Rotorua City and Lakes Tour by "Duck"

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^$ 50

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Adult (Ages 17+)

Child (Ages 3-16)

Tauranga, New Zealand

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1.75 Hours

Moderate

Shore Excursion with Guaranteed Return to Ship

From (USD)

^$ 50

Rotorua: Get a great overview as your "conducktor" reveals the history of this beautiful city. See Government Gardens, the Rotorua Museum, the Blue Baths, and more, before heading out to the lake country.
Splashdown: You'll cruise on three of the region's most historically significant lakes – Lake Rotorua (with famous Mokoia Island), Lake Tikipaku (Blue Lake), and Lake Okareka, with its abundant bird life. Along the way, you'll get a close look at natural hot springs and other geothermal wonders.
The duck: Ride and cruise in a genuine World War II amphibious landing craft, appropriately painted duck-yellow and equipped with four wheels and a propeller.

Meeting point

Please make your way to 1241 Fenton St, Rotorua to begin your adventure.

Helpful hints

This tour offers independent exploration, giving you maximum flexibility to GoBe whatever and wherever you like and for the amount of time you wish to spend.

Getting around

The amount of walking is at the traveler's discretion while visiting the attraction. Varying surfaces will be encountered during your tour.

Activity type

Scenic, Family Friendly

Transportation used

None.

Tour ID

TR-ANZ-NZL-TAUR-EN-1027

Tour Participation Requirements

Activity Level

This experience is rated moderate. Full participation may require extended periods of walking over even and uneven surfaces, steep terrain and/or water activity in a slight current. There may be steps, inclines, cobblestone surfaces, and extended periods of standing. Participants with physical limitations should take this into account.

Age restrictions

Suitable for all ages.

Why is it called a duck? Because, like its feathery namesake, it's equally at home on land and water. And also because it's easier than saying "dukw" – the official designation used by General Motors when it was building these craft for beach assaults:

D (designed in 1942)

U (utility)

K (all-wheel drive)

W (dual rear axles)

Okay, the K and the W don't make a lot of sense. But then, neither does the duck's evolution from weapon of war to wonderful way to see Rotorua. Can't argue with success, though.

You'll start by getting to know some of the sights of the city, beginning with Government Gardens, where the history, culture, and geothermal wonders of the region get equal attention. There you'll find the Tudor-style building that was home to an elaborate spa and bath house in the early 1900s and now houses the terrific Rotorua Museum.

The land at Government Gardens was once the site of many significant battles between Maori tribes, and includes the 1927 Arawa Soldiers Memorial. The Blue Baths and Polynesian Baths attest to the city's long history as a place to heal and reinvigorate.

You’ll head out to see Mokoia Island, in the middle of Lake Rotorua, setting for the famous Maori love story of Tutanekai and Hinemoa. Next your plunge – a splashdown at Lake Tikitapu, followed by a cruise on Lake Okareka. Then you’ll hit the beach in an amphibious assault, cameras blazing, on a small lakeside town with striking views of Mt. Tarawera.

War may be hell. But war vehicles are a heck of a lot of fun.

Clearing the way for hot tubs

The Blue Baths of Rotorua were opened in the early 1900s as a place to soak in healing waters. In the 1930s, a second building, ornately Mediterranean in design, went up. The new addition became more of a high-society hangout than a healthful immersion in therapeutic pastime, but it was one of the first public facilities in the world to allow men and women to bathe together.

Non-refundable if canceled within 24 hours of requested services.

Rotorua City and Lakes Tour by "Duck"