Rotorua Travel Guide
Rotorua (which comes from the Maori “Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe”) is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the North Island. Located in the Bay of Plenty region, tourists have been visiting here since the 19th century, flocking to the region to bathe in the geothermal hot springs. The dynamic geothermal landscape makes for exciting nature walks, Maori cultural experiences, trips to smelly geysers, and soaks in luxury spas.
Everything from restaurants to accommodations is centrally located around a few streets as Rotorua is a small town. Since it’s a small place, you only really need a couple of nights here to get your fun in. I didn’t feel the need to stay and linger. See everything and then head out!
This travel guide to Rotorua can help you get the most out of your visit.
Click Here for City Guides
Top 5 Things to See and Do in Rotorua
1. See the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve
This living Maori village is home to the Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao people, who have been living in the area since at least the 14th century. The village, which has been welcoming tourists since the 1800s, is set against a backdrop of erupting geothermal activity. You can tour the village and walk the trails around the geothermal area, which is full of geysers, including the Pohutu Geyser, the largest geyser in New Zealand. A guided tour is included in the entrance price. You can save a little if you just want to walk around the geothermal area by yourself.
2. Get to know Maori culture
Rotorua and the area surrounding it is the best area to learn about Maori culture. The cultural tours all are similar, with slight differences (some are smaller, some have better food, etc.) so only see one. Te Pa Tu, a four-hour evening experience of feasting, dancing, singing, and more is highly recommended. You can also visit the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute (located within Te Puia, part of the aforementioned Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve) to learn more about traditional carving and weaving techniques that are preserved to this day.
3. Go to the spa
Soaking in the therapeutic waters of Rotorua has attracted tourists to the area for more than 200 years. The first bathhouse at the Polynesian Spa opened in 1882, and today there are 28 different geothermal pools to enjoy at the spa, including private sky view pools, public pools, family pools, and a full range of spa services. Another fun spa option is Hell’s Gate in Rotorua’s most active geothermal area. You get to bathe in the mud baths and then soak in hot springs after. Prices vary depending on which baths you choose.
4. Explore Whakarewarewa Forest
Whakarewarewa Forest is a sprawling 5,260 hectares (13,000 acres) and provides a stunning environment for horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, and more. The Redwood Grove has endless walking trails, while the variety of riding surfaces makes for some epic biking (there are more than 70 trails). Admission is free. If you’re new to mountain biking, several operators in the area offer tours and classes.
5. Visit the Buried Village
This ghost town, officially named Te Wairoa, was founded by Europeans and Maori in 1848. It was swamped with ash when the nearby Mt. Tarawera erupted in 1886, killing 120 people. Here you can explore the remains of the village and the archaeological excavations, see artifacts that survived, and learn about the history and the eruption. It is a 20-minute drive from Rotorua.
Other Things to See and Do in Rotorua
1. Go Zorbing
This New Zealand-invented activity is popular with backpackers. You get put into a giant see-through ball and rolled down a steep hill. You also have the option to add water to your ball. The park has four different tracks to choose from, ranging from 250-350 meters long (820-1,150 feet). There are also group options available, where up to three people can ride in one Zorb ball.
2. Visit the Rotorua Museum
Located inside an expansive early 20th-century Elizabethan Revival bathhouse, this museum has exhibits on the culture and history of the area. This includes artwork, photographs, artifacts, and displays about the local environment. There is also an important collection of over 2,000 Maori artifacts. Note: The indoor museum is temporarily closed for earthquake strengthening restorations and is scheduled to re-open in 2025. However, you can still visit the gardens.
3. Wander through the Government Gardens
This is a beautiful public park near the Sportsdrome (a sports arena) and is an important place for the local Maori. The Maori people gave 20 hectares (50 acres) of the land here to the Crown, which has been turned into a large garden and nursery. It’s also home to the Blue Baths, an elaborate Elizabethan Tudor-style bathhouse that has been around for over a century and now hosts local weddings and events.
4. Do a canopy tour
These three-hour tours take you on zip lines and swing bridges through the nearby prehistoric forest (which is home to 1,000-year-old trees). You’ll learn about the native birds and plant life found in the forest along the way. You may even have the opportunity to feed some of them. Groups are always fewer than ten people with Rotorua Canopy Tours, and there will be two guides to ensure everyone has a fun and safe experience. Tandem options are also available.
5. Hike around Mount Tarawera
Mount Tarawera is an awe-inspiring volcano, known for its violent 1886 volcanic eruption. Nowadays, the sleepy mountain and its lake serve as a getaway for people looking to hike or kayak. Because the Maori consider the mountain a sacred site, you’ll have to book a tour with Kaitiaki Adventures as they are the only company allowed to drive up the mountain. Their crater walks and geothermal tours are incredible.
6. See Velocity Valley Adventure Park
Get your adrenaline rush at Velocity Valley, home to the world’s only human-powered monorail racetrack where you can race your friends. You can also try the Rotorua Bungy, hop aboard the Agrojet for the fastest jet boat experience in the country, or free-fall in the wind tunnel at Freefall Xtreme. The Vertigo drops you 43 meters (141 feet) for a four-second free fall into a safety net below, while the Swoop bungy swing drops you from the height of an 11-story building going from 0 to 130 kph (81 mph) in one second.
7. Relax in Kuirau Park
Kuirau Park is at the northern end of Rotorua and is New Zealand’s only public geothermal park. Follow the walking trails leading down to bubbling, steaming pools of geothermal activity, and observe nature at work from behind the safety of the security fences. You’ll see a crater lake surrounded by manicured green space and flower beds. Take advantage of the free Kuirau Park Footbaths while you’re here. This is a wonderful place to have a picnic or grab a bite from one of the food vendors that show up on Saturdays.
8. Raft the Kaituna
Just outside Rotorua, the raging Kaituna River offers Grade 5 white water rafting. Thrill-seekers can hurtle over the 7-meter (23-foot) Kaituna waterfall, the tallest rafted waterfall in the world. There are a variety of rafting companies to choose from with excursions. These adventures will take you through multiple waterfalls and up to fourteen different sections of rapids. All the training and safety equipment you need will be provided.
9. Enjoy the lakes of Rotorua
While Lake Rotorua is the largest in the area, there are 14 scenic lakes surrounding it making for lots of aquatic adventures. Hop aboard a traditional paddle steamer and cruise around Lake Rotorua (tickets for an hour-long cruise on the Lakeland Queen start at 19 NZD). Swim, relax, and barbecue with friends on Lake Tikitapu, a small circular lake known for its vivid blue color a 15-minute drive from Rotorua. You can enjoy the hot water beach and geothermal pools at Lake Tarawera on Te Rata Bay beach by hiking the trail from Buried Village.
10. See Mokoia
This tiny, uninhabited island is located in the center of Lake Rotorua. It’s a sacred place for Maori as the location of one of their most important legends (the story of the forbidden lovers Hinemoa and Tutanekai). Today the island is a wildlife refuge and home to several rare and endangered bird species. As stewards of the land, there is only one Maori operator that runs tours of the island.
How to Stay Safe in Rotorua
On the whole, New Zealand is a very safe place to backpack and travel and Rotorua is no exception. The town is quiet even on Saturday night. I’ve never felt unsafe here.
Even solo female travelers will feel safe (however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). Be sure to check out the many solo female travel blogs on the country for more information.
If you have a rental vehicle, don’t leave any valuables in it while hiking or overnight. Break-ins are rare but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If you’re going hiking, be sure to check the weather in advance. Always bring water and sunscreen.
If you’re worried about travel scams, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here. There aren’t many in New Zealand though so I wouldn’t worry too much.
If you experience an emergency, dial 111 for assistance.
Always trust your gut instinct and make copies of your important documents.
The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:
Where to Stay in Rotorua
There are only a few hostels in Rotorua since it’s a small town, but there are plenty of affordable accommodations and luxury ones as well. Here are some of my recommended places to stay:
Rotorua Travel Costs
Accommodation
- Hostel Dorms – 40-60 NZD per night
- Hostel private rooms – 100-150 NZD per night
- Budget hotels – 130-170 NZD per night
- Traditional B&Bs – 220-250 NZD per night
- Luxury Hotels – 300+ per night
- Airbnb private rooms – 85-120 NZD per night
- Airbnb apartments – 120-170 NZD per night
- Campsite – 20-25 NZD per night
- Cabins – 60-100 NZD per night
Food
- Cheap eats (sandwiches, pizza) – 15-35 NZD
- Casual take-out places – 30-36 NZD
- Sit-down restaurants – 50-85 NZD
- Fast food (think McDonald’s) – 15 NZD
- Beer – 10 NZD
- Glass of wine – 9-15 NZD
- Cappuccino/latte- 5-6 NZD
- Bottled water – 2 NZD
- Groceries for a week – 120-170 NZD
Rotorua Suggested Budgets
Backpacker – 125 NZD Per Day
If you’re backpacking in Rotorua, this budget covers a hostel dorm, public transportation, cooking most of your meals, and mostly free activities like hiking and visiting Whakarewarewa Forest. If you plan on drinking, add 10-20 NZD per day.
Midrange – 275 NZD Per Day
On a midrange budget, you can stay in a private as well as eat out for most meals at inexpensive places, enjoy a few drinks at the bar, do more paid activities (like zorbing or canopy tours), and take the occasional taxi to get around.
Upscale – 500+ NZD Per Day
On a “luxury” budget, you can stay in one of the more upscale hotels, eat out for all your meals, enjoy more drinks, do any activity, and rent a car to get around. This is just the ground floor for luxury — the sky is the limit here!
Rotorua Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips
Like the rest of New Zealand, costs can rack up quickly in Rotorua. Here are a few ways to save money when you visit:
Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water is safe in New Zealand so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic consumption. For extra security, use a LifeStraw bottle as it has a built-in filter to ensure your water is always safe.
See the free geysers – A lot of people pay to visit Te Puia, and while the hot springs and geysers there are nice, you can walk around town and see plenty for free. Save your money for a Maori show.
Cook your own food – Restaurants in New Zealand are not cheap. If you want to save your budget cook your own meals. It’s not fancy, but it will save you a ton!
Reedeem hotel points – Sign up for hotel credit cards and use those points to cover your accommodations when you travel. You’ll get 1-2 nights free with most cards just for signing up, which can save a lot of your budget. This post will help you understand the basics so you can start earning points right away and have plenty for your trip.
Stay with a local – While there are not many Couchsurfing hosts available in the area there are still some. Try staying with a local to cut down on your accommodation costs. You’ll also get some valuable insight into the area from a local!
Get a Bee Card – The Bee Card will save you 20% on your bus rides. The card costs 5 NZD to get, but you’ll save that much with your rides, especially if you use your card in Nelson and Queenstown (there are 10 total regions that use this card). You can order a card online or pick one up at designated retailers in the area.
Stay in a campervan – Exploring New Zealand via campervan is a popular way to save money and Rotorua is very motorhome friendly. Download the Campermates app to find campsites, gas stations, and dump stations.
Avoid the high season – Prices will be higher during the summer months (December through February) so avoid peak tourist season if you can!
Get a Rotorua Super Pass – If you plan to do a lot of the major attractions in the area, this pass can save you over paying for each one individually. There are three different passes to choose from that include attractions like the Skyline Rotorua Gondola and the Polynesian Spa.
WWOOF it – WWOOFing is a great way to work for your accommodation and food. In return for working on a farm or B&B, you get free food and board. It’s a popular activity with travelers because it lets you stay in a place cheaper and longer. You can do it for a few days or a few months. Keep in mind that most farms will require you to have some experience, as too many inexperienced workers have caused trouble in the past.
Find cheap activities – The bookme.co.nz website provides last-minute discounts on activities (and pub crawls) throughout the country. Most of the activities are last minute, but if you’re flexible in when you want to do things, you can save up to 60% off attractions! I can’t recommend it enough.
Hitchhike – If you’re heading out of town, hitchhiking is common and surprisingly easy on the main roads. It’s perfectly safe too! HitchWiki has helpful tips for hitchhiking in New Zealand.
How to Get Around in Rotorua
Rotorua is small and can be walked easily (it takes about 20 minutes to walk from end to end). Here’s how to get around while you’re here:
Public transportation – The bus system is called the Rotorua Urban. It has 11 bus routes that run seven days a week. A one-way fare costs 2.80 NZD. With a Bee Card (a prepaid card you can purchase for 5 NZD) you can lower your fares to 2.24 NZD.
Day passes are 7 NZD.
Bike rental – Bike rentals are available for 70 NZD per day. E-bikes start at 110 NZD per half-day.
Taxis – Taxis here are super expensive. Rides start at 3 NZD and go up 2.90 NZD per kilometer. Avoid them! if you can!
Ridesharing – Uber is now in Rotorua and it’s generally cheaper than taxis. Prices add up fast though so skip them if you can.
Car rental – Car rentals aren’t super cheap here, usually costing around 50 NZD per day for a multi-day rental. However, having a car gives you the flexibility to explore the surrounding area, so if you can split the cost with others, it can be worth it. Otherwise, if you’re doing adventure activities, most offer pickup/dropoff to your accommodation. Prices drop if you book out of Auckland.
For the best prices, use Discover Cars. You can get a free quote using this widget:
When to Go to Rotorua
Because New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, the peak season (summer) happens during the months of December-February. During this time, the average daily temperature hovers between 20-25°C (68-77°F). Kiwis take their vacations during these months so some adventure activities might book up in advance here. Velocity Valley Adventure Park will be particularly busy.
Winter is from June-August and is the best time to visit if you’re into snow sports. In winter, Rotorua’s temperatures range from 9°C to -16°C (48-60°F).
The most pleasant time of year to visit is March through May when the crowds have lessened. That said, because of New Zealand’s temperate climate and the consistent heat of the hot springs, there is never a bad time to visit Rotorua!
Rotorua Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources
These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.
- Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
- Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
- Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
- Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
- EatWith – This website allows you to eat home cooked meal with locals. Locals post listings for dinner parties and specialty meals that you can sign up for. There is a fee (everyone sets their own price) but this is a great way to do something different, pick a local’s brain, and make a new friend.
- bookme.co.nz – You’ll get some really good last minute deals and discounts on this website! Just select what area you’re traveling in, and see what activities are on sale.
- treatme.co.nz – The locals use this website to find discount hotels, restaurants, and tours. You can save up to 50% off things like catamaran sailing lessons or three-course dinners.
- SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
- LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
- Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
- Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
Rotorua Travel Guide: Related Articles
Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Rotorua travel and continue planning your trip:
