Things to Do in Rotorua

Things to see and do in Rotorua, Rotorua highlights, Rotorua activities and attractions, and points of interest in Rotorua - the ALL NEW Jasons Rotorua Things to Do Guide is your complete guide to sightseeing in Rotorua.

Te Whakarewarewa
Rotorua's largest thermal reserve is home to the world-famous Pohutu Geyser, which erupts up to 31m high.
Te Puia
New Zealand's premier Maori culture and geothermal visitor experience. At the far side of the reserve are houses, craft-people, an art gallery, a replica Maori village and the Rotowhio Marae. Maori concerts are held daily.
Tamaki Maori Village
The village is built on pre-European design and show-cases authentic arts and crafts from the local people. Explore the Museum, or take a guided tour through the Te Tawa Ngahere Pa.
Rotorua Museum of Art & History – Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa
Housed in the historic Tudor-style Bath House in the city's elegant Government Gardens, the museum houses a fine collection of taonga (treasures) belonging to the local Arawa tribe. A 12-minute movie containing special effects to the tune of $1.4 million looks at Rotorua's fascinating past. Exhibitions include the dramatic eruption of nearby Mount Tarawera.
Lake Rotorua
The largest of the region's lakes is well stocked with trout. Visitors can hire a guide or fish solo during trout fishing season in October to June, although a licence is required. The vintage paddle-steamer Lakeland Queen offers breakfast, lunch and dinner cruises, or you can hire your own boat or kayak at the lake front. The 57-hectare lake provides a central base for watersports, including yachting and swimming. There are shoreline facilities for picnicking and roller skating, along with a children's playground, a miniature railway and miniature golf.
Rakeiao Marae
A traditional Maori marae on the shores of Lake Rotoiti. Rotoiti Tours offer visits featuring a cultural performance and hangi feast.
Wai-o-tapu
The famous Lady Knox Geyser erupts at 10.15am every day at Wai-o-tapu. Other attractions include collapsed craters, mud-pools, acid-green water and the famous orange-rimmed Champagne Pool. The reserve is 30km south of Rotorua on SH5.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Visitors can walk and boat through this valley, which was created by the Mount Tarawera eruption. Swirling steam and mist reveal native bush and boiling craters. The turn-off is 19km south of the city.
The Buried Village
The excavated remains of the village Te Wairoa, which was buried in the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera. The eruption, on 10 June 1886, covered New Zealand's famous Pink & White Terraces, killed 153 people and destroyed three villages.
Hell's Gate
Rotorua's most active thermal reserve is 16km east of the city on SH30. A walking track leads around the main attractions, including the Southern Hemisphere's largest thermal waterfall.
Thermal Pools
Polynesian Spa in the Government Gardens offers thermal mineral pools, health and spa treatments and a luxury lakeside spa.
Skyline Skyrides
A gondola ride to the Skyline Restaurant, providing panoramic views of Lake Rotorua. Other attractions include downhill mountain biking, scenic and advanced luge tracks (open daily from 9am), a shooting gallery (open daily from 9.30am), mini-golf and a gift shop.
Rainbow Springs
A showcase of NZ's flora and fauna, including a trout hatchery and a native bird aviary that houses the kiwis. The Rainbow Farm Show offers a hands-on insight into New Zealand farming.
Rotorua Agrodome
Farm shows, plus the opportunity to shear a sheep, roll down a hill inside a zorb (a plastic orb), ride the agro-jet sprint boat or even do a bungy. Located 17km north of Rotorua on SH1.
Walks
South-east of Rotorua, Whakarewarewa Conservation Forest Park has some good routes to the Blue and Green Lakes. 50km east of Rotorua, Whirinaki Forest Park contains walking tracks through dense native podocarp rainforest, scenic drives, waterfalls and an ecological reserve.

Things to Do in Rotorua

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