Rotorua, New Zealand: travel guide
Geothermal pools, geysers and living Maori culture
The heart of North Island geothermal country and living Maori culture — bubbling mud pools, geysers at Te Puia, hangi and haka, and mountain-bike trails through the Redwoods forest.
About Rotorua
Rotorua is built on active geothermal land, and the smell of sulphur and rising steam are part of daily life. Mud pools, geysers and hot springs sit within and around the town, and it is also a centre of Maori culture.
Things to do in Rotorua include Te Puia and its geysers, a hangi meal and cultural performance with haka and song, and soaking in a thermal spa. The Redwoods forest has mountain-bike and walking trails, and the surrounding lakes offer swimming, fishing and scenic drives.
Rotorua suits families, culture seekers and anyone who wants a distinctive North Island stop. It can be visited year round, with warm, dry weather from late spring to early autumn.
- Country
- New Zealand
- Currency
- NZD
- Time zone
- Pacific/Auckland
- Nearest airport
- ROT
Last updated
Top places to visit in Rotorua
Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest
forest & trails · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A magnificent grove of towering Californian redwoods laced with walking, mountain-bike and a lantern-lit night Treewalk.
Polynesian Spa
geothermal spa · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A lakeside geothermal bathhouse with mineral hot pools of varying temperatures overlooking Lake Rotorua.
Blue and Green Lakes (Tikitapu)
twin lakes · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Twin lakes divided by a narrow forested isthmus, one deep blue and one green, with a lookout and lakeside walk.
Te Puia
geothermal & Maori arts · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Rotorua's cultural centrepiece, home to the Pohutu geyser, boiling mud, the national carving and weaving schools and a live kiwi house.
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
geothermal park · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The most colourful geothermal park, famed for the Champagne Pool, luminous Devil's Bath and the Lady Knox Geyser.
Government Gardens
Tudor bathhouse gardens · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Elizabethan-style gardens surrounding the grand Bath House (Rotorua Museum), with steaming vents and croquet lawns by the lake.
Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village
living Maori village · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A living village where Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao still cook in the steam and bathe in the hot pools, sharing daily guided tours.
Skyline Rotorua
gondola & luge · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A gondola up Mount Ngongotaha for lake views and the world's longest network of downhill luge tracks.
Hobbiton Movie Set
film set · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
The lush Shire film set near Matamata (about an hour from Rotorua), with 44 hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn and guided tours.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
geothermal valley · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The world's youngest geothermal system, born of the 1886 Tarawera eruption, with the vast steaming Frying Pan Lake.
Kuirau Park
free geothermal park · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A free public park in town with bubbling mud pools, steaming craters and a foot-bath, right beside the CBD.
Ohinemutu Maori Village
lakeside Maori village · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A historic lakeside Maori village with the carved St Faith's Anglican church and the ornate Tama-te-kapua meeting house.
Things to do
- Te Puia Geyser & Hangi Experience Cultural · 4 h · from NZD 150 per person
- Tamaki Maori Village Evening Cultural · 4 h · from NZD 155 per person
- Rotorua Canopy Zipline Tour Adventure · 3 h · from NZD 159 per person
- Kaituna White Water Rafting Adventure · 4 h · from NZD 119 per person
- Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights Nature · 1.5 h · from NZD 40 per person
- Geothermal Wonderland Tour Nature · 5 h · from NZD 95 per person
Day trips and tours
- Rotorua Geothermal & Maori Culture Day 9 h · from NZD 235
Where to stay in Rotorua
- Rotorua Lakefront & CBD about NZD 200 per night
The central lakeside district near Eat Streat dining, the Government Gardens and the geothermal town centre.
- Fenton Street about NZD 170 per night
The main accommodation strip running to Whakarewarewa, lined with motels near the geothermal parks.
Hotels
- Regent of Rotorua 4.5-star · NZD 200 to NZD 340 per night
- Princes Gate Boutique Hotel 4-star · NZD 190 to NZD 320 per night
- Sudima Lake Rotorua 4-star · NZD 190 to NZD 310 per night
- Novotel Rotorua Lakeside 4.5-star · NZD 220 to NZD 360 per night
- Millennium Hotel Rotorua 4.5-star · NZD 200 to NZD 330 per night
- Holiday Inn Rotorua 4-star · NZD 180 to NZD 300 per night
Where to eat
- Atticus Finch Modern New Zealand, Shared Plates · about NZD 55 per person
- Terrace Kitchen Modern New Zealand, Cafe · about NZD 50 per person
- Sabroso Latin American · about NZD 35 per person
- Abracadabra Cafe Mediterranean, Mexican · about NZD 45 per person
- Third Place Cafe Cafe · about NZD 28 per person
- Leela Indian Restaurant Indian · about NZD 32 per person
- Capers Epicurean Cafe, Deli · about NZD 30 per person
- Pig & Whistle Pub, New Zealand · about NZD 35 per person
Getting to Rotorua
Airport: Rotorua (ROT)
How visitors arrive in Rotorua
- Drive from Auckland By road from Auckland · common
Rotorua is reached by road from Auckland, mainly via Hamilton, with other routes via Matamata. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Flight into Rotorua Airport By air from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch · common
Air New Zealand flies into Rotorua Regional Airport from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- InterCity coach By road from Auckland and other towns · common
Coaches arrive at the i-SITE visitor centre on Fenton Street. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Drive from Tauranga or Taupo By road from Tauranga / Taupo · possible
Neighbouring Bay of Plenty and Taupo are linked by road. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- CityRide local bus to the airport
Baybus CityRide runs a limited service to the airport; the city terminus is at Fenton and Arawa Streets near the isite. Source: rotorua-airport.co.nz
From the bus terminal to the centre
- InterCity coaches to the Rotorua isite
InterCity coaches arrive and depart from the Rotorua isite on Fenton Street; backpacker coaches usually collect from the main hostels. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus limited to a few areas
CityRide buses, run by Baybus, are a limited local service with several routes from a main stop near the i-Site, including one past Skyline Rotorua and the Agrodome.
- Car Rental Self
- Shuttle
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Unofficial 'guides' at geothermal sites
Around town and hot-pool areas
Rare informal touts offer paid 'tours' or parking that are not endorsed by the attractions.
How to avoid it: Buy tickets at official gates and use signposted, paid car parks only.
Best time to visit Rotorua
- Jan 23°C
- Feb 23°C
- Mar 21°C
- Apr 18°C
- May 15°C
- Jun 13°C
- Jul 12°C
- Aug 13°C
- Sep 15°C
- Oct 16°C
- Nov 19°C
- Dec 21°C
More in New Zealand
Frequently asked questions about Rotorua
- What are the main places to visit in Rotorua?
- Places covered in our Rotorua guide include Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest, Polynesian Spa, Blue and Green Lakes (Tikitapu), Te Puia, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
- Where should I stay in Rotorua?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Rotorua: Rotorua Lakefront & CBD, Fenton Street.
- How do I get around Rotorua?
- Ways to get around Rotorua covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Shuttle, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Rotorua?
- Scams reported to us for Rotorua include Unofficial 'guides' at geothermal sites. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Rotorua?
- Average daytime highs in Rotorua run from 12°C in Jul to 23°C in Feb.
- Which airport is nearest to Rotorua?
- The nearest airport to Rotorua has the code ROT.