Rotorua Travelers Recommend

The Maori people place special importance on the social and cultural aspects of the hangi—a traditional feast not unlike the Hawaiian luau or other Polynesian customs found in the Pacific. While hangi meals regularly take place in gathering houses (marae) across New Zealand, many that welcome visitors happen in the cultural center of Rotorua.

What Is a Hangi? Hangi-like cooking has been happening in New Zealand for centuries. When laying down a hangi, wood is set ablaze to heat stones set in a large pit dug in the ground. Food is wrapped in moist leaves or placed in wire baskets, then covered for several hours to cook. Today, some hangi presentations involve removing the food from this earthen oven (umu) before sharing the bounty with hungry attendees.

Highlights

• Hangi typically include foods such as sweet potato (kumara), carrots, lamb, and chicken.
• The enriching hangi experience often starts off with an authentic welcome ceremony.
• Pair your meal with a village tour to learn more about Maori history and customs.
• Opt for a feast that follows a riveting performance of traditional song and dance.

You don’t have to look far to experience Rotorua’s geothermal wonders—hissing geyers and bubbling mud pools can be found all around the city. Visits to Rotorua’s natural hot springs are also a popular pastime. Here are some of the best options. 

Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley

Located in Te Puia, just south of Rotorua, the Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley is renowned for its steaming vents, boiling mud pools, and Pohutu and Te Horu geysers. While you’re there, spot Kiwi birds, enjoy a cultural performance at the Te Puia Maori Arts and Culture Institute, and sample some traditional food cooked in the steaming hot springs.

Wai-o-Tapu

Drive along the Thermal Highway and enjoy views of Tarawera Volcano; marvel at the Lady Knox Geyser and mud pools in the Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland; then stop at Wai-o-Tapu Bridge to take a dip in the steamy thermal waters. Half- and full-day tours of Wai-o-Tapu from Rotorua are often combined with a tour of the Hobbiton movie set or a visit to the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley.

Waikite Valley

En route to Taupo, the Waikite Valley thermal pools are a top spot for families with private pools and facilities, a campground, eco-trail, and 100 percent natural geothermal waters, renowned for their high mineral content. Nearby, the warm waters of Kerosene Creek are also a popular spot for swimming and bathing. 

Lake Rotorua

The shores of Lake Rotorua are teeming with natural hot springs and thermal spas. After enjoying a cruise around the lake, head to the Te Kohanga area, soak in the hot springs at Kuirau Park, or pamper yourself at a luxurious spa like the Polynesian Spa or Hell’s Gate, set in the Tikitere geothermal area between Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti.

Two days in Rotorua is ample time to expand your reach to a multitude of natural and cultural attractions around the New Zealand city. Get a lay of the land in a variety of ways, from relaxing strolls alongside gurgling hot pools to sky-high adventures over a stunning geothermal landscape. Here’s how to make the most of a 2-day stay.

Day 1: Exploring Around Town

Morning: Discover the features that make Rotorua famous while city sightseeing with a guide who points out historical landmarks. Then head past town borders to the boiling mud pools and geysers of the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. After your on-the-ground introduction, ride the Skyline Rotorua Gondola for panoramic views.

Afternoon: Kids love observing the wildlife at Rainbow Springs Nature Park, which includes the Kiwi Encounter and a water ride on the Big Splash. Alternatively, take part in farm life at the Rotorua Agrodome. A visit to the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute lets you watch your steam lunch being cooked the traditional way.

Night: Spend the evening digging into a hangi (pit-oven–cooked) feast, served buffet-style at a marae (traditional Maori meeting grounds). Take the family to watch a cultural performance that starts with a welcome ceremony and leads to spirited singing and haka war dances—a great way to learn about the indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Day 2: Aerial and Aquatic Adventures

Morning: A duck tour provides informative narration on city landmarks, including the Blue Baths building located in the Government Gardens, followed by a splash into Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Lake Okareka. For something a little more exciting, zip around Lake Rotorua on an exhilarating jet-boat ride.

Afternoon: See the stunning Lakes District from the air and snap pics of clear and colorful waterways, including Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake), during a scenic float-plane ride. View Mt. Tarawera, the Steaming Cliffs, and the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. The water take-off and landing can’t be beat!

Night: Finally, it’s time to relax. Visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland if you want to see more bubbling pools and gushing geysers, or simply soak in one of the many thermal spas. Another alternative for weary travelers is the Polynesian Spa, with a variety of developed mineral pools—both public and private.

Three days in geothermal Rotorua is plenty of time to venture around town and beyond, including day trips. A choice of extreme adventures lies at your fingertips, while a selection of thermal spas to soak weary muscles is available day or night. Here are some options to ensure you get the most out of New Zealand’s so-called Sulphur City.

Day 1: Rotorua Must-Sees and Maori Culture

Immerse yourself in the scenic beauty, long history, and rich culture of Rotorua today. Start with a city sightseeing tour to get oriented to historical landmarks such as the Government Gardens and popular natural attractions including Lake Rotorua. An amphibious duck tour gets you out on the water for a shift in perspective, while the Skyline Rotorua Gondola provides magnificent panoramic views from above. After lunch, experience one of Rotorua’s top draws: Maori culture. Traditional performances most often include a greeting ceremony, singing, and haka war dances combined with a hangi feast (cooked in a pit oven). You’ll be immersed in the lives and history of New Zealand’s indigenous people at a local marae, or Maori village meeting grounds.

Day 2: Geothermal Lakes and Bubbling Pools

Rotorua is best known for its thermal activity. Drive through farmland and native forests to the boiling mud pool and colorful hot springs at Wai-O-Tapu, and combine your adventure with a day trip to the Lord of the Rings Hobbiton set. Alternatively, take a guided tour of geysers and hot pools at Te Puia and Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, plus experience traditional culture at the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. The buried village of Te Wairoa also takes you deep into the region’s geothermal past. If an evening soak is your preference, join a kayaking expedition on Lake Rotoiti and paddle to the hot pools located at the edge of the bay. Glowworm caves illuminate the scene day or night at this spectacular location just outside Rotorua.

Day 3: Extreme Rotorua: Adventure and Adrenaline

Those who fancy a more intense thrill don’t have to travel far. Helicopter tours and seaplane flights take you soaring over the Lakes District, forests, and the volcanic fault line—some even fly over an active volcano. Land on White Island, the most continuously active of New Zealand's volcanoes, and take a guided trek up to the steaming crater. Or do the Zorb, a large inflatable plastic bubble that you ride in down a hill—totally addictive and unmissable. If you’re ready for more aquatic adventures, try white-water rafting on the Kaituna River or the easier Rangitaiki River. Attempt black-water rafting into the Black Abyss on a day trip to the Waitomo Caves, or simply relax during a boat ride under the glowworms. River sledging and jet-boat rides get you spinning on the water too. Of course, family-friendly venues such as Rainbow Springs Nature Park and the unique Agrodome farm experience offer more mellow options.

Rotorua and its surroundings have something for everyone, from geothermal wonders and luxurious mud baths to Maori cultural experiences and adrenaline-fueled activities. This remarkable area on New Zealand’s North Island is the place to head for natural beauty, adventure, and relaxation—or all three. Here’s how to maximize one day there.

Morning: Sightsee with a Guide

Begin your 24 hours in Rotorua with a half-day sightseeing tour—a perfect introduction to all the top sights. Visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley and witness the powerful eruption of Pohutu, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere. Discover sheep shearing at the Agrodome, and top if all off with a ride on the Rotorua Skyline Gondola. If that’s all too much to pack in, choose between an amphibious duck tour on land and lakes, or take a jet-boat ride that zips you at high-speed around Lake Rotorua. All guided tour options include informative narration on points of interest.

Afternoon: Explore Geothermal Activity

Head to Kuirau Park—New Zealand’s only geothermal public park—located in the city center, where a crater lake and steamy (and free) foot baths await. For a different experience, gain admission to the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and wait for Lady Knox geyser to erupt while you explore the pathways or visitor center. An alternative plan drops you off by jet boat at Orakei Korako to stroll the geyser fields of the geothermal park. For the ultimate adventure, soar over the Waimangu Volcanic Valley aboard a seaplane. The scenic views of Mt. Tarawera and the Blue and Green Lakes will astound you.

Night: Experience Maori Culture or Glowworm Caves

Spend the evening at Te Puia cultural center. Here you are immersed in Maori culture during an exhilarating performance in a marae (traditional meeting grounds), and are welcomed to a hangi feast, cooked in a pit oven. Guided excursions usually offer convenient pickup from centrally located Rotorua hotels. If you’d rather go farther afield, check out the glowworm caves located at the edge of Lake Rotoiti: ride a boat or paddle in a kayak to a series of hot spring pools at the lake’s edge. Bring a bathing suit and soak under the stars.