Location: Rotorua
Top Things to do in Rotorua
Top 10 Things to do in Rotorua, New Zealand
Bubbling mineral springs and pools promise maximum relaxation in Rotorua, on New Zealand's North Island. Therapeutic hot mud pools, dramatic geysers and a buried village are within easy reach of the city. What happens in the bubbling mud geysers of "Rotovegas"—the area at the top of Fenton Street—stays in Rotovegas. Once you've made the most of the mud, soar nearly 2,000 feet on the Skyline Gondola for views of Lake Rotorua, then zip back down to explore the lake by paddle steamer, fishing charter or WWII amphibious vehicle.
Restaurants in Rotorua
1. Volcanic Hills Winery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 440 reviews
Rotorua has a unique wine experience in its tourism repertoire with Volcanic Hills winery. The winery is at the base of Skyline Rotorua and a gondola ride up will take you to Volcanic Hills HQ, our Tasting Room situated high up within the popular skyline tourism attraction's mountain-top complex. Come up and drink the view overlooking Lake Rotorua. Please note we are closed Christmas Day.
Reviewed By reuben252018 - Melbourne, Australia
Gondola ride breathe taking. Nature walk peaceful informative and calming. Luge ride they say one ride is not enough this is sooooo true. You can travel at your pace and enjoy the nature around you. Chair lift ride back up, the most smoothest chair lift...MoreThank you for taking the time to post such a detailed review. Excellent to hear your entire experience was so good and best of all your time in the Tasting Room was a hightlight. We hope to have you back some time - Thanks again
2. 3D Trick Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
5 themes featuring New Zealand Life and extra will never get you bored. Over 50 pieces of life-size and hyper realistic murals inspired from New Zealand Nature and life style. It stimulate your imagination and creativity. Among the diverse themes at 3D trick Art Gallery, challenge your creativity to the test and win prizes from our regular event. Find our event from facebook page.
Reviewed By Faye J - Rugby, United Kingdom
Had great fun here with friends coming up with silly poses in front of pictures. Little expensive at 25dollars..but most things are in nz and parable with other attractions. It is worthwhile thinking of silly things to do and take your tume round tbe exhibition.
3. Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 479 reviews
Reviewed By MicheleNZ000 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Well worth it. Get there at 1:30 in time for the display at 2pm. This is so informative and incredible to see a falcon in action. We even got to have a turn with the glove and enjoy Hisan on our hand!
You can also walk through the centre and see the other birds in their cages. They are kept from young and taught to survive then released back to the wild.
The small museum is also very interesting.
4. Tamaki Maori Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Tamaki Maori Village – Evening Cultural Experience. New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Experience! Experience an evening of ceremonial ritual, powerful cultural performance, storytelling & hangi feasting. Share in the Powhiri, our ancient ceremony of welcome before entering our pre-European Maori Village nestled within a native Tawa Forest. The village comes alive with sights, sounds & activity of days gone by including haka, poi, tattooing, weaving, carving and arts of warrior training. You will have the opportunity to participate in these activities. Witness the earth being scraped away from the hangi pit to reveal baskets of food cooked beneath the ground on hot stones. Enter the ancestral meeting house and enjoy a powerful cultural performance before dining the traditional hangi buffet feast!
Reviewed By Karla G - RVing On the Road
Wow. What an evening in a beautiful setting of the woods. Our driver, Dennis, made the drive informative and fun. We learned some of the Maori language and customs on the ride out to the “village.”
First we learned about the greeting and welcome, very serious business...no smiling or laughing. That would be an insult. Then we visited three sites with different speakers. We learned about the customs and why they were important.
Next we went to the long house. There we were taught about the dances and singing. They have beautiful voices and movement.
Finally we went to see the “hangi” and had dinner. I won’t spoil it for you. It was delicious. They were very organized and thorough. I never felt rushed and there was plenty of everything.
An enjoyable, entertaining, and informative evening.
5. Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
If you love the outdoors this area is for you! Escape into the beautiful Whakarewarewa Forest, one of Rotorua’s most spectacular natural assets. Famous for its magnificent stands of towering Californian Coastal Redwoods it is just five minutes drive from the city centre. Here you can experience some of the finest walking and mountain bike trails in the world. Not to mention taking in superb panoramic views of Rotorua City, Lake and surrounding district. Entry to the forest, tracks and Gift Shop & Visitor Centre is FREE. There is lots of parking and toilet facilities available. Gates open at 5.30am and close late. Maps and information is available at the Redwoods I-Site and Visitor Centre. Don't forget to also check out the Redwoods Treewalk. This is available at the Redwoods and provides an alternative way to experience the Redwoods both during the day and at night. It is a paid attraction see their listing for more details.
Reviewed By DCTravelers69 - Fort Collins, Colorado
The free paths in the redwood park are gorgeous. Skip the payment of the elevated path and enjoy playing in the forest. It’s a great place to spend 30+ minutes!
6. Waimangu Cauldron
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Reviewed By mikeleary - Shanghai, China
A tour through Waimangu is much better than the Wai-O-Tapu tour, more interesting thermal features, some rain forest type environment, and in general more "wild" that Wai-O-Tapu which felt kind of artificial to me (Wai-O-Tapu isn't artificial, just so short and constricted with boardwalks that it feels that way).
7. Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
"One of the 20 Most Surreal Places in the World" Trip Advisor THOUSANDS OF YEARS IN THE MAKING, explore spectacular nature at New Zealand's most colourful natural volcanic area. Walk at your own pace - view the unique Champagne Pool, Sinter Terrace formations, Steaming Ground, Bubbling Mud, Expansive Vistas, Huge Volcanic Craters. The Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at 10.15am. Excellent facilities at modern Visitor Centre.
Reviewed By reemslaw - Leeds, United Kingdom
We did the tour with HeadFirst Travel and really enjoyed it.
The Geyser went off and shot it’s load 20ft in the air which was awesome. Our favourites were the devils ink pots, the champagne pool and the devils bath. The colours were amazing, although the sulphur smell was strong!
Only rated 4 stars because the park was a bit too busy. We always prefer if the gates were staggered or limits on numbers were in place as too many people, especially loud tourists tend to spoil it for us.
8. Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 998 reviews
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools provides the opportunity to relax and experience the pure natural geothermal waters from the Te Manaroa Spring. Facilities include The Pukeko in the Ponga Tree Cafe, a splash pool with adjoining toddlers play area, passive bathing pools, private spas, nature trail and separate changing, toilet and shower area for families. Waikite Valley Thermal Pools also offers powered and non powered campground sites.
Reviewed By Wendy G - Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
We were delighted when we turned up here to find it not too crowded (well actually everywhere feels “not crowded” after Queenstown perhaps) and the greeting at front desk clear and welcoming. We chose 45 mins in a private bath followed by using the public pools and we weren’t disappointed. The temperature was checked before we got in and 45 mins just flew by with us dreaming dreams as we lazed in the perfect water, and stared idly at the beautiful valley below us as the steam rose off the stream below and disappeared into the lush greenery surrounding it. We took the key to our private room back and then proceeded to sample EVERY pool in turn until we were thoroughly waterlogged. Every single pool had its own wonder and beauty but I did especially like staring out from the pergola pool. I had a quick wander up the eco trail and it was wonderful information and well worth the couple of minutes walk to sit and wonder at nature. Certainly for the price, this is worth the time if you need a thoroughly relaxing break from life.
9. aMAZEme
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 287 reviews
Beautiful Hedge Maze, located in Rotorua. Park entry includes loads of old fashioned family fun. Sack racing, giant puzzles, tug o war. Bring a picnic!
Reviewed By Fangpilotty - Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom
This was good fun and was trickier than it looked at first. The games at the front are a nice touch. The female staff member at the front desk was a joy, big smiles and really down to earth.
10. Blue Lake Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 565 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Diving-Addiction00 - Malaysia
Did the loop around the blue lake during the Tarawera Ultra and it was a beautiful lake. Managed to get into the lake for a 10 minute break and swim and it felt great afterwards on the final 16 kilometers to the finish line. The lake itself is clean and the park well maintained. Great for water activities. The trail goes up and down and we did this just before sun set.
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