As Queenstown is the South Island’s adventure capital, Rotorua is definitely the North Island’s equivalent, with the added bonus of geothermal activity and a strong connection to its Maori cultural roots.
Growing up in the North Island, I can’t tell you where I first visited, but it’s a place we regularly holiday to, and it’s still a favorite with locals and overseas visitors alike, thanks to all the action in Rotorua.
There are so many great places to visit in Rotorua, and even though I’ve been there countless times over the years, I can always find something new to do!
These are the top things to do in Rotorua and the top Rotorua attractions you should plan to visit during your stay.
Rotorua skyline
Rotorua skyline Includes a range of activities in the hills behind Rotorua. I’ve been going here since I was a kid and it’s still one of my favorite places in NZ!
Hop on a cable car and head up the hill for stunning views of the city and Lake Rotorua. From there, you can zipline, mountain bike, walk nature trails or enjoy a glass of wine, food and views.
But by far my favorite thing to do is sledding! I honestly don’t know why this hasn’t caught on in other parts of the world.
Basically, you sit on a black, sled-like cart with bicycle-like handlebars, winding your way along a track on the side of a mountain. It’s hard to explain, but it’s great!
white water rafting
The Kaituna River is rated V for whitewater rafting, thanks in large part to two large waterfalls, one of which at 7 meters is the tallest commercial rafting waterfall in the world.
I can’t say it’s my dream thing, but because it’s our Honeymoon in New Zealandmy husband convinced me to give it a try.
It’s scary, but exhilarating and amazing at the same time!we went together Guardian Adventures Our guides were great throughout the trip. highly recommended!
explore geothermal areas
The first thing you’ll notice about Rotorua is the smell…
Due to the geothermal activity in the area, the smell of sulfur is strong in the city.
There are many different geothermal areas to explore, where you can see geysers shooting into the sky, naturally formed springs and pools, and Mars-like landscapes with hot steam pouring into the air from vents.
Some options include Kuirau Park, Te Puia, Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Hell’s Gate Thermal Park. They all offer something different.
we really enjoy visiting Water-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderlandabout half an hour’s drive from the city.
The Champagne Pool, with turquoise water bordered by flaming orange rocks, is definitely a sight to behold!
Check out one of Rotorua’s geothermal attractions here
Maori village and show
Rotorua is a great place to learn more about New Zealand’s indigenous Maori people and their culture.
It’s something I grew up with and even participated in Maori cultural group performances at school, I forgot how amazing it is for tourists to gain insight into a culture they may not have known before.
There are several Maori villages where you can visit, learn about culture and traditions, enjoy food and cultural performances.
Lake Rotorua Adventure
When you’re in Rotorua, don’t overlook the activities on the lake.
Lakeland Queen is a steam paddle cruiser offering daily breakfast, lunch or coffee cruises around the lake.
There are also stand-up paddle board and kayak tours.
Sequoias in Whakare Werewa Forest
The Whakarewarewa Forest is home to an abundance of towering California coastal redwoods, surrounded by beautiful walking trails and some of the best mountain biking trails in the country.
The Tarawera eruption also destroyed the forest, although native New Zealand trees were planted which can take around 200-300 years to mature, so much faster growing redwoods were also used.
While you’re free to roam the forest trails, there’s also the Redwood Walk, where you can walk along suspension bridges and platforms between the trees. We love doing it! Keep an eye out for tickets that get you both daytime and nighttime experiences.
buried village
Te Wairoa, or buried villageis the most visited archaeological site in New Zealand.
Located close to the shores of Lake Tarawera, a 20-minute drive from Rotorua, it was once a thriving community that saw many tourists head to the Pink and White Terraces, It is a natural wonder similar to Pammukale in Turkey today.
Tragically, both were destroyed and buried when Tarawera erupted in 1886.
The village was later excavated, giving insight into life in New Zealand at the time.
The beautiful green and blue lakes nearby are also worth a visit.
Spa and Pool
While the pools in many geothermal areas are too hot to swim in, there are also designated hot spring pools and free natural hot springs where you can enjoy thermal water.
Kuirau Park and Kerosene Creek are places where you can soak your feet and swim for free (only where there are instructions!!!), but there are Polynesian Spa On the shores of Lake Rotorua.
We loved relaxing in the natural pool at the end of the day with a view of the lake.
Speed Valley Adventure Park
Want to try bungee jumping, jet boating or swinging? Head to Speed Valley Adventure Park. They offer six different speed-related adrenaline-fueled activities for kids and adults.
Rotorua Museum
this Rotorua Museum Located in the old bathrooms in Government Gardens, built in 1908. This building is iconic in photos of Rotorua and is where I remember playing outside as a child.
Unfortunately, following the recent earthquake, the building was found to be below current seismic standards and is currently awaiting restoration.
It can still be viewed from the outside, while the Rotorua Museum is still running events, daily tours of the gardens and educational programmes.
Rotorua Night Market
Every Thursday night on Tutanekai Street is the Rotorua Night Market. We stumbled across it and are so glad we did. So much so that we’re still talking about it years later…
You’ll find a variety of food trucks, craft stands and entertainment. The dumplings are to die for; just be aware of the massive lines!
Rotorua Agdon
10 minutes drive from Rotorua city center iGordona 350-acre working farm open to visitors.
For anyone who wants to see more of the New Zealand countryside or just wants to get inside a sheep farm, this is your chance!
They have an hour-long farm show that will teach you about farming life, or you can take a farm tour. Our kids absolutely love doing this when we visit!
Rainbow Springs: Rotorua Wildlife and Nature Park
If you want to meet the elusive kiwi, Rainbow Springs is a great addition to your Rotorua things to do list.
While kiwis are our national bird, they are rarely seen in the wild outside of Stewart Island.
At Rainbow Springs they have a night enclosure that alternates day and night so you can see when the kiwi are most active.
There are also plenty of opportunities to see other native New Zealand wildlife elsewhere in the park.
Mt Tarawera Hike
and white water rafting Guardian Adventuresyou should check out their Mt Tarawera tour.
You’ll follow the rugged trail to Mount Tarawera, then walk through loose volcanic rock to the volcano’s summit.
From there, it slid down the rubble into the crater before scrambling out the other side.
The views are breathtaking, and it’s also a bit of an alternative to the busier, longer Tongariro Crossing.
zipline
For another adventurous outdoor activity in Rotorua, there are several different zip lining courses, including Skyline Rotorua and Rotorua Canopy Tours.
The forests you zipline through often contain native trees, which is a great opportunity to learn more about the landscape while having fun!
Hobbiton movie scene
Hobbiton is not in Rotorua, but is an hour away. Many people make day trips during their stay in the city.
The previous movie set, originally used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, was dismantled and then rebuilt before The Hobbit movies. Fortunately for us, it’s here now!
We really enjoyed visiting the set, it’s so well maintained it looks like you’ve really stepped into Middle Earth.
We’d love to linger for a few hours but the tour is broken up into time slots where the guide takes you around Hobbiton houses and ends at the Green Dragon Inn where you can enjoy one of their special beers . From the moment you step in the car, it’s an amazing adventure!
Check out the Hobbiton tour here
Rotorua essential travel tips
Best time to visit Rotorua
Summer is the best time to visit Rotorua as the temperatures are the warmest for any outdoor activity you plan to do, especially water activities.
Even in winter, however, it’s still worth visiting the city, as cultural experiences, geothermal areas, and many activities such as tobogganing or zip lining are still available.
That being said, many attractions, like white water rafting, will still be open and you’ll be provided with extra gear to keep warm.
How long to spend in Rotorua
How long you should stay in Rotorua depends on how many amazing sights you plan to visit!
I recommend at least 2-3 days, longer if you want to use the city as a base for more travel in the area or for many of the activities listed here.
Where to stay in Rotorua
Rotorua is a fairly small and walkable city, although many attractions are also located outside the city centre.
If you don’t have a car, I recommend staying in the city center so you can easily get to the pickup and drop-off locations for any activities and tours. If you travel by car, you can really live anywhere!
We like living in the city center for the convenience of eating out in the evening and walking around the lake, but we also live outside the city center and find it peaceful and relaxing.
As Rotorua has long been a center for tourists, there are many well-priced established hotels.
we live in Millennium HotelAlthough I’ve also stayed at Novotels and many other smaller motels before.
Check out more tours, attractions and events here:
I hope that when you visit New Zealand (or if you live there!) you consider Rotorua as a destination for your adventure and learn more about Maori culture and the history of this amazing region.
Sonya X
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