Things to do in Rotorua
Immerse yourself in Māori culture and manaakitanga (caring and hospitality) as manuhiri (visitors) have been doing in Rotorua for nearly two centuries.
Explore otherworldly geothermal parks, experience world-class spa and wellness therapies, and wander through the beautiful Whakarewarewa Forest.
Rotorua is home to 18 lakes. It is also a haven for mountain bikers of all levels who travel from around the world to experience the 200km network of gold-level trails.
Enjoy thrilling adventures, create family memories, and explore the many great walking tracks. Relax and refuel at award-winning cafés and restaurants appealing to all tastes and budgets. Choose from a wide range of accommodation options, from 5-star hotel and luxury lodges to bespoke glamping.
Rotorua activities and attractions
You’re never too far from an epic tourist attraction in Rotorua. But there are some activities not to be missed! Here are our top picks:
Relax at Polynesian Spa, Rotorua
Whether you've got cash to splash or the budget's a bit tight, Polynesian Spa has your sort of hot water relaxation. The most cost-effective option here is the Family Pools, where the whole whanau gets in for one low price. At the luxury end of the spectrum, the Retreat Day Spa can pamper you into a state of bliss with mud wraps, massages, facials and Aix therapies.
Explore Te Puia
A day pass for Te Puia lets you explore the geothermal wonders of Whakarewarewa, with or without a local guide. You can also see kiwi in the noctarium, watch Māori carvers and weavers at work, and take a look around a pre-European Māori Village.
Get your thrills at Skyline Rotorua
You'll discover all kinds of fun up Mt Ngongotaha, a volcanic mountain overlooking Rotorua. It all starts with a gondola trip up, then you can choose to ride the best luge tracks in NZ during the day or at night, fly into the sky on the Skyswing or zoom downhill on the ziplines. Skyline Rotorua also has eating places with huge views, wine tasting and a network of mountain biking trails.
Secret Spot Hot Tubs
Reset and recharge at the tranquil Secret Spot Hot Tubs. In your own cedar hot tub surrounded by ferns, overlooking the stunning Whakarewarewa Forest and Puarenga Stream.
Get into hot water at Wai Ariki Hotsprings and Spa
Discover the enchanting Wai Ariki, gracing Lake Rotorua's edge with its 'Chiefly Waters' significance. Two exquisite areas await your exploration, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Culturally curated by Ngāti Whakaue, embrace Māori values in Wai Whakaora's Restorative Journey and Āhuru Mōwai's exclusive tranquil Sanctuary.
Go hiking and boating around Rotorua's lakes
There are 18 beautiful lakes in the Rotorua region for hiking and boating. Here are just a few of them:
Lake Rotorua
This lake is unmissable, because Rotorua city is built around its southern shore. The second largest lake in the North Island, Lake Rotorua is shallow and has many geothermal vents under its surface and around its edges. To appreciate this lake, take a walk around Sulphur Point, catch a cruise on the Lakeland Queen or visit the magical Mokoia Island with Katoa Lake Rotorua.
Lake Tarawera
An exceptional location for photography and fishing, Lake Tarawera has two main walking tracks - one runs from Tarawera Outlet to Humphries Bay; the other links Tarawera Outlet to Falls Track.
Lake Tikitapu
Usually known as 'the Blue Lake', Tikitapu has an easy walking circuit that takes about two hours to complete. The track takes you to a low ridge between the Blue and Green Lakes - from here you can appreciate the striking difference in the lakes' colours.
Hike into the crater of Mt Tarawera
Massive Mount Tarawera dominates many of Rotorua's landscapes and its rift crater has to be seen to be believed. To appreciate the history and geology of this spectacular volcanic mountain, team up with Kaitiaki Tours for a guided hiking experience. The half-day Mt Tarawera Crater Walk is legendary.
Taiao Adventures - Glow Worm Kayak Tour
The amazing Glow Worm Kayak Tour is an evening adventure that takes you along the beautiful shorelines of the Rotorua Lakes in a guided scenic kayak tour during sunset/dusk. Once night sets in you discover hidden small caverns home to galaxies of glow worms, exploring these caves is a once in a lifetime experience. This tour is one of the most unique and magical ways to see New Zealand’s glow worms.
Have a high time with Rotorua Canopy Tours
Rotorua Canopy Tours is in the top 10 activities in the world and where you can launch a forest adventure with an amazing twist. There will be some walking, some swing bridges and a lot of zooming through the air on a zipline. It's an awesome way to explore the forest and get acquainted with native birds. The photo opportunities are larger than life.
Bike or hike through Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest
Just five minutes south from downtown Rotorua, the Whakarewarewa Forest, which was established in 1901 as an experiment to test the suitability of different tree species for commercial planting. Today it's one of Rotorua's top locations for outdoor fun. There's a network of mountain biking and walking tracks through the towering trees and admission is free. There's also a Treewalk attraction that's open day and night and shouldn't be missed!
Getting around in Rotorua
An attractive advantage of getting around Rotorua is that you don’t need to rely on using your own vehicle. You can easily bike, walk, catch a bus, shuttle or ring a taxi.
Travelling by car
Rotorua is fairly easy to navigate. A mostly grid-like layout with wide streets and drive-in parking (no tricky parallel parking, thank you!) in the inner city make getting around a treat. The city is also beautifully planted and maintained so walking from one shop to another is a pleasure. See if you can keep track of the many incredible sculptures along the way.
Parking in the central city
Car parking is available throughout the city. Further information about parking can be found on Rotorua Council website.
Staying in Rotorua
You can visit Rotorua on any budget. There is plenty of accommodation available, everything from pure opulence to basic dorms.
A vast range of accommodation options to choose from including hotels (located in the CBD, or lakeside), motels, bed and breakfasts, luxury lodges, backpackers or consider a new experience of glamping.
Eating out in Rotorua
Four distinct seasons, fertile soils, and mild temperatures mean our region is rich in fruit, vegetables, herbs, lamb, beef, pork and chicken.
This makes for a vibrant and varied array of eateries to choose from in Rotorua. From fine dining, artisan cafés and restaurants, to pub fare, two weekly markets, steambox (meals cooked using natural sources of geothermal steam), hāngī (a traditional Māori underground cooking method), locally brewed craft beer and wine – Rotorua has it all, with a list that continues to grow.
With the bustling hub of Eat Streat and a steady stream of new and innovative cafés and restaurants opening their doors, Rotorua has become a well-known foodie destination with a global smorgasbord of gastronomical delights.
Rotorua history
New Zealand's Māori history is well respected and honoured in Rotorua. A region that's been wowing intrepid tourists since the 1860s.
Rotorua is entertaining in any weather, and at any time of the year. It's is well known for its fascinating historical stories and geothermal phenomena. This area of New Zealand promises to keep you captivated. From bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers and natural hot springs, as well as showcasing of fascinating Māori culture.
Visit Ohinemutu, the original Māori settlement
Before Europeans settled in Rotorua, the lakeside village of Ohinemutu was the main centre. Today the area still has a sense of importance, and it's free to see.
Ohinemutu's most admired building is the beautiful Saint Faith's church. Here, Māori carvings and woven panels mix with European religious traditions to create a unique building. The most photographed feature is the decorative window. It's etched with the image of Jesus Christ wearing a Māori cloak.
How to get to Rotorua
Join a Great Journeys New Zealand tour
Several Great Journeys New Zealand give you the option to travel to Rotorua and stay for a night or two. Explore more on our guided tour pages.
By vehicle
Being centrally located in the North Island, Rotorua is one of the most accessible cities to get to.
Approximate Drive Times to Rotorua from:
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Auckland 3 hours
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Wellington 5 hours 30 mins
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Hamilton 1 hour 30 mins
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Taupo 1 hour
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Tauranga 50 mins
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Napier 2 hours 40 mins
Conversely, once you’re here, you’re never more than an hour from a coastal beach, or an hour or two from lots of interesting cities and towns to visit – making daytrips a breeze! Even Auckland is only three hours away, and our wonderful wine country is just a two and a half hour jaunt
By Air
Air New Zealand services domestic flights to a wide range of destinations around New Zealand, including direct flights from Rotorua to Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch.
For flight information visit Rotorua Airport