Rotorua Tour Review: Wai O Tapu, Redwoods & Secret Spot

Thinking of visiting Rotorua and squeezing in all the amazing sights in just one day? Then you’re just a little like me. Well, the ‘Rotorua Wai O Tapu, Redwoods, and Secret Spot Day Tour’ could be the very thing you are searching for. I went ahead and tried this very tour, so here’s a rundown, a real, in-depth look at what you could possibly expect. So you are not going in blind, I’ll touch on the good stuff and some spots they could improve on, as well as that the goal here is to offer you enough information to decide if this trip aligns well with how you like to travel and experience stuff.

What’s on Offer? Tour Overview

Okay, so what does this tour bring to the table? Basically, this excursion jams three of Rotorua’s most talked-about spots into a single day. This sounds pretty epic, right? It hits Wai-O-Tapu first, a geothermal wonderland filled with bizarre and fascinating natural formations. Then it moves onto the Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest. Imagine wandering through those giant trees! And eventually, it winds down at the Secret Spot Hot Tubs, where, as you might guess, you can unwind in hot tubs surrounded by nature. A nice, soothing end to all the activity, you see. You will also usually get transportation taken care of and a knowledgeable local guide.

It’s very suitable if your goal is to experience quite a bit without having to stress a whole lot about driving yourself around. So the actual draw is managing your time to hit numerous highlights efficiently.

Diving Into Wai-O-Tapu: A Geothermal Wonderland

Wai-O-Tapu is just the first stop, but it does leave quite the impression. So what’s super fascinating is just the sheer variety of geothermal features. The Lady Knox Geyser, it’s almost as though its daily eruption is quite the spectacle, even though you get the idea that it’s started by a little help. Now the Champagne Pool is actually one of the famous scenes here with its bright colors and bubbling surface. Also there are these mud pools that burp, steamy landscapes, and other scenes you possibly won’t see just anywhere.

Spending enough time here, though, is essential, and that can get tricky in a day tour. So you’ll likely move at a quicker pace. But in a way, it does let you get the most important parts. A tiny bit more time for taking photos wouldn’t hurt. The sheer strangeness and scale make it a place that is indeed very memorable, and you may end up recalling the experience even later in life.

Redwoods, Whakarewarewa: A Forest Bath

From steaming, otherworldly scenery to tall, almost silent giants! The Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest, show nature’s extremes. What’s it like? Consider sunlight trickling down through towering California Redwoods. Well the air almost feels fresher. So then there are trails suitable for short strolls or a little longer walks if you feel very inclined. But, honestly, what’s striking here is more the feeling of being dwarfed by nature; it is quite the perspective shift.

On this particular tour, it seems they plan only so much time. This part feels a bit brief, so those seeking a longer trek might want a full day to give this place a good explore. Although it’s still pretty lovely, a little, peaceful break amongst tall trees. In some respects the fresh air and light exercise is going to be much welcome after the previous stop, that for sure!

Secret Spot Hot Tubs: Relax and Refresh

A hot soak awaits as you are ending the day, lucky you! Secret Spot Hot Tubs offer you a perfect and more peaceful change of pace. After taking in the geysers and roaming in the Redwood forest, unwinding in your own wood-fired tub is the ideal way of just loosening your muscles. They set these tubs up in a native bush setting, making you feel like you are out in the wilderness and even if others are there, you are probably alone in the moment, enjoying nature.

This stop may just very well prove to be quite a popular one, with how peaceful and calm the hot tubs and natural backdrop are. It’s very useful for thinking back on all that you saw and also experienced throughout the day. Should you seek a tranquil break to digest the views and insights you just gained, I recommend this experience to just be very ideal. Be aware that you should book your place in the tubs in advance, especially at peak travel times!