Visitors walking on Mount Tarawera with a helicopter in the background, New Zealand.
Aerial view of Rotorua's geothermal landscape near Mount Tarawera, New Zealand.
Mount Tarawera aerial view with lush forests and lakes, New Zealand helicopter tour.
Helicopter flying over Mount Tarawera's volcanic landscape, showcasing rugged terrain and crater views.
Helicopter landing on Mount Tarawera crater with tourists exploring volcanic landscape.
Helicopter landing on Mount Tarawera with tourists overlooking a scenic lake view.
Mount Tarawera summit view with person posing by sign, captured during helicopter tour.

Mount Tarawera Guided Tour by Helicopter with Volcanic Walk from Rotorua

Rotorua
Helicopter Tours
Google Verified Seller

Duration: 40 min

Guided tour

Expert local tour guide

Get your booking confirmed instantly

Experience an exhilarating aerial sightseeing adventure with the Mount Tarawera Guided Tour by Helicopter from Rotorua, New Zealand. Soar above stunning geothermal reserves and marvel at national parks, lakes, craters, geysers, hot springs, and lush forests as you explore this volcanic landscape in unparalleled style. This helicopter tour offers a thrilling perspective on the majestic Mount Tarawera and its environs, making it an exciting journey for any traveler seeking adventure above New Zealand's natural wonders.

Experience an memorable journey with the Volcanic Helicopter Tour as you land on Mount Tarawera and head to a guided hike to its summit.

Explore New Zealand’s stunning landscapes during your 40-minute helicopter ride while gaining insights into its rich history, geography, and culture from your guide.

After landing on dormant Mount Tarawera, ascend the mountain for an engaging walk up to the crater-filled summit with spectacular views of the surrounding area.

Discover Rotorua's natural beauty by visiting lush national parks and exploring more attractions in the Lakes District after returning from your helicopter tour.

Did you know? The eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886 is believed to have destroyed the ‘Pink and White Terraces,’ but recent investigations suggest they might be hidden under a nearby lake.

Admission includes a 40-minute guided tour.

Access is provided for aerial sightseeing over the Waimangu geothermal reserve through a helicopter ride.

Entry covers a guided walk up to Mount Tarawera’s summit.

Individual Costs

Trip Coverage

Visitors walking on Mount Tarawera with a helicopter in the background, New Zealand.

Visitors walking on Mount Tarawera with a helicopter in the background, New Zealand.

Your Experience

The Volcanic Helicopter Tour over Mount Tarawera offers an unparalleled adventure as you soar above New Zealand's most fascinating geothermal landscapes. Strapping in, you're set for a thrilling journey that showcases the massive volcano and its steamy surroundings from high above.

Helicopter Ride Over Geothermal Reserves

This tour takes you over Rotorua’s stunning national parks and the picturesque Lakes District to explore impressive volcanoes. With your eyes peeled, spot craters, geysers, and hot springs at Waimangu while contrasting lush forests with urban landscapes unfold below. The guide provides fascinating commentary that uncovers the region's layered history, tribal culture, and unique geography.

Walking Tour Up Mount Tarawera

Your adventure continues as you arrive on Mount Tarawera to take in its stunning surroundings. Guided up to the summit, explore the volcano’s cavernous crater, with a major highlight being sliding down scree—a path of broken rock fragments along cliffsides. Capture panoramic views of volcanic landscapes flanked by crater lakes before returning to your helicopter for a flight back over Rotorua.

Aerial view of Rotorua's geothermal landscape near Mount Tarawera, New Zealand.

Aerial view of Rotorua's geothermal landscape near Mount Tarawera, New Zealand.

Mount Tarawera aerial view with lush forests and lakes, New Zealand helicopter tour.

Mount Tarawera aerial view with lush forests and lakes, New Zealand helicopter tour.

Helicopter flying over Mount Tarawera's volcanic landscape, showcasing rugged terrain and crater views.

Helicopter flying over Mount Tarawera's volcanic landscape, showcasing rugged terrain and crater views.

Mount Tarawera Guided Tour by Helicopter with Volcanic Walk from Rotorua

Experience New Zealand's awe-inspiring vistas on this 4-hour guided excursion, which includes a helicopter flight over the highlights of Rotorua and concludes with an invigorating hike to Mount Tarawera’s summit. The journey spans roughly 150 kilometers and encompasses renowned landmarks like Lake Tarawera, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, and adjacent national parks teeming with lush landscapes. Conducted in English, audio guides are also available in Mandarin and Japanese for a more inclusive experience. Suitable for all ages but ideal for those comfortable walking moderate distances, this tour takes you through the scenic lakes, forests, and volcanic terrain of Rotorua.

Explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley's Unique Features

Your journey includes an exploration stop at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, home to Earth’s youngest geothermal system. Formed in 1904 following the catastrophic Tarawera eruption of 1886, this expansive valley covers over 250 acres and boasts remarkable natural phenomena such as Frying Pan Lake—the world's largest hot spring lake spanning approximately 3 hectares—and Inferno Crater Lake, renowned for its vibrant color shifts. Visitors spend about an hour discovering these intriguing features while gaining historical insights from expert guides on the valley’s creation and importance. Its relatively young age and active geological changes make it distinct among New Zealand's geothermal sites, offering vital understanding of volcanic activity and ecosystem impacts.

Tour Highlights

Enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over Rotorua landmarks followed by a 40-minute aerial journey with stunning panoramic views. The tour provides audio guides in multiple languages including English, Mandarin, Japanese, and more for an enriching experience. Participants will head to a guided trek to Mount Tarawera’s summit to witness stunning crater vistas, explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley's geothermal wonders, stroll along the tranquil waters of Lake Tarawera, and venture into Rotorua National Park’s verdant forests and trails. The tour is conveniently arranged with transportation from central Rotorua included.

Perfectly suited for nature enthusiasts, thrill-seekers, and history buffs, this guided adventure offers a comprehensive exploration of New Zealand's natural marvels through both aerial perspectives and ground-level experiences. Within the 4-hour duration, you'll soar above Lake Tarawera, ascend Mount Tarawera’s peak, and delve into Waimangu Volcanic Valley’s excellent geothermal features, gaining unique insights into volcanic history while savoring its stunning landscapes.

Helicopter landing on Mount Tarawera crater with tourists exploring volcanic landscape.

Helicopter landing on Mount Tarawera crater with tourists exploring volcanic landscape.

Helicopter landing on Mount Tarawera with tourists overlooking a scenic lake view.

Helicopter landing on Mount Tarawera with tourists overlooking a scenic lake view.

Book your spot at least a day in advance during peak season to ensure availability for this popular tour.

If you're visiting multiple attractions around Rotorua, start with the helicopter landing site on Mount Tarawera and then explore nearby landmarks like Lake Tarawera or Waimangu geothermal reserve.

Customer Reviews

Discover what our customers are saying about their experiences

4.3

Loading reviews...

5
-
4
-
3
-
2
-
1
-

By proceeding with any booking via Staybook, you acknowledge and agree to adhere to all the .

FAQs

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours.
The tour is conducted in English.
Yes, there is a guided walk up to Mount Tarawera’s summit as part of the tour.
Yes, the explosion of Mount Tarawera in 1886 destroyed the ‘Pink and White Terraces,’ but recent investigations suggest they may be buried under a nearby lake.
Personal expenses are not included in the tour package. Travel insurance is also excluded.
Highlights include a scenic flight over Rotorua’s attractions, landing on Mount Tarawera for an exhilarating trek to its summit, and aerial sightseeing over Waimangu geothermal reserve via helicopter.
You'll be able to gaze upon picturesque landscapes of national parks, the Lakes District, impressive volcanoes in Rotorua, craters, geysers, and hot springs at Waimangu.
The package includes a 40-minute guided helicopter flight, aerial sightseeing over Waimangu geothermal reserve, and a guided walk to the summit of Mount Tarawera.
This adventure covers approximately 150 kilometers, including notable landmarks such as Lake Tarawera and Waimangu Volcanic Valley.
The helicopter ride includes insights from the guide on New Zealand’s history, geography, and tribal culture.

You might also like ...

Explore more experiences in Rotorua.

From
32,647per person
1

Were Online

How may

Why travellers trust Staybook

We've served 50 million+ guests and are here to serve you better

Premium support, curated experiences, and trusted reviews so every trip feels effortless.

Guests hosted
50 million+

Happy travellers across 12,000+ carefully curated experiences worldwide.

In the media
Featured brands

Recognised and recommended by leading travel and lifestyle publishers.

Support
24×7 help center

Live chat with local experts before, during, and after your experience.