Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s top tourist hot spots. With renowned Maori culture, luxurious spa therapies, a chain of sparkling lakes, some of the world’s best mountain bike tracks, plenty of adventure activities and much more, the central North Island city is an ‘untapped’ jewel waiting to be discovered.
Come and see for yourself.
Here are our top picks of things to do.
Polynesian Spa
Voted one of the world’s top 10 spas several times by Conde Nast magazine, Polynesian Spa is a must-do if you’re after a relaxing experience.
A hot soak in any of the four mineral pools will leave your skin feeling soft and supple. Temperatures range from 36˚-42˚C – just the thing if you’ve had a busy day. The pools overlook Lake Rotorua and are surrounded by native New Zealand flora and natural rocks.
Feeling decadent? Treat yourself to a massage therapy in the Lake Spa, the complex’s deluxe mineral bathing and relaxation area. Here you’re free to move between the pools and the lounge.
Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park
Meet the locals at Rainbow Springs, a 22-acre attraction that houses a wide range of native birds including New Zealand’s beloved kiwi, which are hatched and cared for here.
Experience the adrenalin rush of the Big Splash, a log flume-style ride around the park with a stomach-churning drop at the end, explore free-flight aviaries and feed the birds or huge wild trout, and experience a quirky show featuring hilarious feathered performers.
If a day here leaves you wanting more, come back at night to watch the kiwi play in an outdoor enclosure that allows you to get close to these delightful birds.
White Water Rafting
With three main raftable rivers around Rotorua – the Kaituna, Rangitaiki and the Wairoa – it’s no wonder white water rafting is so popular here. Throw in the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall (the 7m Tutea Falls on the Kaituna), and you have a trip you really won’t want to miss.
The Wairoa Riveris one of New Zealand’s most exciting raftable rivers. Trips along here start with grade two rapids and culminate in grade five white water. You’ll pass through tree-lined gorges that’ll take your breath away – if the rafting doesn’t do that first. The Wairoa River is controlled by a hydro dam and is only open for rafting 26 days a year.
The Rangitaiki, on the other hand, is a gentle river perfect for families and beginner rafters. Escape the world on a 14km river trip winding through spectacular native bush and planted forest. There’s plenty of time between grade 3-4 rapids to enjoy the scenery.
Rotorua Canopy Tours
Swing from the treetops at New Zealand’s only native forest zipline canopy experience with Rotorua Canopy Tours. Three-hour tours, through a 1.2km area on the edge of the Mamaku ranges in the Dansey Rd scenic reserve, take in six ziplines up to 22m high and two canopy swing bridges.
It’s flying foxing taken up a notch. You’ll revel in the exhilarating sense of freedom.
Guides are professional, funny, passionate about their work and extremely knowledgeable about the bush they work in.
The Redwoods (Whakarewarewa Forest)
The stand of Californian Redwood trees in Rotorua’s famed Whakarewarewa Forest is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Walking, biking and horse riding tracks of varying length and difficulty wind through native and exotic forest just five minutes’ drive – yet a world away – from central Rotorua.
The Whakarewarewa Forest itself covers more than 5600ha. People flock here from around the globe to challenge themselves on its world-class mountain biking tracks. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert rider used to grade five tracks, you’ll love it here.
Best of all, it’s free.
Skyline Rotorua
Nestled on the side of Mt Ngongotaha, Skyline is one of Rotorua’s best-known and most popular attractions. Ride up the mountain in a gently swaying gondola and drink in breath-taking views of Rotorua and its surrounds. Then race your friends or family downhill on luge tracks varying in difficulty.
For the truly daring, there’s the Sky Swing – a bungy-style ride that will hurtle you through the air from 50m high at speeds of up to 120km/h – or a 383m zipline ride that’ll take you down the mountain at a breakneck pace.
Has all that activity worked up an appetite? You’ll be well catered for at the spacious buffet and grill restaurant or in the Food Market Kitchen, a marketplace-style cafe with something for everyone.
Kids will love the Jelly Belly store, with 100 different scrumptious flavours of jelly beans to choose from, while the Volcanic Hills winery and tasting room will keep the adults happy.
OGO
OGO is brought to you by the inventors of Zorb – created here in Rotorua – and is based on the same premise; rolling people downhill in a huge plastic globe.
It’s the biggest ball-rolling park in the world.
Jump in a ball with 40 litres of water (cool in summer, warm in winter) and roll straight down the hill or zigzag your way to the bottom. Or go for the harnessed option, where you’ll roll with the ball instead of slipping around inside it. It’s not for the faint-hearted.
Either way, you’re guaranteed to have a ‘ball’.
The Agrodome
Just 10 minutes’ drive from the Rotorua city centre is the world-renowned Agrodome. Its farm tour and quirky sheep show, complete with a cast of talented animals and plenty of audience participation, gives visitors a peek into New Zealand’s farming industry.
If you’ve never milked a cow, you’ll get the chance here. You can also explore the working farm, cuddle and hand-feed friendly animals and sample delicious kiwifruit juice and honey produced on site.
The Agrodome is open every day, whatever the weather. It’s fun for the whole family – you’ll love it even if farming isn’t your thing.
Rotorua Duck Tours
Tour Rotorua by ‘Duck’ and get a unique perspective on the region.
From the comfort of a distinctive WWII military landing vehicle – affectionately called a Duck – you’ll delve into Rotorua’s fascinating history, visit renowned landmarks and explore some of the city’s most spectacular scenery.
The light-hearted tours, led by ‘conducktors’, are a great all-weather activity for the whole family. The kids will love it.
Tours depart three times a day in summer and twice daily in winter.
Te Puia
If you’re looking for a Maori cultural experience, you’ve come to the right place. Tucked into the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, Te Puia is home to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, where you can watch master weavers and carvers at work, and the unmissable Pohutu Geyser, which erupts up to 30m high several times a day.
There are more than 500 geothermal wonders in the 60ha valley, and daily hangi and concert cultural performances open to the public.
There are live kiwi birds housed in a special enclosure on site, and a range of nature walks around the valley.
