65 bucks and you get given keys to a Suzuki Jimny. Which is surprisingly capable and now I want one. They guide you through the course over radio as you go. It's very non intrusive and they really just let you experience it. Highly highly recommended.

What an amazing experience, we did the Monster 4x4 Thrill Ride and wished it was longer, the adrenalin rush up and through the bushes was deff an unforgettable experience. Team were very helpful and accommodating with our person in a wheelchair, he absolutely loved it and would highly recommend to anyone wanting to experience this type of activity. Gutted we couldnt take photos during the experience but would deff be back.

Amazing self drive 4x4 experience. Great track through native bush. A couple of really challenging obstacles to tackle. These little Suzuki’s are more capable than they look. The perfect boys weekend challenge.

Ian, Brandon, and the team were awesome. Loved my time on the karts. Very hospitable and encouraged me through my race times. Very good karts, epic track. I'll be back!

Great place, great activities, great staff. Could not recommend it more. Self drive was super fun with lots of obstacles that the whole group enjoyed tackling. 4WS 4WD was great fun also, great guide that made sure everyone was able to enjoy it despite back injuries. Managed to do some clay bird shooting as well which was also great fun.

I last came here 20 years ago, so it was awesome to bring the whole family to experience the thrill. We did the 4WD Bush Safari, where an instructor will guide you through the course with detailed instructions. It was so much fun for everyone. There are opportunities to change Drivers throughout the course

A great experience all round. 10 minutes just isn't enough, though. Only just getting the feel of the place and the karts, then it's time to go. It's a stretch to drive all the way out there for a 10 min drive. Service and management was impeccable!

I loved the park because of its variety of display. You can see different animals with little descriptions about them. Water splash is very entertaining for adults and kids. And my favorite, I got a chance to see Kiwi birds. Wasn't so happy that, I admit it was my mistake, to accept the offer of seeing the park myself, by the cashier lady, rather than having a guide . Few spots were closed for public and that was also not mentioned when purchasing ticket.

Definitely recommend going on the free guided tour if its your first time as you learn so much and is quite interesting. They have play areas and interactive learning spots located throughout to keep the kids busy on the way through. The big splash ride was cool but all the speakers throughout no longer worked which was very disappointing. The cafe was average tidy and nicely decorated but bathrooms were not cleaned often enough and the food was overpriced and just okay. They offer free shows through out the days which are quite interesting and fun for the kids.

This place is lush, a little paradise with tones of things for a family to see and do. I added on the hatchery tour and was not disappointed, we got to see two eggs ready to hatch, one had its little beak poking back and forth out of a small opening that it hd already made. This can take up to 5 days to fully hatch. Then we went through another room and they had a baby kiwi, held by one of the staff behind the glass, with another keeper feeding him meat. The most adorable thing ever. We then went through the enclosure to the darker area where there were three separated adult kiwis, moving about searching for insects. Fantastic. I then proceded to walk around to see the birds and eptile areas, it was a good display and the animals did not dissapoint. They have a cafe and gift shop and also very modern and clean looking toilets which is always a pleasent treat.

Awesome wildlife park in Rotorua with some unique features. The walk through the redwoods, aviaries and trout pools is the same as it ever was. They have added 'playscapes' along the way which is great to keep kids busy with physical activities and hands-on games. There's also an area with various water experiments to keep little minds busy. The jewel in the crown is, of course, the kiwi house where you can learn about the national bird and eventually (hopefully) see some for real in the nocturnal house. Beyond this there is a playground (currently undergoing refurbishment but still a small area to play in) and the 'Big Splash' ride by the cafe which is doesn't cost any extra but is looking a bit tired - the drop at the end is still a thrill tho.

Fun for the whole family. Some cheeky wee birds and relaxed reptiles. The waterfall makes for great photos. We managed to get a glimpse of the kiwi too.

A really lovely animal park, with an unmissable tour of the kiwi hatching centre. The information signs for each animal were much more fun and engaging than your typical animal park/zoo, which was good. We also enjoyed the (short but sweet) bird show and the log flume ride very much too. You'd be hard pushed to spend more than 3 hours here, but in that time there is plenty to keep you occupied! If my review and photos were helpful to you, please give me a thumbs up 👍🏼 Thanks!

Beautiful small scale nature park. Great way to kill a few hours touring NZ. The kiwi encounter was very informative, however make note that you are not permitted to take photos or record video in the hatchery. If you are hoping to get a photo of the iconic bird live, you will not be able to. The additional cost you pay for this tour supports the program and sustainablity of the brown kiwi population.

No matter what I write, I won’t be able to truly express how much I enjoyed being here. This place is a cultural institute, school, and mini village dedicated to introducing visitors to the Māori people — the indigenous people of New Zealand. It’s a large venue that requires prior booking. The staff warmly welcome you and explain the Māori culture, followed by a traditional performance featuring expressive movements and chanting that carry deep meaning. Then, the team takes you on a tour near the hot volcanic rocks, ending with a luxurious international buffet dinner that includes all types of meats, chicken, seafood, desserts, and ice cream. This center is considered one of the top tourist attractions when visiting Rotorua.

This was an experience of a lifetime. We started being greeted by the chief in a traditional Māori custom. We then ventured off to learn more about their culture, ancestry and ways of living. It was very hands on allowing guests to participate in their martial arts and other activities. The best part of this was after when the family who runs Te Pa Tu entertained us singing and dancing the Haka and other traditional songs. Their passion for their culture is immediately shown and is beautiful to witness. Afterwards, we were treated to a feast - which was no joke. They say they’ll feed you a lot which is an understatement. This was a FEAST with many appetizers, three meats, a variety of sides and an array of dessert. As someone who is a foodie, even I couldn’t keep up. I did have dietary restrictions of no seafood or pork which were happily accommodated by the staff an really only covered a small portion of what was offered. We booked the tour for 7:30pm and got back at 11pm. It was a really late night for us. This is a not-to-miss attraction. It was the best thing I’ve done in New Zealand hands down and one of the top travel moments I’ve ever had. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

This was an amazing experience! A great introduction to Maori culture and history. They make it a fun process and include guests in the experience. From the time they picked us up on the bus to the drop off, it was high energy and a great time! Thank you Sam for starting it off and to Dennis for finishing it on a high point!!! Great performers! Amazing voices! All the performers did a great job but the family with Emerson, Elisa, their brother and uncle were so strong together.... beautiful!!! The food was wonderful!!! Plenty to eat, great variety and beautifully presented! My whole family loved it! Would do this again for sure! Well worth the money!!!!

I have had the absolute joy of experiencing Te Pā Tū twice. The first time, I thought it to be so good, that I planned my family vacation around coming back, so that they too, could bare witness to Te Pā Tū's incredible performances, games and kai (food). The passion of the staff and artists is infectious and I found myself grinning ear to ear both times. Te Pā Tū feels like a big family that welcome you with open arms. I very much enjoyed participating in traditional Māori games and it was wonderful to see everyone get involved. Big Baz, you are a talented musician, people should pay just to simply hear you sing. Tiaana, as always, thank you for being a wonderful host. I count down the days until I am back on the doorsteps of Te Pā Tū. Kia ora!

We were picked up from our hotel by a shuttle and then continued by bus to the Maori village. We were welcomed with a ceremony. There were various stations where we spent 10-15 minutes learning about Maori culture. There were also canapés, which were very tasty. After finishing the stations, we were led to a foyer with a small stage. The things we learned at the stations were presented by our hosts in the "right way". The Haka was incredibly captivating. It's amazing how strong and overwhelming individual voices can be. Afterwards, we were invited to take our seats in a large hall and were served dinner. We were entertained very nicely at the end, with our hosts singing songs from different countries. A truly unforgettable experience. It was one of the best cultural experiences we've ever had. A must-do when visiting Rotorua. A truly enriching experience for broadening your horizons about other cultures.

This establishment offers a wonderful immersion into Maori culture, and the extended family here is exceptionally welcoming and kind. It is an excellent venue to experience the Maori way of life, including their customs, entertainment, and cuisine. The dinner, in particular, is outstanding.

Great experience! A open culture that is willing to teach patiently and kindly. We loved all of it. The performances were powerful and you could feel the emotion of their words. Food was amazing! Lots of it too! THE ONLY THING NEGATIVE id say is do not buy the wine package!! We paid $65 per person for the wine pass, but staff have to many people to serve so you end up paying that for 1 glass of wine that is not worth that much. Because there is no indication we bought the wine package, we got a bill for our drinks at the end that was $90. I explained we purchased the package and so they didn’t charge again but $90 for all of us was a lot cheaper then the package we bought.

Te Puia is an absolutely stunning and fascinating place — the geothermal landscape, the geysers, and the deep Māori heritage make it truly unique and worth visiting. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the cultural spirit of the place is unmistakable. However, the guided tour was quite disappointing. It felt overly long and slow-paced — 90 minutes, with at least half of that time spent standing around without much happening. While I fully understand that the tour is an important source of income for the Māori community, visitors also value their time and expect an engaging, well-structured experience. Several people in our group clearly lost interest, which is unfortunate because Te Puia has so much to offer. Suggested improvements: • Shorten the tour to 45–60 minutes, focusing on the most interesting and meaningful parts. • Add more interactive or live elements — demonstrations, Q&A sessions, brief performances, or moments for guests to engage directly. • Consider offering two options: a standard tour and a premium cultural experience, so guests can choose the depth they want. • Train guides to keep the storytelling dynamic, with more energy and interaction. The place itself is extraordinary — it just deserves a tour program that matches its beauty and cultural significance. With a few thoughtful changes, Te Puia could easily become one of the most memorable experiences in New Zealand.

What an amazing experience! Our tour guide Hunter was fantastic and shared loads of interesting information about his people and culture. It was so good to see the arts institute and the people keeping Maori culture alive. The geysers also put on a spectacular show for us, going off multiple times while we were there. We also got to see some Kiwis for the first time! Then in the evening, the buffet was great, especially the Hangi cooked food! Then the cultural performance at the end was incredible. Well worth the money as we had a blast for several hours! Ka pai!

An absolutely amazing and informative day! As two uk tourists who had never been to a geothermal area, and had only been in NZ for 3 weeks, this was the perfect place to learn about the geothermal activity in the area and how the people there view it. We did the Tuku Iho trail, which was a perfect length of time, we saw everything and getting to eat the sweetcorn cooked in the hot pool was definitely one of the best parts. Paul our tour guide was so great, obviously very passionate and knowledgeable, chatted with us while we walked between sites, and really clear with his descriptions. It’s quite a lot of walking and not too much stopping (although we stopped by the hot pool while cooking/eating for 30 mins, and you could’ve sat for 15 mins while we watched the geysers), so be aware if walking for most of 3 hours would be too much for you. Overall, an amazing day! Would recommend to anyone wanting to see the geothermal stuff as well as learning from someone who’s connected to the area. The park itself is great, lots of info boards to read. The arts building is definitely worth a visit, it’s interesting to learn how their arts are made and to see the culture being supported with new apprentices all the time. Also a great gift shop if that’s something you like! We saw the geysers errupting and the mud pools bubbling away so can’t complain. Not too busy in the park - end of November when we visited.

A truely wonderful experience and a must for visitors to not only Rotorua but to New Zealand and the magnificent islands. The beauty is how New Zealand has embraced the Māori culture and rich history. This experience includes everything from traditional dancing show to seeing the springs to a lovely buffet dinner. The attraction is only a 5 minute drive from town centre so is easy to reach, but make sure you book tickets in advance! Enjoy

This is a must do if you visit Rotorua. From understanding Māori traditions, craft education, geothermal geysers, and kiwi conservation through to a fantastic cultural experience with song, dance and a haka. And yes if you are lucky you will get to see one of the kiwi birds in their nocturnal house. Our guide Ngahuia was excellent and was passionate about telling her tribe and ancestors story. A fantastic couple of hours. Highly recommend a visit and make sure you book tickets in advance and ones that include the cultural performances. Afterwards we visited the Pataki Kai cafe for a panini and drinks. Nice end to the visit.

This experience was fantastic. We did the Te Po combo. The guided tour through the school was so much more than I thought it would be. I learned a lot and I love the idea behind the school. Its such a lovely concept. The dinner was also great. I wasnt expecting much but the food options were plentiful and everything was so delicious. Cultural performance was stunning and fun and beautiful all at the same time. Seeing the geyser at night was beautiful. So peaceful and pretty. I highly recommend doing this option and taking in all the culture and history. Everyone who works at Te Puia is very passionate about their Mouri heritage. Thank you

This was an excellent 2-hour combo experience, which consisted of 3 parts: Māori arts and craft (with an introduction to the different schools and art forms), the valley of the geysers, and the dance performance. We also got to see a kiwi! It was well paced. Informative. The show was spectacular and we had wonderful views of the geysers. Also, the shop had the best NZ souvenir selection we saw in New Zealand.

Great guide. She really brought the village to life with stories of her family and showing off the culinary skills of her people. Very friendly and wonderful town. Saw geysers, hot springs, and bubbling mud

I’m so glad I made time to do this and I highly recommend anyone going to give yourself a couple hours, buy the all day pass, and time it so you are there for their daily cultural performance at 12:30. It was worth every penny. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly and the performance and tour exceeded my expectations. Our guide, Daniel, was very patient and thoughtful. He made an effort to learn everyone’s name and took the time to genuinely try to teach us about the history, the culture, and the language. Huge thanks to everyone involved!

It is the legacy and home of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, who have been sharing their unique way of life with visitors from all around the world for over two hundred years. The village is open 7 days a week with guided tours. We signed on to one of the paid tours though we had to contend with a slight drizzle. The tour is comprehensive lasting about an hour and half and goes through the village people's fascinating daily life in the geothermal springs area. It includes the bathing, washing, herb cultivation, cooking and walking past their homes. We ate corn cooked in steam for few minutes. It tasted yummy. The historical chief's home and meeting place are well preserved and interesting to see. Sometimes you can watch a cultural show by the village people. The active geysers in the area can be seen during the tour. Toilets available. Very popular place, lots of tourists and locals. Uneven terrain, lot of walking. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Parking at the entrance is ample and is easy to find. There are many stores in the village selling craftwork items. Friendly staff and great service.

It was a rainy and cold day in Rotorua but it did not stop me from my very first “Maori experience”. It was very cultural and unique place to visit for tourists. The chief guided us through the village. She did it with all her hearts and respect to her culture. We really appreciated the visiting session. We also booked the Haka show and it was very emotional and worthwhile. The artists performed wholeheartedly and the audience can definitely feel it. I highly recommend taking the tour to understand more about the Maori cultures while you are in New Zealand.

Attended a great guided tour through the Maori village yesterday. Very interesting to know that inviting people to the village and showing them their way of living goes back to hundreds of years and is not only a modern tourist attraction. A fantastic opportunity to learn and get a deeper insight from a Maori herself. Didn't get to see the dance but I enjoyed the corn very much. Thank you!

Excellent experience walking around the living village with our knowledgeable guide Wawi. He shared so much of his experience and knowledge even my young ones are highly engaged. It was perfect length for our family with young children and we got to see plentiful pools and geyser eruption. Would highly recommend this for family with little ones!

Amazing experience and great way to learn more about Maori culture and history. Our guide Kylie was very knowledgeable. The cultural experience was a highlight. Highly recommend in you are in Rotorua.

Absolutely stunning experience! Walking high among the giant redwoods felt peaceful and surreal. The forest smells amazing, and the views from the bridges are beautiful. I went for the night walk — the lights and soft music made it feel magical, almost cinematic. It’s a bit pricey for the length of the walk, but totally worth it for the atmosphere and photos.

The hiking trip was a great experience, made even better by the clear and easy-to-follow signage along the trails. The signs not only guided the way but also provided a range of walking options with different time durations, making it convenient to choose a route that suited our pace and preference. The variety ensured that both casual walkers and more seasoned hikers could enjoy the area comfortably.

We went just after a coupe of days of non-stop rain and personally was worried it will be ruined but found it just as exiting and quite fresh and alive due to the rain. Well worth the visit and highly recommended, even our 4 year old really enjoyed it.

There are several trails to select from. We walked the Green Trail which is a 5k loop. There are steps to get to the scenic overlook, but not too difficult. Throughout there are benches to rest and enjoy the peaceful forest. The trek is all about the towering Redwoods and worth the excursion.

We loved walking through the forest in the late afternoon with the sun piercing through. There was hardly anybody in the forest. Make sure to visit the creek, its stunning! Ample parking nearby and great signage so it’s hard to get lost!

Google Maps Review (short version): ⭐ 5.0 — “A magical forest that comes alive at night.” When darkness falls, the forest doesn’t sleep — it glows. Hundreds of gentle lights shimmer among the redwoods and ferns, turning the night into pure enchantment. Absolutely unforgettable experience. 🌌

We just did the half hour red route after doing the tree walk. Well worth strolling past the giant trees, there is a small rise, but all easy well marked trail: nothing too strenuous.

Friendly encounter with Courtney fox. She gave out the instructions clear and was accomodating. No wait time when we visited during the weekend to get the permit to Visit the Tarawera Falls

I am a regular user for permit to Tarawera Falls. As the Falls road is closed Mon-Friday I can only bring tourists on the weekend. I would like to buy the permit and pay into your account ONLINE. The I Site open hours are too restrictive because you close at 1300. Thank you Geoff ARDEN HYBRID TOURS

What a super tidy friendly place young ladyTanaya gave me good info and directions to the falls was easy as. 👍

Very helpful and polite to deal with. Have me all the information I needed and the facilities were nice and clean. Stop in and say hi if your in the area and looking for activities to do, it's worth your time

Went to the falls today and the lady who got me my permit (i think her name was Tania) was really friendly, helpful, informative and most importantly very enthusiastic about Kawerau with a big smile on her face. A credit to the visitor centre.

A great beautiful small town. Although we were there to visit the Tawerau Falls, we ended up walking around and having a great meal at Town and Country Food cafe. Would recommend this place

We would like to commend Eunice at the Kawerau I-site for her helpful manner when she assisted us with info on Kawerau's wonderful motorhome facilities - Good sized/well marked parking spots; free 3 day access to electricity points (and a good number of these); lovely location, especially at Firmin Park where we decided to stay; great walking paths along the Tarawera River bank. We visited the town around Waitangi Day and attended the celebrations in town. A visit to your free swimming pool, including a hot pool, was a great bonus. Nice to see it is free for residents too. The District Council is very far sighted, justifying a tourist detour on the traditional way up from BOP to Rotorua. Eunice has a great attitude and presents a very positive image for Kawerau. We must come back and add a visit to the Tarawera Falls! Kind regards and thanks, Stuart and Trudi Harrison NZ citizens/NZMCA members

A must-see experience! A beautiful walk through nature’s wonders — from emerald green to sky-blue pools, steaming geysers, and bubbling hot water you can actually feel beside the path. The smell of sulfur is strong, but it’s all part of the incredible experience. Absolutely worth it!

Lucky for beautiful spring weather and early morning small crowd. Lovely moderate hike down to the boat dock with multiple documented view points of the steaming vents and springs in the valley along the way. Peaceful yet awesome views of what the 1883 eruptions did to the original valley and lakes and the vegetation that repopulated the valley. Ryan gave us a great commentary and boat viewing tour of the crater lake and its steaming vents - a must do to add to the hike. Bus options for those not up to the full hike.

It was an absolutely amazing experience. The walk with multiple viewing points and their relevance and history was brilliant to learn. The boat ride was so informative and a delightful experience. Staff were supportive, informative, and helpful.

Fascinating and beautiful. Well organised. Great staff. Do all 3 walks (only about a relatively easy 3.6k) and the boat trip to complete the experience with a close up view of a geyser in action. A fabulous half day. Don't miss it.

The lake cruise is so worth it! Absolutely stunning being out on the water. The walk to the lake was also amazing - stunning landscapes and scenery all throughout.

Really interesting site. Walking involved...but not strenuous. There are 3 trails to walk...choose one to your abilities.

Fascinating walk down the volcanic valley. The guide had a great overview of the area and the history and pointed out the different fauna and flora as well as the details of the volcano and its history. The return journey was by bus which was great as it would have been a steep climb back to the visitor centre.

Beautiful spot. Amazing thermal pools with adjoining campground. Daily charge includes access to pools - multiple times if desired.

Really cool to see the origin spring and amazing atmosphere to relax and try out the different temperatures of the six pools 🥰 make sure you do as the signs say: never go in alone and stay hydrated! we made a drinking pause several times but after we were there the whole afternoon we had a bit of circulation problems, so maybe it wasn't enough 🫠 but apart from that we had a great time there and really enjoyed it - glad that we did it and would definitely recommend it 😊👍🏻

We visited several hot pools on our trek North and Waikite Valley was the hottest and the most "natural" in it's relationship to the environment. A very pleasant stay and a bargain at $79 for a powered site and all the hot soaks you could wish for

An absolute must place to visit, lovely hot pools and a variety of temperatures. Another must is to walk up the track, 10 minutes to see the source of the boiling water 98 degrees.

I’ve been here several times and usually had good experiences, but today was really disappointing. The water was really dirty and disgusting, and although the staff kept checking the temperature, they never seemed to notice or address the cleanliness. On top of that, a group of people were speaking loudly and being disruptive the whole time, yet no staff member stepped in to manage it. Compared to another famous hot pool, which often has even more travelers and even large tour groups, the water there is always ok, and staff will remind guests to keep noise down if needed. This pool itself is good, but the management has some serious issues to improve. Also, there are only two shower rooms in the ladies’ area, which means you often have to wait outside. That’s really inconvenient and wired design.

Very disappointing 3 pools available 2 are knee deep and the last one is waist high. Pools are very dirty. Don't waste your time going.

Breathtaking atmosphere and warm spring water, what more could you want.. event though It was a rainy day on a weekday, there were still quite a few people came 11am onwards. Lockers are easy to use, and the cafe seemed nice. Will be back for sure 😊

Well, it was nice to see but it was definitely nothing too special; it's a man-made phenomenon that requires the personnel to activate the geyser and the eruption only lasts for a minute or two. Whilst it's a decent place to visit if you happen to be there at 1015am, it's definitely not worth making an early trip to wait for it

It's about a half hour from Rotorua. It's free and quite a memorable experience. We were wondering how the geyser follows a perfect schedule of 10:15. If you see the video below you'll see it's because they add soap to the geyser. The whole thing lasts about 3 minutes. The staff are very entertaining. Their song is very beautiful. Worth watching if you're in Rotorua.

Our guide who presented the geyser was very interactive. Sang wonderfully and really added to the experience. Unfortunately as it was quite a cold day the geyser produced a lot of steam obscuring the view. I'd recommend visiting on a warm day if able!

Beautiful experience with plenty of seating and parking. We bought tickets but no one seemed to check them? The geyser goes off at 10:15am every day because they induce it with adding soap to the opening. A lady who is the granddaughter of the Maori chief sang a song whilst it erupted and provided a wealth of information on the history of the area. I highly recommend this for everyone if they come to Rotarua.

The geyser was a pretty good experience and the song was amazing from the wahine who sang while the geyser erupted. The best part was seeing all the volcanic lakes a pools, do not miss this.

The show starts at 10.15am and they advise to arrive by 9.45am, which we did. We were advised to drive back up the road to the Lady Knox Geyser for the show first then come back to the main entrance for Wai-O-Tapu and purchase tickets afterwards. The benches can be wet when it's cold. The show lasts around 10 mins.

A fun, quick show. Be sure to get there early, it got fairly crowded for us.

This place was a fun and unique experience! We did the 45-minute hike, which was manageable and enjoyable. Just be aware of the strong sulfur smell coming from the volcano—it’s quite pungent and smells like rotten eggs. I recommend bringing a mask or face covering to help with the odor. The volcanic smoke was fascinating to see, and the bright yellow color of the rocks from the sulfur made the landscape feel almost otherworldly. Definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for something different!

A fantastic place you’ll never forget once you’ve been. I walked the longest path along geothermal fields, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls — and it was an absolutely breathtaking experience. The colors shift like in a fairy tale, warmth gives way to a cool breeze, and at some point you stop understanding whether this is real or a dream gifted to us by nature itself! ❤️

Nice thermal fields with good paths. The short loop shows you all the highlights and can be covered in an hour and a half. There are colorful pools and lots of steam craters. Price is a bit high at 50 NZD. Big tour groups come here but they pass by quick.

Amazing, beautiful place and if you go you should definitely try to time it so you can see the Lady Knox geyser at 10:15 each morning. The team working this venue were all very very friendly. I’m sure anyone who’s seen Yellowstone in the US may not be too impressed but I haven’t seen Yellowstone and I was very impressed by this place. Apparently the largest caldera in southern hemisphere.

An intriguing experience, was a little disappointed with our early walks, as there seemed to be limited water in some of the pools and the colours were very dull. As the sun came out later, and nearing the end, the colours were spectacular. Some of the walks were quite challenging but achievable and worth the effort to do them all.

We started our visit to the park with the Lady Knox Geyser experience. Although it was extremely crowded — to the point where it was difficult to walk — it was still wonderful to watch the geyser eruption accompanied by the Māori song performed by the local guide. We really enjoyed the rest of the park as well; discovering the geothermal history of this part of the planet was incredibly interesting. The staff were very kind and welcoming. We recommend visiting early in the morning, as it fills up quickly with tourists.

Very nice place with lots of color! I felt the colors were way more impressive on some hikes (eg tongariro alpine crossing), but it does represent a great option to see some geothermal colors and formations!

Amazing place! This is the only geothermal park where dogs are allowed (on a leash only). It is a self-guided walk that is approximately 2 km, accessible via a short 2-minute boat trip. The price is very fair.

A well structured board walk experience after a small boat ride to the geo-thermal area across a small water area. The majority of the walk is on formed timber walkways and has handrails in place. There are also a couple of areas on small sections of earth walkways. Total walk time is about 90 mins. All of our group (3 family members) were happy we attended. Staff on-site were very friendly and helpful.

This was such a cool stop. We had already been to some geothermal areas so I wasnt sure how different this would be. It was stunning! The trails were lovely and an easy walk. You can go at your own pace. The boat takes you to and from the island on demand. We left and were picked up within minutes. Bring water because it is warmer than youd think walking around the trails, even on a cooler day. I heard about this place on the radio and Im so glad we added it to our drive.

We loved this. It's a journey somewhat. Once you park you can buy a ticket and then immediately proceed to the boat landing. This will take you across a very small lake to the walkway. The paths are very well kept. The geological items consist of mud pits, geysers, boiling water, flows, and quite a bit of foliage. Highly recommend, a full loop will take something like 90 to 120 minutes if you go slow, it's not super huge.

A truly stunning and unique place! Beautifully set up with wooden walkways that guide you through fascinating volcanic activity — bubbling mud pools, steaming sulphur baths, colorful mineral deposits, and even small glaciers. The whole area feels alive with color and energy. The experience starts with a short boat ride across the lake — the only way to reach the park. It’s such a special way to begin the visit, and we were the only ones on the boat, which made it feel even more peaceful and exclusive. Once you’ve bought your ticket, you can take the boat across at your own pace. When you’re done exploring, just ring the bell on the other side, and the boat comes to pick you up again. The walk itself takes about 1.5 hours and is easy to follow, but the best part is how quiet it is. We saw maybe 20 people in total and spent most of the time completely on our own. A magical and unforgettable experience — highly recommended!

Absolutely incredible place that simply begs to be visited in New Zealand. Here, geothermal fields and mountains feel like nature’s own spells — impossible to forget and impossible to resist. Bubbling mud pools wink at you playfully, warm rivers glide past like silky ribbons, and the quiet caves wrap you in an embrace so gentle and deep that a part of you happily stays there forever. ❤️

An excellent collection of geothermal features surrounded by lovely woodland, and in an attractive valley. The very short shuttle ferry across the lake runs on demand and takes no time. Staffed today by two enthusiastic and friendly guys. Respectable food available for a quick lunch. Relatively quiet on the Sunday in November when we visited, this place deserves to be more popular.

This one of the many geothermal features in around Taupo. The walk around the park should take less than an hour and you can see multiple fumeroles and bubbling mud puddles. The path is well marked and of course you should obey the signage because there is a real danger of scalding or worse if you go into a dangerous area. The smell of sulphur is at times pretty strong but by the end you should be used to it!

Misplaced name unless the Moon is full of green shrubs. But an interesting stop. Seeing a lanscape with steam vents coming out of the ground and gurgling mud-pools. An easy 1hr walk around the park. At $10 certainly value for money.

Wow! What a natural sight that I have ever seen. For only NZ$10 you get to walk about 45 minutes or more of this incredible sight of nature. Fantastic!!!

Cool to see the craters and walk between the steam but not as stunning as we expected it to be - we liked the thermal walk in Tūrangi definitely more and that’s for free 😅 The area doesn't look like a moon landscape anymore with at least a bit of vegetation growing almost everywhere but still a nice experience and for $10 pp it's ok (except you are afraid of bees and similar insects, than this is not for you cause in some parts of the path they are flying around a lot 😅) The basic round with the little shorter lookout up the hill took us a bit over an hour, included taking some pictures :)

You get to witness beautiful scenery at budget friendly price. The walk it about 45 minutes take you through steaming vent and resilience biodiversity. Features catch your attention are bubbling crater, hissing fumaroles and steaming vent. Stroller friendly walk. Surely feels like you are on another planet.

Take a stroll in amazing landscape amongst the steam vents. 45 - 60 minutes. Have lunch on the picnic tables beside the car park.

Awesome craters. Loved the contrast? with green and the craters. Priceless scenery for 10$ ❤️

We ordered 500g of prawns. Please be aware it is not enough for 2 people, so please order other food as well. Food was good overall and staff were friendly and professional. It was not busy when we visited, but there are plenty of seats to house loads of people.

All the staff members were friendly and attentive, which made our visit even more enjoyable. The prawns were perfectly cooked and practically melted in our mouths. The pita garlic bread was definitely a standout for me, and the salad with its well-balanced dressing was absolutely spot on.

Parts under construction yet enough to keep ine busy. Family did the tour and spoke well of the experience. Did grab a coffee but no food. Coffee was good. Activities were plenty and a good variety. Take the togs with from the start 😀.

Prawns aren't fresh, garlic and butter Prawns has a weird taste. Hot chips really good. We didn't get water for our table, used to go here a faws time and service really good but not the same

Was skeptical about the prawns, oh how wrong I was.... They were cooked to perfection, half cooked with garlic butter OMG. Staff super friendly place is super clean and tidy. Clean toilets 👌

Ordered the 110, 1kg platter. Close to 40 percent of the prawns were soggy and not firm. A sign of not the freshest specimen. The prawn fishing were great years ago, now operating in their breeding pond shed. Handful of prawns in each pool. Hardly anyone caught any while we were there . Compare to before its now steps backwards. For the price they charge for the experience, Its a rip off.

Service is excellent. This restaurant is set by the river side and have a good view. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. There is a photo spot as well as a hot foot bath. The waiter had a bright smile and was friendly. Will come round to check on our dining experience and ask how he could make it better. The prawns were fresh and juicy. The garlic butter was great! The prawns here have a large head and small body so the meaty portion can be small. We love the garlic pita bread! The prawn bisque is rich, creamy and prawny. Fish and chips were fried crisp and light. The batter is not too thick so you can taste the sweetness of the fish. The brownie is very rich. The chocolate explosion cake is spongy and moist. It’s a pity that it lacks the chocolaty taste. Else the paring is great! Since the food, ambience and service are all great! I would highly recommend this place!

We filmed the rapid from both ends then spliced it together. It was a great sight to see the dam release. Hope you enjoy it.

These are an area of New Zealand river rapids downstream from the dam for the Aratiatia Power Station on the Waikato River. The rapids are extremely dangerous. With the station in operation, several times a day, the Aratiatia dam gates are opened, which restores the rapids to their normal operation. There are several lookout points to observe the rapids which is a popular tourist attraction. Advisable to go early to avoid crowds and the heat as well. Uneven terrain, lot of walking. Toilets available. Cafe available. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Beautiful place. Lots to see. Parking space is that easy to find in parking area.

A piece of advice: Show up early. The bridge and the view points can get very busy and, although it wasn't true during my visit, I can only assume parking can also be difficult during the peak tourist season. With that said, this is a great stop on the way to any number of other sites or activities in the area and it's pretty amazing to witness the landscape change once the doors are opened.

A fantastic morning watching the release of the the gates to let some water out and down the rapids and rocks They release it 3 times a day. It’s such a sight to see and the water is so green.a car park and this is also where you can go jet boating and dam cruise. A must see. It’s free to watch the release and alarms go off.

It's not really a natural wonder it's actually the runout after a dam. We were lucky enough to catch them opening this. If you are on your way on a scenic drive, it's worth the 15 minute stop.

Be sure to carefully check the time and location (and give yourself an extra 15–20 minutes) so you can walk to the next viewpoint after the first parking spot, because it offers the best views in both directions.

Freedom camping is allowed in self-contained vehicle across the damn with cafe selling nice coffee beside the carpark with awesome view in the evening.

Small apartment just a short walk from the town centre and right across from the lake. Parking is included in the accommodation price, literally right in front of the door. Clean and comfortable. Equipped with air conditioning and heating, as well as a cooktop for preparing meals or breakfast. Quite expensive (NZD 288), but we happened to be there at the end of July, coinciding with some local events.

Great stay!! Loved our room and the location is right next to the lake and city center. The room was nice and warm and the jet spa was sooo relaxing. Check in and out was a breeze and the fresh towels and clean room to come back to was so nice after a long day. Highly recommend will be booking again in the future 😁

My Husband and I stayed here for two nights during Kings birthday weekend. This location is great if you want to be close to town, everything is within walking distance, and a stroll along the lake front is recommended. Our room was ready before the check-in time and check-in was superfast. We were on the second floor and the view from our balcony, of the lake and mountains in the background, was beautiful. Parking was ample for our large vehicle (Ford Ranger) and nice and close to our room. The room was spacious and clean, very comfortable for us. The weather was a bit cool but the heat pump in the room warmed us up nicely. The shower was lovely and hot with great pressure. The beds were nice and comfortable too. Even though the location is close to town we barely noticed the noise. The only downside was that one of the vehicles in the parking area was broken into. There was no sign of tampering on our vehicle though. This is a fantastic motel and excellent location, we will definitely book here in the future.

We stayed in room 5. Loved how clean and tidy units are and nice to have fresh milk. Loved having a spa bath, shower head is very low but great water pressure. Again nice to have hairdryer and toiletries. Parking on site and just can't short walk to town. Would we come back....hell yes.

We had a great experience at the Great Lake Motel Taupo, with a location that cannot be beat. Easy walkable access to restaurants around, as well as the lake itself. The room was very clean, with a lovely (bubble) bath as well. The service and staff was excellent. The motel has its own parking as well, which is convenient as the area can get busy with people parking to go to the lake.

We have stayed here many times. Found it met all our needs. Change of management, and we felt like we were staying in a place we did not recognize. On going to our room upstairs, and looking toward the end of the walkway instead of a view of the lake, we were faced with a drying rack with work clothes on it. Our family room ( the only room available) was very basic and un loved. It needed care. Ants were evident. Tho' someone came and attended to them. The shower with a dome smelt so moldy that it made us gag when we used it. It needed a good clean. Went out for dinner and on returning faced with bras and pants drying on a chair by the stairs. It's such a shame as it used to be our fav place to stay as it is so close to restaurants and town.

Stayed recently for 2 nights - one at the beginning and at the end of the week, so had 2 different rooms. The first room had a quite uncomfortable bed however on the second night in a different room the bed was much improved. Pretty basic motel but very clean and tidy. Not enough power points for chargers though. No mention of continental breakfast as in our booking confirmation. Check out time was 10am but wifi turned off at 9am surprisingly. Can’t fault location. Very short walk to town.

I always come here when need a hot soak whether In the in the public pool (with family and friends) or in the private pools (when i want to get away from crowds) I always enjoy swimming in the Tokaanu hot pools, they have pools of varying heat 🥵 from warm to scalding hot 🔥 for everyone.

The private pool here is an amazing experience of natural hot springs — as if the earth itself is whispering warmth into your skin, wrapping you in a quiet, blissful embrace. ❤️

Great walk around the thermal area before a soak in a private pool. The infrastructure is a little dated, and the stoney pathway into the main pool was a bit sharp on bare feet.

The worst hot pools in New Zealand 💩 We bought 4 tickets to the private pool and paid 56$ for a room with a small pool and no shower. The place clearly needs a cleanup - there were hair and dirt in the water, and overall the place didn’t look clean. The staff didn’t tell us how much time we have, and there were no signs (including in the private pool room) how much time you can spend in the private pool. No clocks either - you MUST feel the time I guess. The announcement about the timing was absolutely unclear - we couldn’t understand a word. And when we are about to leave, a very rude lady knocked at the door and yelled at us that we are 20 mins over our time, and that people are waiting (why she didn’t come early or when our time was up??? - I have no idea). She was SO UNPROFESSIONAL! She requested me to leave the room now (I was almost naked and covered only with a towel) and change in my clothes in the toilet. I was almost kicked out of the room. That was the most terrible service I have ever had in New Zealand. I don’t recommend this place and never want to visit it again.

Arrived 4pm on a cold, overcast Friday, paid for a private pool. The staff are friendly  polite, and there were quite a few people coming for a swim/soak. Reception area looks inviting, well kept, tidy and modern. Would be good if they are able to freshen up the private pools as paint is peeling, and mirror tarnished so not visually appealing. Having said that, the price is relevant to condition of the private pool. We really enjoyed our soak. 25 minutes was perfect. Thanks

A beautiful spot beside the river, surrounded by mud pools and hot springs. Extremely friendly people and beautiful private pools filled with water heated naturally underground. Be sure to check out the easy little walk around the mud pools next door, and stretch out after a private soak in the main public pool. It's a little slice of Aotearoa's own heaven

Lovely staff, clean private pool, and beautiful walk nearby. 20 minutes was plenty, and the staff gave us a reminder over the loud speaker so it was easy to know when our time was up.

Nice place but doesn't open on time. We went there at 10 am but no one there.

Great place to visit learn about volcanic eruptions

Fantastic service, saved us over $500 in rental fares and found other transport options for us. Thank you very much for your help and can definitely recommend their service. :)

I called in for information on bike trails. Both ladies were helpful. I did the Marton Sash and door, which was recommended by 1 lady, and it was great. I would use again if I was down that way again.

Friendly helpful staff. Plenty of information available on local attractions. Some nice merchandise available. We did not do the Volcano Activity as it was a bit expensive for us.

I've been here asking information about shuttles to move within the area, and I may say the lady attending was not very nice. She seems to be annoyed because of my english accent (I'm not native speaker), no effort at all to understand. It seems more than 2 questions is too much for this lady, even if there was no other visitors around. Someone may speak with this lady to be more friendly with people who travel from thousands of kms away and don't know the area and how to move. Maybe she should learn any other language too, to understand why people have different accent when talking no native language.

Rude, patronising and unhelpful staff. Unsure whether it was our accent or young age that brought about her complete change in tone after pleasantly serving the two people before us.

We went on Sunday afternoon with a big group of 15. It was quiet which was nice, the museum and aquarium was cool. There is lots to see while you walk around

Set in lovely Native bush setting includes an easy bush walk with views of rainbow trout in their natural settings. Very helpful staff, although I didn't go into the centre ($22 an adult) due to time constraints. Car park is locked at 4.00

Did the kids fishing package-$60 which was good fun and they prepped and smoked the small fish the kids caught which was tasty. $22 entry fee per adult however which I find overpriced as there isn't a huge amount to do here unless your watching your kids fish. Friendly staff.

Tongariro National Trout Centre is a worthwhile stop, especially for families with kids. It is located 3 km from Turangi town centre along the Tongariro River. It could also be a refreshing stop for nature lovers and curious minds as well. It offers a fascinating glimpse into New Zealand’s freshwater ecology, with native fish displays and a well-curated aquarium featuring species like Giant Kokopu and Koaro. The hatchery tour and museum provide insight into the history of trout fishing in the region, making it both educational and engaging. Kids especially love the fishing pond, where they can catch and even smoke their own rainbow trout, an experience that’s both memorable and delicious. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the riverside walk adds a peaceful touch to the visit.

The trout are numerous (like thousands!!). It's fun watching the kids fish and actually catch them with the instructors, natural setting, and BUY the fish food on entry. $5 per bag but what happens when you feed the wild trout is a lot of fun. We should have bought at least 3 bags (1 each). For fantastic photography and video, have one person feed the trout from the platform whilst another watches through underwater viewing area. They are HUGE and go crazy .... brilliant!!

Great place to bring the kids for a bit of education in aquatic life. It's not very big but you could easily spend an hour or so here. Highly recommend getting some fish feed - the trouts seem to love them. The aquarium section is small but filled with native fish which is nice to see. Definitely pay it a visit if you're around the area.

Went there for the school holiday program - fishing: from providing all the tools to smoking the fish for you It was great and the advice on fishing was easy to understand for kids. There were a few places to explore at the center as well. Would recommend spending 1-2 hours there

The water is absolutely stunning and super safe for walking around. It’s nice and shallow, making it perfect for a refreshing summer swim! 🤩 Getting there is a breeze, so no worries about tough hikes or anything. If you’re looking for a fun spot to chill this summer, I definitely recommend checking it out!

Fairly easy and quick hike with a few washouts on the way, but possible to walk around them, there are clear paths made by other walkers. However, once you reach the stream, then bouldering on slippery rocks or crossing through the stream barefoot is needed to reach the waterfall. I would say definitely worth it if you are willing to do the bouldering/stream crossing to get to the waterfall, but if not, then this hike is not worth it, the view from afar is not very impressive.

Came here after finishing the waikaremoana great walk - best waterfall I've seen in NZ! The path is a bit dangerous (lots of slips and thorns), you will need to climb over fallen trees. Took 1 hour walk from car. No one there so got to skinny dip :D

A very special place, but I can also see why the track is closed. There are very fresh washouts since the last big rainfalls of winter, gets dangerous and very steep at times so don’t go during or after rainfall and consider taking a PLB with you. Would not recommend to a new hiker.

Spectacular waterfall that flows over towering sandstone cliffs into a small pool. The track to Shine Falls starts in open grassy farmland that meanders under towering sandstone and limestone cliffs then passes through a patch of native bush in the Boundary Stream Scenic Reserve before arriving at the falls where there is a swimming hole and picnic tables. Stunning spot to go for a walk or even a swim if you are brave.

An amazing magical place, a relatively easy walk in, allow 30-45 minutes. A little steep in places, so ensure you have good walking footwear. The waterfall is impressive at 58 metres high, the pool is refreshing and safe, however deep around the edges and near and behind the fall. There's sheltered picnic tables at the car park and a long drop toilet (bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer). Also recommend you take your own drinking water and food/snacks and take all your rubbish out with you. The road there once off the highway is mostly gravel and narrow in places. Drive safely and enjoy. No overnight camping allowed.

Wonderful walk in the countryside where you can see limestone and Sandstone cliffs, grazing sheep, bush and waterfalls. While you travel over unsealed road for about 6kms to get there, it is totally worth it. Be wary there may be prickles on the path in places and if its a hot day, take a sunhat and your water bottle

Second visit there. Took my grandson for a few days recently. A campsite with simple but sufficient facilities. An absolutely idyllic environment. The team gives you the freedom to feel like you're in your own backyard but are there to assist and respond to any enquiries. Will return again and again. 😊

Excellent stay. Very friendly , and excellent amenities. We will definitely be back.

Fantastic stay here for Christmas. Thank you so much! Shane and Fay are lovely hosts and so hard working, even on Christmas Day! One of the fridges packed up an was replaced within an hour or so on Christmas Day - a testament to how attentive and hardworking they are. We will definitely be back in a hurry. The beach was beautiful and the facilities were awesome and cleaned every day, there was even a bait freezer available for use! Showers were great, $1 for hot as clearly advertised on booking, but we mainly had cold which was good for us in the heat. Thanks again, what a gem of a spot!!

First time staying here and the owners made us feel very welcome. Facilities were cleaned daily and the owners were very onto fixing issues - broken fridge was replaced within an hour, and on Xmas day! Camp store had some good essential items plus the usual treats. Thanks again team, we had an awesome Christmas stay!

Classic kiwi camping ground. Not oversized or overstated. Loads of extra parking as we had 2 vehicals and could use the free space on site to park instead of cramming vehicals onto our tent site. Priced very fair we thought. Good amenities. Great hosts. Kids could simply roam the camp and play without concern which is great for parents. Short 300-400m walk to a great beach and lagoon(lagoon is excellent for smaller children or simply as change from the ocean). Hope to go back next year.

Great location. Owners are really friendly, even during the very busy times. Facilities are good and clean. Pitches are various sizes, so if you have a big tent or van, check ahead. Christmas and New Year are very popular with regulars, so I suggest you book early and aim for mid Jan. There are some nice short (3-4km) walks with great views close by. The beach is great, but you need to use your brain and stay between the flags so the surf life savers can keep an eye on you.

The place is so BEAUTIFUL! It's private and safe for kids to run freely. The communal facilities and grounds were well kept... Clean and tidy. The staff are friendly and approachable and the locals make you feel very welcomed too! We stayed during wet weather but still managed to have a great time! Would definitely stay again. Thanks guys!!!

Walked up to bluff hill lookout - mainly road until the last part. About 100m total climb which wasn’t too bad - not many steps. Views are really good nice peaceful at the top sitting on a bench enjoying the sun

I love this place because of the view to the sea. Bluff hill is right on the edge of a cliff, below is the a road and opposite is Napier Port. For me it's beautiful throughout the day, but its more beautiful in early morning or just before sunset. There are benches there and toilets for the public. Some people walk their dogs with leash. Also it has a clear view of ships coming in and out of the port. If you ever come across Napier or just passing through, take a break and visit this place.

It offers spectacular views over Hawke Bay and Napier Port. The viewing area was constructed over the top of a World War II coastal defence gun emplacement. You can walk up to the top or take the car. Lots of bends and slow driving. It takes about 20 minutes to get there by car. No entry fee. Toilets available. Mostly open area. Parking is not that easy. Beautiful place. Lots to see. Great place for photography. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Popular place, go early to avoid the heat as well.

Be aware that the Seapoint Road is pretty steep and narrow, so definitely not to recommend for bigger vehicles - take the Thompson Road! But you have a really nice view of the ocean and the area is beautiful designed with flowers and benches to sit 🥰 I personally just didn't like the port in the view...

Steep drive up but really nice view. Well kept but lots of views seem cut off and fenced off. The drive up is a very narrow street and I dreaded any oncoming traffic on the way up or down

The Bluff Hill Lookout is a great place to go to enjoy the views out across the port and harbour, especially on a sunny day. There is plenty of parking at the top. Also has some nice gardens and a public toilet.

Another beautiful lookout point in Napier. View of the port and more. Peaceful and quiet , just right for us away from the crowds

We visited for a wine tasting on Thursday and were presented with four different types to choose from. I selected one to start with, and after tasting it, I wanted to try another. Unfortunately, I was told that only one type is allowed per tasting session, and if I wanted to try more, I’d have to go into the restaurant and order a glass. Since my companion was tied up with a long online meeting, I had to give up on the idea. The setting was beautiful and the pricing very reasonable, but the inflexible policy was a bit disappointing.

We got to see The Mission cellar door while we were visiting friends who had just moved to Napier, as part of a wine tour with Frankly Tours (see other review). We did the tour on a Sunday, hoping that the cellar doors would be open, and we were not disappointed. The Mission was our first stop, and what a starter! Fantastic venue and atmosphere, just stunning on the hill. 5 wines tasted from their extensive range, starting with their bubbles. We were given plenty of time to browse the historic photos and artifacts after the wine tasting session. Tour guide was the most knowledgeable of the 3 by far that we met on the day tour, and I think we chatted so much with Q&A that we kind of ran out of time. Absolutely no pressure to buy any of the wines, and indeed we were back on our tour bus before we realised we had not had the chance to purchase LOL. Beyond the wine production the venue and location itself is obviously a major part of their business set up, simple stunning. Recommend you ask for this "cellar door" specifically on any wine tour in Napier.

Beautiful spot, great wines and wonderful history made for a stunning start to our wine discovery. Self guided tasting so you do not feel rushed but stuff there to help out if and when needed. When back for seconds. Also we'll priced celler door wines for sale.

Magic place with incredibly tasty wine, we loved our stop at Mission Estate. Our server was very nice. We went for the aromatic self guided tasting and what a blast ! We ended up by buying four bottles. You should really include Mission Estate in your winery tour !

Well worth the detour. We did some tasting followed by a cheese platter. Yvonne was warm and super knowledgeable - not only about the wine and heritage but also the region. Highly recommended!

Lovely food and staff. Would have been 5 star but a bit odd in their rules on one paddle per person seeing the amount of wine choice’s and how much time and money we spent in the restaurant. The “can’t be in the grass” with the tasting paddle also very odd and comes across as uninviting. They were reasonable at accommodating to food intolerances.

I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for the exceptional dining experience at Mission Winery Restaurant. From the moment I stepped in, I was captivated by the ambiance and warmth of the place. However, what truly stole the show was the extraordinary culinary journey orchestrated by the talented chef.The steaks, in particular, were a revelation. Cooked to a perfect medium rare, each bite was a symphony of flavors and textures, a testament to the chef's mastery in the kitchen. It's not an exaggeration to say that it was one of the best steak experiences I've ever had.The attention to detail and dedication to quality were evident in every dish served. Beyond the remarkable food, the service was impeccable, adding to the overall charm of the evening.I am genuinely grateful for the memorable dining experience at Mission Winery Restaurant and eagerly look forward to returning to savor more of the culinary delights crafted with such care and passion.

Small but friendly and full of information. This is the place to go to find out things locally and nationally. Especially good for visitors. You can also find an array of souvenirs and goods for purchase. Definitely worth a visit, especially if you're new to town, situated on the Marine Parade next to the Sound Shell.

Very specious place to have your family dine out. Very busy with lots of cruise tourists and locals but you will be served without a delay by its friendly staff.

Met Peter one of the visitor advisor. Very knowledgeable and gave excellent suggestion of ta mata peak on the way to Wellington. Would recommend heading to the visitor centre for all the best places to go in Hawkes bay

Napier is an amazing place. We loved it. The Art Deco architecture lends a real 1920's feel to a vibrant, friendly town. Beautiful. The Hawkes Bay express is an absolute must for anyone visiting. So much history and Will knows everyone and everything. Simply brilliant.

Friendly staff and knowledgeable, they tell you where you can go and see places of interest and supply a map for you to get around.

Heaps of helpful info. Loved our day in Napier, highly recommend hiring an electric scooter and finding the ocean murals all around town. This one was my fav.

They have information and maps for all the happenings in Hawkes Bay. The staff are knowledgeable and very helpful. They also have a good range of souvenirs.

A very well kept and satisfying place to visit. Always love seeing fish in their natural habitat, plenty of fresh water and salt water aquariums. A wide variety of areas to go, easily walkable, cafe and gift shop there as well. Was surprised there were no sharks in the tunnel area though. Still plenty of different species of fish, turtles, stingrays, crayfish, penguins, frogs, lizards, etc. The turtle was very big, did keep bumping his nose on the glass though. Otherwise the turtle seemed okay.

Loved the experience! We were able to see the penguin being fed and fishes being fed by divers. It was a small aquarium and not complete. We were expecting octopus, squid or baby sharks but maybe the ecosystem of the water is not suitable for those. I'm prolly just dreaming. Lol. But I was happy with the stingrays! Too bad we were not able to see kiwis 😭

Exceptional visit here as we booked very early in advance to do the penguin feeding which is limited to a group of 4 a day only. Staff at penguin feeding were very informative and friendly and great hosts to help us feed the penguins. Penguins were our favourite exhibition. The big turtle was great. Kiwi Exhibition was great to see them walking around active. 2pm feeding time in the big tank was also a great watch especially the stingrays.

A nice little experience. We even watched the penguin feeding. It is all more personal in this smaller aquarium. Everything is really clean and you get to see a lot of sea animals, reptils and even Kiwis! One of our favourite experiences was the aquarium tunnel you can walk trough! Loved it!

A very well maintained aquarium near to Napier CBD, there are some shows for the audience which is great to watch and the one for penguin feeding was very informative. Kids love it and will be revising in the future...

Aquarium is tidy, love the turtles! The large turtle would be cool in the big enclosure so you could follow him around but I'm sure he's not for a reason.. probably would eat all the fish! Lady on the front with the stunning red hair was great today, knowledgeable and easy to talk to. Customer service like that is hard to come by these days! So cheers! Sorry I didn't get your name!

Very kid friendly and has wheelchair access. However, the value for money is quite $$ for a short encounter with the sea animals. Although, we had the chance to watch the staff feed them. It was still a good experience 😊

What a lovely experience we had today at Trinity Hill Winery. We had family staying with us for the weekend, and Trinity Hill was the first winery we visited. We were attentively looked after by Chris and Brooklyn, we ordered some flights and a cheese board platter which included local cheeses, our experience was enhanced so much more by our hosts, who’s knowledge of their wines was shared and much appreciated. We would highly recommend a visit to any one visiting Hawke’s Bay.

Nice place to visit; probably one of the best wine tasting experience in Hawkes Bay. A large vineyard and a large seating space outdoors. We went for wine tasting and the whole paddle was served at once. Amazing garlic bread as well. For non-wine drinkers, they have a few options of pale ale and non alcoholic ones.

We got to visit Trinity Hills Cellar Door while we were visiting friends who had just moved to Napier, as part of a wine tour with Frankly Tours (see other review). We did the tour on a Sunday, hoping that the cellar doors would be open, and we were not disappointed. Trinity Hills was our 2nd stop and a very different feel and flavour from The Mission where we went first. A modern take on wine production was highlighted here with the gravel grown wines being their USP. The building itself is an architectural wonder of a beast, and the fell of the place a lot more industrial and 'in production'. The young wine tour guide was (by his own admission) quite new to the game, but his knowledge was very capable for our levels and tases and very entertaining. 7 wines tasted from 3 3 ranges of wines range, starting with lighter whites and finishing with reds. These were chosen based on our preferences during our chat and not a 'set menu' as we have seen with other places. Purchasing here was very low-key, but simple as retails is set up where you can just pick up bottles from the shelves in the room, all clearly marked and priced. The venue itself is setup as a cafe bistro with quite an extensive menu which we didn't try on this tour), so i could see this being a good weekend afternoon lunch/wine spot with friends on our next visit.

If you're in the Hawkes Bay or just travelling through the Trinity Hill winery is a must visit. We loved the hospitable and informative staff, the superb wine tasting options, delicious platters (we had the Terrine board, perfect for two, be fine for three). The couches are super lush and comfortable if you're lucky enough to get them! If you buy a bottle of wine the tasting becomes free - can't get a better deal than this! Would definitely recommend as a winery worth checking out. Wheelchair and dog friendly.

On arrival at Trinity Hill wines we were immediately set at ease as Chris and his team made light of our unfamiliarity with there tasting system. From then on he looked after us as if we were the only people there, we weren't and he regularly checked up on all the other punters very professional. He quickly assessed my wine experience and tailored the wine tasting to reflect that. Chris is very knowledgeable about his wines, experienced in the wine industry generally and easy to get along with. I had great time and thoroughly recommend going for a tasting at Trinity Hills winery Cheers Andrew Gradisen

Absolutely OUTSTANDING service and knowledge from Brooklyn our server at this winery. We stopped in to buy a bottle, next thing we’re doing tastings and hear ALL about the blends and styles. A cheese platter on board, music playing, great vibes. A cruisy way to spend a Hawkes Bay weekend in an iconic winery. #trinityhillswinery

We stopped by late in the afternoon for a wine tasting. The venue has a lovely outdoor setting and cellar door. The manager Chris made us feel welcome and comfortable with his great service and honest candour. We especially enjoyed the Syrah tasting. Their Gimblett gravels syrah is one to try!

I had a great time at Sileni the other day. By some luck, I managed to get the place to myself on a gorgeous, sunny day. I kept saying that it felt so luxurious to be sipping wine out in the gorgeous outdoor space with the whole patio to myself. Antonio went above and beyond to make the experience special, and I really enjoyed trying all the wines and discussing various aspects of wine making. The wine tasting is also good value for money, at a slightly lower cost than others I've been to in NZ. Thanks for a great visit!

We love this winery, so much so we found a stockist in Bakewell, UK to enjoy it year round. My husband and I started our wine tour at Sileni and was treated to a range of beautiful wines and staff explained the wine in person (not just on a piece of paper like others on the tour). It was personable, and he knew answers to all our questions. Loved every minute, thank you Sileni!

Very nice winery with a great host who made our visit interesting and tasty. The venue is amazingly large and has a shop to buy everything from cheese knifes, to cheese to glassware.

Wonderful hospitality with a wonderful wine tasting very professional stuff a lot of interesting wine types. We just love it.

Amazing experience! My husband and I did the wine tasting here and had the deli platter to complement it. Everything was so tasty. I especially liked the Savignon Blanc and the Semillon but what made this a 5 star spot was the service. Chris was our server and he had such passion for wine making. We learned a lot from him and it just overall made our experience so pleasant. Be sure to pop by! Only $10 for the wine tasting and the cheese and meat board was $45. You bet that we bought some wine for the family back home!

This place is amazing. The wines are unique & beautiful and the host help with a passion. If you like wine, this is not to be missed. Thanks to Lee and the chef who makes the platters.

Amazing afternoon High Tea. Beautiful set up and amazing catering supplied by Picinic in Ahuriri. Definitely recommend this event. And dont forget the wine. Perfect as always. A big thatnk you to the fabulous friendly staff.