2 days
Photo: Christian Mehlführer, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia CommonsRotorua
The North Island
Rotorua sits on one of the world's most active geothermal fields, so steam rises from parks, drains and lakeshores all over town. It's also the centre of Te Arawa culture and the best place in New Zealand to experience Maori hospitality.
Things to do
- Te Puia: The Pohutu geyser, mud pools and the national schools of Maori carving and weaving.
- Wai-O-Tapu: The Champagne Pool, the Artist's Palette and the Lady Knox Geyser each morning.
- Whakarewarewa village: A living village where families cook in the hot springs.
- Cultural evening: Haka, songs, stories and a hangi dinner cooked in the earth.
- Redwoods Treewalk: Suspension bridges among giant redwoods, lit at night.
- Hot pools: Lakeside geothermal spas and natural streams.
Practical information
| Getting there | About 3 hours from Auckland, 1 hour from Hobbiton and Taupo |
| Cultural evening | About NZ$150 to 250 |
| Best months | All year; geothermal steam is most dramatic on cold mornings |
Tip: Arrive at Wai-O-Tapu before 10am to see the Lady Knox Geyser, which is set off each morning.
When to go
Rotorua is good all year. Summer is warm and busy; winter mornings are cold, which makes the geothermal steam even more dramatic and the hot pools more inviting. School holidays fill the family attractions.
Honest downsides
Many attractions charge separate, fairly high entry fees, so costs add up quickly. The sulphur smell is strongest near the lake and geothermal parks. Choose one geothermal park and one cultural experience rather than trying to see everything.
Where it is
Multi-day tours that visit Rotorua
Every tour here includes Rotorua in its itinerary. Best rated first.
2 days
2 days
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3 days
3 daysCombine it with
Hobbiton Movie Set
The Shire from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, on a working farm near Matamata.
Visitor guide →Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Drift by boat beneath thousands of glowing lights in a limestone cave.
Visitor guide →Tongariro Alpine Crossing
UNESCOA 20 km volcanic day hike past the Red Crater and Emerald Lakes.
Visitor guide →Rather have a trip to New Zealand made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Rotorua: questions
Is a Maori cultural evening worth it?
Yes for most visitors: a welcome ceremony, songs, haka and a hangi meal give a real introduction to Maori culture.
How many days do you need in Rotorua?
Two nights: time for a geothermal park, a cultural evening and a relaxed soak.
Why does Rotorua smell?
Hydrogen sulphide from the geothermal activity. Most visitors stop noticing it quickly.