known a little about each Staff member- origin, tribe, etc. 5) Maori Culture- I cannot imagine a better place to learn about Maori culture! Recommendations: I would like to have known more about Maori tattoos - designs, placement, symbolism, etc. It's such a visible part od Maori culture that it should be featured. If it would be offensive to do so, I would withdraw this comment. Overall, and exceptional visit to a very entertaining place. Nga mihi!