Air-conditioned vehicle
Local driver/guide with local knowledge, fun & informative
Pick up: outside passenger exit. Vehicle located to the right with sign: Hell's Gate Experience
Bottled water
Hell's Gate Geothermal Experience & Rotorua Mud Spa 3-hr package
PLEASE CHECK 24 HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE THAT YOUR TIME HAS NOT BEEN AMENDED

Driver Gratuities
Please note lunch is not included in this tour - cafe at venue for your use (within 3-hr window)
No toilet onboard vehicle

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

4 Salisbury Avenue, Mount Maunganui 3116, New Zealand
Departure point is outside the port's main pedestrian gates located on the corner of Salisbury Avenue | The Mall. Your driver will be standing outside the exit or next to the bus, holding a sign: HELL'S GATE or call us

Pickup point

Port of Tauranga Ltd
2 Salisbury Avenue, Mount Maunganui 3116, New Zealand

Start time

10:00 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

The departure point is outside the port's main pedestrian gates located on the corner of Salisbury Avenue | The Mall. Your driver/guide will be standing outside the exit (port gates) or next to the bus, holding a sign: HELL'S GATE If you cannot find our driver/vehicle please pop into the Information Centre ON THE Port near the exit, where you will find our staff at the TTDIT desk or call us

What To Expect

Mount Hot Pools (Pass By)

Mt Maunganui Main Beach (Pass By)

Okere Falls (Pass By)

Hell's Gate Geothermal Reserve & Mud Spa

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

The Old Tauranga Post Office (Pass By)

The Elms (Pass By)

Bay Oval Cricket Ground (Pass By)

Zespri International (Pass By)

Giant Pohutukawa Tree (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

Total duration includes travel time.
Times may vary or alter to suit the arrival of the cruise ship
Gold Qualmark Operator
Full refund if ship doesn't make it into port
Business Name: Things to do in Tauranga (office located inside the port at the Information Centre)
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

18 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 18 reviews

Mud pots

Deborah_M, Mar 2024

Our tour guide Mike, was very friendly!! We were picked up at our cruise ship right on time !! At the geothermal park we were left on our own, no guided tour as expected. The muds pots were good, the sulfur pools were okay also. The experience was fun, but just not as awesome as I expected especially for the price. No water or snack was offered. Had to purchase at the gift shop.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

We're delighted to hear that your overall experience was positive. However, we're genuinely sorry to learn that it didn't meet your expectations, this is not the typical feedback we receive? Regarding the availability of water and snacks, we want to clarify that there was water provided onboard our vehicle for your convenience. As clearly outlined in our literature, this tour does not include snacks or meals. Instead, we make sure to inform our guests that there is a café available at the venue where you can purchase refreshments and food. Once again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

Getting into the mud bath...

Judy_M, Mar 2024

Getting into the mud bath was amazing. Sulphur smell wasn't as bad as I expected. I rented their swimsuit but probably didn't need to. They don't have a big selection available. Also had a nice walk around the geothermal pools.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hi Judy, Great to hear that you had an amazing experience with us! It's wonderful that you found the mud bath enjoyable and the sulphur smell not as strong as anticipated. We're glad you also got to explore and enjoy the geothermal pools, it really is a lovely walk.

Nice and thorough tour

Kelly_B, Mar 2024

Love being driven by a local. Nice insight. Great narrative. Went a bit off beaten path which was appreciated.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you, Kelly, for the excellent review! It's exactly what we were aiming for.

Fun in the Mud

Cynthia_P, Mar 2024

The guide was very funny and informative as well as engaging. The pools and area was very clean and enjoyable.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thanks, Cynthia for taking the time to send us a review - glad you had a good time!

Hell's Gate

Sheree_Z, Mar 2024

Luke our guide in the park. Very Informative. Grant our driver good information. Soaking in the sulfur hot springs.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thanks Sheree for sharing your review, glad you had a great day!

Been to Hells Gate and back

Maureen_S, Feb 2024

Enjoyed this tour our driver was very informative. Nice way to spend the day, very much enjoyed. Driver was Martin, till we meet again

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thanks, Maureen, I will pass on your feedback to Martin. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Fabulous

Mark_C, Feb 2024

Spa and mud bath were fabulous. The driver was great and included stops to see kiwifruit and see white water rafting. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thanks Mark, will pass your review onto our driver. So glad you enjoyed your day.

Playing in the mud

Grahame_B, Feb 2024

Our guide Martin was very informative and accomodating great narrative and knowledge Mud baths were excellent

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thanks Graham, glad you enjoyed your day playing in the mud!!

Great tour!

weiweileehsu, Feb 2024

Mud bath is fabulous! Both my husband and I enjoyed it very much. The guide is very knowledgeable and friendly.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thanks for a prompt review, so glad you enjoyed the experience.

i enjoyed the trip, the...

Paulina_A, Jan 2024

i enjoyed the trip, the driver added extra stops at the end to the redwood forest, kiwi fruit, goverment house/garden. Unfortunetly he had a very thick NZ accent and he was hard to understand, plus we could not hear in the back

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Thank you for the positive feedback! We're delighted that our driver enhanced your tour with additional attractions. In New Zealand, accents can be strong and take some getting used to. Perhaps, for a more engaging conversation, you could consider requesting the driver to speak a bit slower next time, they always try to please!

Not great value for money

Paul_R, Jan 2024

I have done a number of trips with Viator and this wasn’t the best in organisation or value for money. Initially the time was stated as 10:00 and this was changed to 09:15 but if I hadn’t read the email some days before, I would not have known. Even the reminder on the day said 10:00 and as a result, one lady was late. Also, the transport was not where it was stated to be and we had to go looking for it. Should have been straightforward. Thirdly, it was expensive for what it was. I think we paid £122 per person yet it was only £55 to get in and so £67 each to be transported 50k in a group of 18. A bit steep I think. Will continue to use Viator as they are superb but would look elsewhere for this particular trip.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Thank you for your feedback, Paul. We had to adjust the schedule for Sunday since Hell's Gate couldn't accommodate us at our usual 11:00 time slot. Consequently, we aimed for a 09:15 departure, and we made every effort to inform everyone in advance, using various communication channels. Parking was challenging due to the high volume of departing vehicles at that time, and our parking locations were directed by traffic management on the day. A larger bus occupied our usual spot, contributing to the difficulty in locating us. In our email, we included information on where to find our team at the information desk, intending to guide you to the correct location. Regarding pricing, we benchmark our rates against other operators, many of whom charge $300 or more per person for the day. Viator takes a 25% commission along with taxes, influencing our pricing structure to allow for a modest profit. While customers can arrange their own transportation, relying on taxis can be costly and unpredictable, given the varying charges and service reliability in most countries. We appreciate your feedback and will work towards addressing these issues in the future.

Hells Gate - must visit

WAMarinePerth, Jan 2024

The experience at Hells Gate was amazing, the whole place was interesting and what we expected and the mud bath is a must. The tour guide however was inexperienced and made a great day average.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Thank you for sharing your review with us. We appreciate your feedback, and we will take steps to address the tour guide issue to enhance the experience for future travellers.

Nice trip

Dietmar_H, Jan 2024

Excellent tour. Enjoyed the mud and spa. Very nice natural forrest with waterfall. Geothermal activity watch

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Thank you for taking the time to give us a review!

Awesome Hells Gate

Stafford_R, Dec 2023

The driver was Ontime and gave a great tour on the way to the mud baths. The guide at Hells Gate was fantastic. He loves his job and made it very special with his enthusiasm and humor and love for his family and their traditions. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this tour

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thanks, Stafford, was lovely to meet you all yesterday and so glad you enjoyed the Hell's Gate Experience, it's truly unique! Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year :)