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I’ll cut to the chase here: Rotorua is definitely worth visiting!
It’s easily one of my favorite places on the North Island – and, in fact, the entire country. I immediately fell in love with Rotorua because there’s so much to do here, and I’ve returned many times since my first visit.
But the problem is, there are so many incredible places to visit in New Zealand that it can be really hard to decide where to go, especially if you’re short on time. So, I’ve written this in-depth guide to help you decide whether or not visiting Rotorua is right for you!
What I love about Rotorua
Outdoor Adventure
Rotorua is a real paradise for adventure lovers! It always astounds me just how much there is to do in Rotorua, from whitewater rafting to kayaking through glow worm caves, ziplining, and more. The area also boasts one of the most active geothermal fields in the world, which means there are tons of geothermal parks to explore, including New Zealand’s only mud bath!
Maori culture
Rotorua has one of the largest Maori populations in all of New Zealand, so one of my favorite things to do here is learn more about Maori culture and history. Visiting Te Pa Tu cultural village is probably the most famous Maori activity here, and I loved my experience there, but there are plenty more.
Local tour guides are fantastic at shedding light on Rotorua’s Maori history, and I learned a ton on this guided walk around Hell’s Gate, and got to try my hand at Maori-style carving!
Unique geothermal activity
Rotorua is a hotbed of geothermal activity, and this is one of the main reasons that so many people visit! I love exploring the area’s geothermal parks, like Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Hell’s Gate, and Te Puia … to name just a few! With geysers, steaming lakes, bubbling mud pools, and even a neon green pool known as the Devil’s Bath, these parks make me feel like I’m on another planet.
Great food scene
Trust me, you won’t go hungry in Rotorua! Tutanekai Street is a lively street filled with great restaurants, and lots of bars and pubs to hit up afterwards. Meanwhile, Eat Streat is a food court offering plenty of choices, from tapas to Indian food and traditional Kiwi pub classics. I like dining al fresco here, and that’s possible year-round thanks to the covered walkway and heated pavement!
Easy to get to from Auckland
Lots of tourists fly into (or out of) Auckland, and Rotorua is just 2 hours and 40 minutes south of this major city. It’s easy to get to and makes a great first stop on a road trip. The fact that it’s so easy to get to is a real bonus if you’re short on time! If you need help planning the drive, my road trip guide for Auckland to Rotorua will help!
5 Best Activities in Rotorua
Geothermal Parks
Instead of amusement parks, Rotorua has “geothermal parks!” These parks are huge and full of attractions. If I’m being honest they aren’t the cheapest, so I’ll go through info on the three main ones so you can choose which one to visit!
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is the cheapest of the thermal parks in Rotorua at only $45 NZD. It has the largest mud pool in New Zealand and the Lady Knox Geyser which can shoot water 10-20 meters (33-65 feet) in the air.
There are guided tours or you can walk through on your own to see sulfur lakes, geysers, hot springs, bubbling mud, and giant volcanic craters. When you visit, make sure you’re here for 10:15 am when the Lady Knox Geyser erupts as part of a daily presentation.
Te Puia
Discover one of only two geyser fields in the world still in its natural state at Te Puia Thermal Wonderland. It’s full of mud pools and geysers, including the Pōhutu Geyser which is the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere!
Te Puia is only 5 minutes from Rotorua and you must join a guided tour to explore here. I suggest the Te Puia Te Ra Guided experience where you’ll tour the geothermal highlights along with visits to a Kiwi Conservation Centre and Maori Cultural Center. It costs $95 NZD for the 2-hour experience.
Book the Te Puia guided tour here and you can pay later!
Hell’s Gate
While the name “Hell’s Gate” might be a little off-putting, there’s nothing scary about visiting. The name was coined by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw who visited in 1934 and declared this eerie landscape must be the gateway to hell. The Maori landowners liked the nickname and it stuck!
This geothermal reserve was once used by Māori warriors to help heal their wounds. Nowadays, visitors can take a dip in the mineral-rich waters and mud baths to feel relaxed and rejuvenated. That’s right – at this thermal park, you can swim!
You can visit on your own, but I recommend booking a tour for the full experience. This Hell’s Gate tour includes a geothermal walk, a chance to try out Māori carving, and the highlight – a dip in the geothermal mud and sulfur waters! The experience costs $105 NZD.
Book the full Hell’s Gate experience here for FREE cancellation!
Ziplining
Fly high above the 500-year-old forest of Rotorua with this ziplining adventure tour! You’ll start at a platform above the ground before taking a series of six ziplines above the tree canopy.
The longest zipline here is 220 meters (722 feet), which gives a nice long ride and time to take in the views. There are also suspension bridges to walk across along the way.
It’s easily the most popular tour in Rotorua. Seriously, this zipline tour has over 4,000 5-star reviews – if that doesn’t tell you how much fun it is, then nothing will! The tour is $189 NZD including photos of your zipline adventure and due to its popularity, should be booked in advance.
Grab your spot on this 5-star zipline tour here!
Whitewater rafting
The whitewater rafting in Rotorua is famous, and for good reason – here you’ll find the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world! The 7-meter (23-foot) drop of Tutea Falls is definitely one that gets your heart racing.
This rafting tour comes with the best reviews and even has the honor of being TripAdvisor’s #1 experience in New Zealand and #2 in the entire world! Plus you’ll get bragging rights after you raft over a waterfall!
It starts with some easier rapids on the Kaituna River before you reach the famous drop. If that isn’t enough excitement, you’ll also have the chance to try cliff jumping.
The tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off along with a wetsuit and helmet. The cost is $125 NZD.
Book this thrilling rafting tour online here to get FREE cancellation!
Eat Streat
Eat Streat is kind of like the ultimate food court with an outdoor dining area around a covered pathway. It’s open all year round and the walkway is heated, which is nice during the colder months. You’ll find everything from hearty pub food, steaks, Indian, Italian, and ice cream here.
I mentioned ice cream because you HAVE to stop at Lady Janes Ice Cream Parlour. It’s been here for decades and locals will tell you to get a ‘Danish cone’ which is a large waffle cone with creamy ice cream topped with fresh whipped cream and sprinkles. So good!
If you don’t want to start with dessert, grab ice cream after you try some of the food at Atticus Finch. Their dishes are made to share, so come with friends to enjoy dumplings, fried fish, lamb, and incredible pavlova. This is one of the finer dining places on Eat Street, but a place I really enjoy (I love the tapas-style of dining!).
Te Pā Tū Maori Cultural Village
With a large Māori population, Rotorua is the perfect place to learn about Māori people and their culture. You can completely immerse yourself here by visiting a Māori village or taking part in a traditional feast.
I opted to spend an evening at Te Pā Tū, a Maori village just outside of Rotorua. I was welcomed to the village with a Powhiri (welcome ceremony). Then the warriors showed many tools and demonstrated ways of life including games. They also performed a Haka before dinner which was a Hāngī feast (cooked in an underground oven) with meat and vegetables – it was a delicious 3-course meal!
It was such an interesting experience and one I would recommend to anybody visiting Rorotua. Nowhere else in New Zealand can you have a cultural experience quite like this! Tour prices begin at $270 NZD.
Tickets for Te Pā Tū tend to sell out, so book in advance here!
Related Read: For more can’t-miss experiences, have a look at my list of the top 10 tours in Rotorua!
Why I Book Tours on Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! I almost always book all of my tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here!
Best Day Trips from Rotorua
Hobbiton
As you probably already know, the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies were filmed here in New Zealand. So, why not step into Middle-earth and see where movie magic came to life! One of the best is the amazing Hobbiton Movie Set not far from Rotorua.
This sheep farm with lush green pastures and rolling hills has been transformed with hobbit holes, the famous Green Dragon Inn (where you can enjoy a drink!), and the Party Tree. It’s a treasure trove for Lord of the Rings fans and a pretty cool experience, even if you’ve only seen a couple of the movies.
If you visit on your own, expect to pay $120 NZD to enter the movie set on a required guided tour. The price includes your guide, a 2-hour tour, and a drink at the end at the Green Dragon Inn. You should book your spot online in advance because it does often sell out (especially in the summer months).
Alternatively, you can choose to join this small-group Hobbiton tour. The tour departs from Rotorua and takes you to explore the movie set and visit Bilbo’s hobbit hole as you hear behind-the-scenes stories. A lunch at Hobbiton is also included! This 6.5-hour experience including transportation and all admission fees is $284 NZD.
Book a visit to Hobbiton from Rotorua easily here and you can pay later!
Waitomo Caves
Imagine entering a cave with twinkling blue lights that look almost like stars in the night sky. This amazing phenomenon is created by a species of glow worm that can only be found in New Zealand and parts of Australia.
The Waitomo Caves are about so much more than just the glow worms (although trust me, they are amazing!). You will learn about Maori history, see huge stalactite formations, and be awed by the large Cathedral Cave. You must join a guided tour to enter, but you have a few choices on the type of tour.
This guided tour to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves takes you and a small group on a 45-minute tour. You’ll start by walking through the giant caves and visiting the impressive Cathedral Cave. You will then get into a boat and float through the caves while marveling at the impressive light show of millions of glow worms. This is the cheapest and quickest tour available at $79 NZD.
The Black Water Rafting Waitomo Cave Tour has you floating in an inner tube through the caves. This tour is 3 hours long and includes exploring the caves yourself including a small waterfall jump! You can also upgrade to a 5-hour tour that adds on abseiling and a zipline. This is my pick for adventurous travelers!
Book the guided tour of Waitomo Caves here or try out the adventurous rafting tour!
Taupo
A day trip to Taupo from Rotorua is super easy – just follow the Thermal Explorer Highway for about an hour. This stretch of road has some awesome attractions including Craters of the Moon, Orakei Korako Geothermal Park, Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, Te Puia, and more.
When you arrive, check out my list of activities in Taupo or just head straight to beautiful Lake Taupo! One of my top recommendations is to get on the lake with this boat cruise to visit the famous Maori Rock Carvings. These carvings tower above the water and can only be reached by boat.
For a fully planned day out where you don’t need to worry about transportation or picking where to go, join this Taupo day trip tour. You’ll get to see Lake Taupo and the beautiful Huka Falls as well as pick one of two geothermal destinations to explore. It’s limited to 11 people and includes hotel pick-up and drop-off as well as entrance fees at your chosen geothermal site. You can join the tour for as low as $255 NZD.
Tips for Visiting Rotorua
When is the best time of year to visit Rotorua?
December through February is summer in Rotorua, and these months have the nicest weather. However, I do like to visit during the spring and fall, as the weather is often still warm, and there are fewer tourists.
How many days do I need in Rotorua?
In my experience, 3-5 days is enough time to explore and enjoy the top activities in Rotorua! But with that being said, you can easily spend a week here if you’ve got the time. There’s just so much variety!
If you want step-by-step itineraries, check out my guides on spending one day, two days, or three days in Rotorua!
What’s the best way to get around the city?
It’s super easy to get around Rotorua! It’s very walkable, and it’s also easy to cycle around, too. Of course, you can drive around town if you have a rental car, too, and there’s a pretty extensive bus network, so most places are accessible by bus, too.
Why you shouldn’t visit Rotorua
To be honest, it’s hard to think of a reason not to visit Rotorua. It’s easily one of the best places to visit on the North Island and it showcases some of New Zealand’s most unique natural landscapes.
It is quite touristy, especially during the summer, so it may not be for you if you love off-the-beaten-path destinations the most. But it’s popular for a reason!
Is Rotorua Worth Visiting?
Yes! It’s a fantastic destination for travelers who love outdoor adventures or are keen to learn more about Maori culture. It’s one of the North Island’s most unique destinations, and it’s easy to get to from Auckland, so I think it’s definitely worth spending some time here.
Related Read: Pssst, while you’re in Rotorua, check out Secret Spot Hot Tubs where you can book a private hot tub in the middle of the forest!
Where to Go After Rotorua
Taupo
If you haven’t made a day trip here already, I think it’s worth staying a couple of days in Taupo! It’s only an hour’s drive south of Rotorua, so it’s the perfect next stop on a road trip.
Set on the edge of Lake Taupo, it has some of the most beautiful scenery on the North Island, which is precisely why I just love to visit.
There’s plenty in Taupo to keep you busy, such as visiting the breathtaking Huka Falls, paddling or sailing out to the Maori rock carvings, and bathing at the Spa Thermal Park. It’s also possible to hike the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which is a must for avid hikers!
Napier
Napier is a city on the North Island’s east coast. It takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to drive here from Rotorua, and I highly recommend that wine lovers make the trip!
Napier is in the Hawkes Bay wine region, which is one of New Zealand’s most famous wine-producing areas, and there’s no shortage of amazing wine tours here. However, make sure to spend some time in the town itself. It was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1931, so it’s filled with beautiful Art Deco architecture.
Tauranga
Tauranga is an hour’s drive north of Rotorua, and this is the largest city in New Zealand’s spectacular Bay of Plenty. It’s home to beaches, a dormant volcano, and tons of great craft beer, so it pretty much checks all of my boxes!
This harbourside city is the perfect base for outdoor adventures, such as hiking up Mount Maunganui, chasing waterfalls at McLaren Falls Park, and surfing or swimming at Maunganui Beach. Perhaps best of all, there’s even the opportunity to go swimming with wild dolphins on this tour, which is a real bucket list experience if you ask me.
Where to Stay in Rotorua
Rotorua has some very nice places to stay! What’s great about this area is all the choices – whether you are backpacking on a budget or looking for a luxurious place to call home for a few nights. These are my top picks for every budget!
Rydges Rotorua – $$$
For a more luxurious stay in Rotorua, Rydges Rotorua offers scenic views on the edge of Redwoods Forest and overlooking the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Reserve.
Start your morning with a swim in the heated outdoor swimming pool. You can also drop by the hotel’s award-winning restaurant and bar that offers modern New Zealand cuisine. Choose between a superior or deluxe room, each featuring air conditioning, comfy beds, and cable TV with free movies.
Anything for the little ones? Yes! Rydges Rotorua houses a Play Zone with various games for children of all ages, including table tennis, foosball, Nintendo Switch, air hockey, and more.
Rates start from $242 NZD per night. You can reserve your room on Booking.com.
Thermal Oak Motel – $$
If more rooms and spacious accommodations are what you’re looking for, you’ll find them at Thermal Oak Motel. The motel offers deluxe studios to a three-bedroom house all with free parking, AC, kitchenettes, and Wi-Fi.
Besides the rooms, you can go for a dip in one of the two public mineral spa pools. Another advantage is the convenient access to the city center, which is only a 10-minute walk away.
Rates range from $180 NZD up to $600 NZD per night. Reserve a room on Booking.com!
Rock Solid Backpackers Rotorua – $
Rock Solid Backpackers Rotorua is one of the budget-friendly hotels centrally located within walking distance of many Rotorua attractions like Government Gardens and the Polynesian Spa. It’s a perfect fit for travelers with a tight budget where rooms in a shared dorm start at only $47 NZD/night. If you don’t want to share, there are private rooms available around the $100 NZD mark.
You can save money on meals by using the communal kitchen or if you’re in the mood for a more challenging activity, head to the rock-climbing wall next door which offers guests a discounted rate.
You can easily book a room on HostelWorld.com or Booking.com.
Renting a Car, Campervan, or Motorhome in New Zealand
Let’s face it, you’re going to need wheels to get around New Zealand. Although a small country, buses between destinations are infrequent and expensive. Plus, some of the best experiences you can have in NZ are on road trips!
You have three options when it comes to getting wheels in New Zealand; a car, a campervan, or a motorhome. Here’s what you need to know about each and where to get them:
- Car – A normal car is the cheapest rental vehicle you can get in New Zealand. It’ll get you around to all of the best destinations with ease. The only downside to a car is that you will need to stay in hotels or Airbnbs during your travels (no camping.) The easiest place to rent a car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare cars, companies, prices, features, and more very easily.
- Campervan – A Campervan is a large van that has a bed and a small kitchen in the back. It’s what most budget travelers use for traveling around New Zealand since it allows you to camp comfortably and for free (most) nights. Campervans are best for couples or solo travelers who are happy to live in a small space. You should also love the outdoors and camping…and be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime! My favorite campervan rental company is JUCY because they have a huge selection of campervans to choose from, plus multiple pick-up/drop-off locations. You can browse JUCY’s campervan selection online here. Alternatively, you can easily compare all campervans available in NZ on Motorhome Republic here.
- Motorhome – A motorhome is larger and more comfortable than a campervan. Many motorhomes will comfortably sleep 6 or more people – perfect for a family visiting New Zealand. Motorhomes are the most expensive option, but with one you won’t ever need to stay in a hotel and you’ll save money that way. My top choice for a motorhome company is Star RV because they have beautiful motorhomes at affordable prices. You can check prices and availability for Star RV motorhomes online here. Alternatively, you can use Motorhome Republic to search all motorhomes in NZ. For more detailed info, read my complete guide to renting a motorhome in New Zealand!
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: I’ve managed to snag a discount code for 5% off for my readers if you book your campervan or motorhome through JUCY or Star RV! Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome, and then use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off – it’s that easy!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, I currently use and recommend SafetyWing. I’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had my back when I needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference I’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. I’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum and you get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped me out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given me peace of mind. Read my full review on if you should get travel insurance in NZ for more info!
Thanks for reading!
I hope you found my blog helpful as you decide if visiting Rotorua is in the cards for you! There is SO much to do and see here – way more than I even mentioned. Yes, it’s popular, but in my opinion, it lives up to the hype.
If you’re planning to visit this area, check out all my Rotorua blogs or the entire North Island section. I also picked out a few related reads below that I think you might like!
17 BEST Stops on the Drive from Taupo to Rotorua