Volcano & geothermal tours in New Zealand 2026
Short answer: The best volcano and geothermal tours in New Zealand today (28 October 2026), per person in AUD: the guided Tongariro Alpine Crossing from $359 (or $61 for the return shuttle if you walk it yourself); Mt Tarawera's volcanic crater from $169; Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland and the Lady Knox Geyser from $40; Te Puia's Pōhutu Geyser from $79. Rotorua is the geothermal hub, Tongariro is the volcano hike, and Rangitoto and Akaroa are volcanoes you can kayak to or ride around. Every price here is at or below the operator's own published price.
Updated from our live booking system. Per person, AUD.
Tongariro volcano and geothermal tours
- Best volcano hike
Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Guided Day Walk
From $359 · 8 hours · guided · 20.4km
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing between Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro, past the Red Crater, Emerald Lakes and Blue Lake. A guide, track transport and winter crampons and ice axe are included; no alpine experience needed.
- Cheapest way to do the crossing
Tongariro Alpine Crossing Return Shuttle
From $61 · Return shuttle · hike 6 to 8 hours
Drop-off at the start of the one-way track and pickup at the end, from National Park Village, with four departures a day. You walk it yourself; in winter the operator recommends a guide.
- Easiest volcano walk
Tongariro Half-Day Guided Walk to Soda Springs
From $279 · 4 hours · guided · 10 to 12km
The first stretch of the crossing, out among the volcanoes to the Soda Springs waterfall, on easy gradients. You can upgrade to the full crossing on the day.
Rotorua volcano and geothermal tours
- Stand in a volcanic crater
Mt Tarawera Volcanic Crater, Half-Day Guided Trip
From $169 · 4.5 hours · guided · ages 7+
A 4x4 up Mt Tarawera, which erupted in 1886 and destroyed the Pink and White Terraces, then a guided walk on the rim and an optional run down into the crater. Transport from central Rotorua.
- Colourful pools and a daily geyser
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland & Lady Knox Geyser Entry
From $40 · 1 to 2 hours · self-guided · self-drive
Entry to Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland plus the Lady Knox Geyser presentation at 10:15am. 27 minutes south of Rotorua; last park entry 3pm.
- Biggest geyser
Te Rā Guided Tour of Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, Rotorua
From $79 · 90 minutes · guided
A Māori-guided walk through Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley to Pōhutu, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, plus mud pools and a kiwi enclosure.
- Geothermal walk plus a mud bath
Hell's Gate Geothermal Walk, Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa, Rotorua
From $89 · 3 hours
The Hell's Gate geothermal walk past an active mud volcano and the Southern Hemisphere's largest hot waterfall, then a mud bath and sulphur spa. Free shuttle from central Rotorua.
- Cheapest geothermal walk
Whakarewarewa Geothermal Trails, Rotorua
From $34 · About 1.5 hours · self-guided
Easy trails at Whakarewarewa past steaming lakes, thermal pools and mud pools you can only see from this Māori village.
- The science, with a guide
Whakarewarewa Guided Geothermal Eco Tour, Rotorua
From $59 · 3 hours · guided
Untouched geothermal land at Whakarewarewa, read through Māori knowledge and modern earth science together.
Rotorua from Auckland
- Rotorua as a day trip
Rotorua Geothermal Valley Day Trip from Auckland
From $269 · 9 hours · Auckland CBD pickup
The drive both ways handled, with a 90-minute guided tour of Te Puia's geothermal valley and Pōhutu Geyser in the middle. Needs two people to run.
- Hobbiton and Waiotapu in one day
Hobbiton, Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu Day Tour from Auckland
From $359 · 13 hours · Auckland pickup
Hobbiton in the morning, then Waiotapu's Champagne Pool, mud pools and craters with a guide in the afternoon.
Auckland volcano and geothermal tours
- Climb Auckland's youngest volcano
Rangitoto Island Sunset Sea Kayak, Auckland
From $198 · 7 hours · guided sea kayak · ages 14+
Paddle across the harbour to Rangitoto, hike an hour to the summit for sunset, dinner on the island, then paddle back in the dark.
Canterbury volcano and geothermal tours
- Ride a crater rim
Akaroa Lava Loop E-Bike Crater Ride
From $109 · 2.5 hours · guided e-bike
A pedal-assist mountain bike up and around the extinct volcano crater above Akaroa Harbour.
- Paddle inside an extinct volcano
Akaroa Crater Sea Kayak Safari
From $88 · 2.5 hours · guided sea kayak
The marine reserve in Akaroa Harbour, an extinct volcano, with a nature guide who takes your photos.
- Crater rim walk near Christchurch
Godley Head Crater Rim Half-Day Walk, Christchurch
From $209 · 4 hours · up to 10 guests
Cliff-top trails on the rim of Banks Peninsula's ancient volcanic landscape, 30 minutes from Christchurch, with pickup.
West Coast glacier geology
- Geology and glaciation
Lake Matheson Guided Nature Walk, Fox Glacier
From $97 · 4 hours · guided · easy
Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier, which mirrors Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman, with a guide on the geology and glaciation.
Every volcano and geothermal tour, compared
Cheapest first. Every price is today's live price, per person, at or below the operator's own published price.
Volcano and geothermal tours: your questions
Should I do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing guided or with a shuttle?
A shuttle ($61 return) is the cheapest way: you walk the 20.4km one-way track yourself in 6 to 8 hours and get picked up at the end. A guided crossing ($359) adds a guide who picks the safe route for the day, track transport, and crampons, an ice axe and a helmet in winter, when the operator recommends going with a guide.
Is there an easier Tongariro walk?
Yes. The half-day guided walk ($279) covers 10 to 12km on easy gradients to the Soda Springs waterfall, and you can upgrade to the full crossing on the day if you have the fitness, lunch and water.
Can you go inside a volcano crater in New Zealand?
Yes, on Mt Tarawera near Rotorua. The half-day guided trip ($169) takes a 4x4 to the crater rim, walks it with a guide and includes an optional run down into the crater. Ages 7 and up, with transport from central Rotorua.
What time does the Lady Knox Geyser erupt?
Once a day, in a presentation at 10:15am. Arrive by 9:45am. Waiotapu entry with the geyser is $40; you drive yourself, 27 minutes from Rotorua.
Which Rotorua geothermal park is best?
Waiotapu ($40) for colour and the Lady Knox Geyser, Te Puia ($79) for Pōhutu, the Southern Hemisphere's largest active geyser, with a Māori guide, Hell's Gate ($89) if you want a mud bath too and the Whakarewarewa trails ($34) for the cheapest walk.
Can you do Rotorua as a day trip from Auckland?
Yes: the 9-hour Rotorua geothermal valley day trip from Auckland CBD is $269, with a guided Te Puia tour and the 13-hour Hobbiton and Waiotapu day is $359. Rotorua is about three hours' drive each way.
Can you climb a volcano in Auckland?
Yes. Rangitoto is the largest and youngest of Auckland's volcanoes. The sunset sea kayak trip ($198) paddles you across, hikes an hour to the summit and paddles back after dinner on the island. Minimum age 14.
Is it cheaper to book these tours direct with the operator?
No. Every tour on this page is priced at or below the operator's own published price, in AUD, and books through our live system.