Rotorua

Travel Guide

Rotorua which includes a hot spring
Rotorua which includes forests as well as a small group of people
Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest which includes forests, night scenes and a suspension bridge or treetop walkway
Rotorua
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland featuring a hot spring and views as well as a small group of people

Rotorua Travel Guide Video

Visitors flock to this geothermal site to enjoy its hot springs, mud pools, watersports and fascinating Maori culture.

Rotorua, which sits squarely on the Volcanic Plateau and the Pacific Rim of Fire, is built over one of the world’s geothermal hotspots. Large numbers of visitors come to Rotorua every year for its numerous geothermal attractions, as well as its Maori cultural heritage and wide choice of adventure sports.The city sits on the shore of Rotorua Lake in the Bay of Plenty area on New Zealand’s North Island. The area is well known for trout fishing and boating opportunities. Rent fishing equipment or enquire about local tour operators in town.Many of the famous hot springs, colorful crater lakes and bubbling pools are located in parks and reserves such as Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Soak in a geothermal mud bath, marvel at geysers erupting almost 100 feet (30 meters) into the air, and take a scenic flight to nearby White Island, the country’s only active marine volcano.Make time for a visit to The Buried Village. It was covered with ash when adjacent Mount Tarawera erupted in 1886. Today, the site has a museum, nature trail and teahouse. Nearby Rainbow Springs Nature Park has beautifully sculptured ponds filed with fish. See Kiwi birds and other creatures native to New Zealand.Discover the culture of the Te Arawa people, who settled in the area more than 600 years ago. At Tamaki Maori Village, see how villagers used the hot springs to bathe and do laundry. Try a hangi feast, which is cooked by steaming the food in the ground, and watch performances of Maori songs and war dance.Adventure seekers will find plenty of things to do in Rotorua. Try skydiving, mountain biking, whitewater rafting or zorbing. Activites are organised by various operators around the city. In winter, head for the North Island’s ski slopes, easily accessed via Rotorua’s international airport.

Where to stay in Rotorua

Four of a kind

Owhata

If you're spending some time in Owhata, Lake Rotorua and Haiku Pathway are top sights worth seeing.

Owhata
Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve which includes a river or creek and a bridge

Whakarewarewa

The panoramic lake views and luxurious spas are just a few highlights of Whakarewarewa. Make a stop by Whakarewarewa: The Living Maori Village or Te Puia New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute while you're exploring the area.

Whakarewarewa
Lake Okareka showing a lake or waterhole

Lake Okareka

Travelers like the parks in Lake Okareka, and Lake Okareka is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Lake Okareka
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Lynmore

While Lynmore might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest and Polynesian Spa.

Lynmore
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Victoria

Victoria might not have many top sights, but Rotorua Central Mall and Rotorua Night Market are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Victoria
Ngongotaha

Ngongotaha

Ngongotaha is noteworthy for its lake views, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Agrodome and Lake Rotorua.

Ngongotaha
Arawa Park Hotel

Arawa Park Hotel

4 out of 5
272 Fenton St, Rotorua
$65 nightly
The price is $74 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$74 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,010 reviews)
"The property is conveniently located, though a car is still needed to get into town. The room was spacious, clean, and quiet, with comfortable beds, good heating, and a sizeable fridge. The furnishings were older than expected, but this wasn’t an issue. The bathtub had spa jets that didn’t work — ..."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Arawa Park Hotel
JetPark Hotel Rotorua

JetPark Hotel Rotorua

4 out of 5
237 Fenton Street, Corner Victoria Street, Rotorua
$87 nightly
The price is $101 total per night from Aug 15 to Aug 16
$101 total
Aug 15 - Aug 16
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
"Very welcoming, lovely knowledge staff, large room, clean and tidy, big shower. Easy to find, close to shopping mall and to central to everything."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

JetPark Hotel Rotorua
Marsden Stay Rotorua

Marsden Stay Rotorua

3 out of 5
273 Fenton St, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
$51 nightly
The price is $59 total per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
$59 total
Jul 16 - Jul 17
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Polynesian Spa and Skyline Rotorua are located ...
7.2/10 Good! (205 reviews)
"Great Location."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Marsden Stay Rotorua
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Quest Rotorua Central

Quest Rotorua Central

4 out of 5
1192 Hinemoa Street, Rotorua
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,039 reviews)
"Excellent service and room was very clean"

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

Quest Rotorua Central
Alpin Motel & Conference Centre

Alpin Motel & Conference Centre

4 out of 5
16 Sala Street, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
Stay at this 4-star golf aparthotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private hot tubs. Popular attractions Polynesian Spa and Skyline Rotorua are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (603 reviews)
"Staff were super friendly, the location, the room it was all perfect, the kids loved the hot tub and being close to the pool. We know where we will be staying next time we are in Rotorua :)"

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Alpin Motel & Conference Centre
Kings On Peace

Kings On Peace

4 out of 5
4A Peace Street, Fenton Park, Rotorua
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (227 reviews)
"Great family stay - clean and well equipped apartment, easy and friendly check in, good facilities"

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Kings On Peace
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Rotorua

To get the most out of your time in Rotorua you’ll want to be able to explore the countryside at will, which means renting a car is the best option; numerous international rental companies operate in town. For public transportation, the green CityRide bus services can be a convenient way of getting around, while taxis are easy to come by, too. Walking is the best way to experience Rotorua’s beautiful lakes and forests. Visit the Ministry of Transport Opens in a new window website.Browse Rotorua rental cars.

Best time to visit

Given that Rotorua is all about exploring the great outdoors, the weather will be an important factor in the timing of your trip. The summer months of January to March have beautiful weather, with temperatures from around 69 to 84 F (21 to 29 C). This is also the busiest time. For smaller crowds, consider visiting in spring. Autumn is the wettest season, while winter is chilly, but not extremely so.

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