Best Things To Do in Rotorua, New Zealand

Are you looking for what to do in Rotorua?

WHAT TO SEE

  • Buried Village of Tei Wairoa
  • Tamaki Maori Village
  • Hobbiton Movie Set
  • Blue Baths
  • Blue and Green Lakes
  • Matariki Hangi & Maori Cultural Performance
  • Hell’s Gate
  • Wingspan Birds of Prey Center
  • Agrodome
  • Rotorua Museum
  • Waimangu Volcanic Valley
  • Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park
  • Government Gardens
  • Ruatapu Cave
  • Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
  • St Faith’s Church
  • Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park
  • Lake Rotorua
  • New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute
  • The White Island
  • The Tikitere

Things to Do

  • Soak in a naturally occurring hot water springs in one of the many Rotorua’s thermal attractions.
  • Rejuvenate your skin in the mineral-rich mud pools.
  • Indulge in Miri miri – a massage technique passed down for ages by the Maori for healing the body and mind.
  • Explore the traditional Maori cuisine.
  • Take a ride in Shweeb – the world’s only human powered monorail race track.
  • Go fishing on The Hot Water Beach and have a fish baked by the natural heat of the sand.
  • Mountain biking in the Whakarewarewa forest is another fun-filled activity in Rotorua for kids and adults alike.
  • Try white water rafting or sledging in any one of the three rivers around Rotorua.
  • Fly in the hovercraft.
  • Book a luxurious cruise on any of the numerous lakes around Rotorua.
  • Trekking the local forest in the local forest and exploring the native plants is a must do thing in Rotorua.
  • Do take a trip to the Agroventures Adventure Park which offers five iconic and unique rides.
  • With some of the best fishing spots in the world, a fishing session is also a must.
  • Visit the Mitai Maori Village to experience the local indigenous culture up close and enjoy the traditional meal.
  • Enjoy a scenic ride in a RailCruiser.
  • Go on Rotorua Duck Tours – a ride on water and land in one of WWII amphibious crafts, affectionately called a duck.
  • Go drive a luge in Skyline – another spectacular attraction in Rotorua.
  • Go on a fun-filled ride in a Zorb.
  • Try the forest-themed obstruction course at Adrenalin Forest.
  • Let the kids lose in PlayTopia – an indoor playground designed with keeping the little devils safe and entertained.
  • Go kayaking in the local lakes and explore the glowworm caves.

Below we have a list of things to do in Rotorua and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Rotorua getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Rotorua with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Rotorua

Here is the list of things to do in Rotorua and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland

    Outdoors, Nature, Volcano

    Waiotapu really looks like a wonderland, with vividly colored pools, changing landscapes, volcanic craters, steaming geysers and bubbling mud pools. One of the most colorful attractions in New Zealand, the area is best known for the flamboyantly colored Artist's Palette pool and the very dramatic Champagne Pool. The area also has the Lady Knox Geyser, which erupts daily at 10:15 AM, reaching a ...Read more
  2. Hobbiton Movie Set

    Outdoors, Ranch, Garden, Architecture

    A delight to any fan of Lord of the Rings, this little tour is a perfect way to live the fantasy in real life. Parts of the movie were shot in this little piece of Kiwi farmland and the set stands today as a treasured memoir – complete with hobbit holes, Party Tree, Green Dragon Hill, double arched bridges and the alluring gardens. Utterly enticing, the set is also a must-see for those no...Read more
  3. Skyline Rotorua

    4.5 (1516 Votes)
    Skyline Rotorua

    View Point, Observatory, Entertainment, Cable Car

    Skyline Rotorua is a park offering unique and unforgettable experiences. A visitor can sit in a gondola high up in the sky and take in the spectacular views of the city, Lake Rotorua and the surroundings. Those looking for a rush can get their fix on the luge tracks or the zoom ziplines. Sky swing rides, mountain biking or a walk through the local flora are also immensely enjoyable. Lastly, the...Read more
  4. Te Puia

    4.5 (1142 Votes)
    Te Puia

    Outdoors, Volcano

    Home of the world famous Pohutu geyser, the Four Feathers geyser and Waikite geyser and many more the Te Puia has a lot more to explore. Like the geysers, bubbling mud pools abound in this region, with the mud sometimes as viscous as tar or thin like syrup. Visitors have the option to take a guided tour and listen to the fascinating stories and history of the region or simply start exploring, a...Read more
  5. Tamaki Maori Village

    Outdoors, Village, Food And Drinks, Performance

    A step into this village is akin to stepping back in time - when the Maoris dominated the region and flourished with the wildlife. With traditional performances, feasts and ceremonies celebrated by the entire village, this attraction is more than an experience you will remember for your entire life. Listen to the traditional Maori stories and songs, participate in their dance, watch the weapons...Read more
  6. Waitomo Caves

    Cave, Historical Site, Adventure

    Watch as hundreds of little glowworms emit their bluish glow on the roof of these caves as your guide takes you through the fascinating history of the region. Resembling a night sky, these little creatures are not the only attraction here, as the stalactites and stalagmites here have their own spooky beauty. The adventurers can also go black water rafting, zip-lining or abseiling in the depths ...Read more
  7. The Polynesian Spa

    Leisure, Spa

    Spend a day of relaxation and de-stressing in this world renowned spa and one of the first of Rotorua’s many tourist attractions. Attracting travelers since ages for the healing and rejuvenating properties of its water, the spa uses two types of naturally occurring mineral waters and offers a variety of massage therapies and services. Alternately you can also soak in one of its mineral po...Read more
  8. Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park

    Wildlife Park, Bird Watching

    Visitors get to see the curious little Kiwis playing around at this park. Also of interest are the Tuatara - a creature from the times of the dinosaurs besides trouts, long finned eels, brookchar and native birds like the Moa, Banded Rail, Tui, etc. But the biggest attraction here might be the Big Splash - a ride that will get your adrenalin and brain cells running.
  9. Waimangu Volcanic Valley

    4.6 (999 Votes)
    Waimangu Volcanic Valley

    Observatory, Valley, Bird Watching

    A must see attraction when visiting Rotorua, the Waimangu Voclacanic Valley is said to be the youngest geothermal system. Many highly rated and internationally acclaimed geothermal features such as the Inferno Crater Lake and the rather appropriately named Frying Pan Lake dot the valley. There are various trails for you to explore, with a free guide to inform you about the particular structures...Read more
  10. Whakarewarewa Thermal Village

    Art And Culture, Outdoors, Village, Food And Drinks

    Whakarewarewa is a living Maori village situated in a geothermal active zone. A visitor here can experience both - the geothermal wonders of New Zealand and an intimate look at the lives, culture and traditions of the Maoris. There are also Maori cultural performances and foods cooked in the traditional Hangi way.
  11. Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park

    Wildlife Park, Zoo

    Located just 10 minutes drive away from Rotorua, this park combines the experience of a petting farm and excitement of visiting a zoo. Stocked with native as well as exotic wildlife, you can get close and personal with wallabies, deer, pigs, sheep, etc. Watch Keas, New Zealand's parrots, as they hop around on the tree tops, or rainbow and brown trout swim in the Ngongotaha stream. And last but ...Read more
  12. Orakei Korako Thermal Park

    Outdoors, Cave, Park, Walking Area

    A geothermal park with the amazing Ruatapu cave, hot water geysers, bubbling mud pools, glistening silica terraces and steam snaking out of the hills. Once called 'The Hidden Valley', the vivid colors of the terraces, cyanobacteria and the dense fauna make a walk through the valley a truly unique experience.
  13. Ruatapu Cave

    Outdoors, Cave, Lake, Hill

    One of New Zealand's many wonders, the Ruatapo Cave is one of only two caves in the world located in an active geothermal zone. It extends to over 40 ft., with a vertical drop of 23 ft. and ends in a shallow pool of sulphuric water, called 'The Pool of Mirror' for its reflective and clear water.
  14. Buried Village Of Tei Wairoa

    Outdoors, Village, Walking Area

    Tei Waiora, once settled by Europeans and Maoris was destroyed by the eruption of Mt Tarawera, taking with it the lives of over 120 people. It also obliterated the pink and white terraces – marble like terraces often called the 8th wonder of the world. The village was later excavated by the Smith family and visitors can view the ruins of houses, stores, hotels and even a flour mill. Also ...Read more
  15. Agrodome

    4.4 (245 Votes)
    Agrodome

    Outdoors, Ranch, Farm

    An amazing experience for people from all walks of life, The Agrodome gives you a glimpse of life on a typical Kiwi farm. An award winning show encompassing sheep shearing, cow milking and sheep dogs at the center is a must watch. Visitors get numerous opportunities to pet and feed the farm animals. They also get to visit the orchard where they can learn about organic fruit cultivation and tast...Read more