Best Places to Visit in Rotorua

The geothermal wonderland, Wai-O-Tapu, is one of the fascinating sculptures created after years of volcanic activity. It is most likely the only place that perfectly showcases New Zealand’s geothermal topography. Filled with sulphur mud baths, geysers and brightly coloured pools, this place has one of the highest geothermal ratings in the world. So, for those deeply interested in seeing geothermal activity, this is just the right place for you.

Amid native trees, forests, and natural springs in Rotorua is the Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park, surrounded by the beautiful flora and fauna of New Zealand. This park is home to the world’s largest kiwi hatchery and the ‘Big Splash’ ride, which are the main attractions here. Also, the encounters with the parakeets, geckos and dinosaur descendants, tuataras add to the beautiful experience.

Timings : 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (last entry 5:00 p.m.)
Entry Fee : Adult: NZD 40, Senior: NZD 36 and Children (aged 5-15 years) NZD 20. Children below 5 years - Free

Kuirau Park at the northern end of Rotorua, New Zealand, is a geothermal site with hot springs, mud pools, crater lakes and gardens. This park is a public space with walking tracks leading to the geothermal areas and providing the visitors with exciting and mesmerising sights of the boiling lakes and foot pools. Along with this, the park has other recreational activities like barbecues, playgrounds and paddling pools available and is a popular tourist attraction in the area.

Timings : 24/7
Entry Fee : No entry fees.

Regarded to be the second largest lake in the North Island of New Zealand, the lake of Rotorua is one of the prime tourist attractions for people visiting the city of Rotorua in New Zealand. It stretches for about 79.8 square kilometres and has a depth of 10 meters. The city of Rotorua is located on the lake's southern shore, and the town of Ngongotaha is on the western coast of the same.

Located in the geothermal region of Rotorua, New Zealand, Whakarewarewa takes pride in being known as the only Living Māori Village in the country. This village is home to the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, who have continued to host visitors on their land for over two centuries, with fun-filled activities like the cultural experience, which includes performances of Poi and Haka dancing, the geothermal hangi experience and the hangi pie experience.

Located at a stretch of 350 acres of lush farming plain, Rotorua, New Zealand’s Agrodome, is a large centre offering a fulfilling experience to see the farming and animal rearing culture at a close, personal level. It is a frequently visited attraction of Rotorua where visitors come to see the Farm Show and the Farmyard Nursery and take a tour of the entire Farmland that would comprise you strolling through the lush green plains.

Waimangu Volcanic Valley, one of the youngest geothermal hot springs in New Zealand, is now becoming one of the typical tourist attractions in the country. One can enjoy a range of self-guided tours among volcanic craters, hot springs and wildlife. This attraction represents the volcanic eruption of Mt. Tarawera and how it affected this area's people and landscape.

Timings : 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Entry Fee : NZD 40 (Per Adult)NZD 12.5 (per child)

Mount Tarawera is a famous attraction in Rotorua, New Zealand. It is an active volcano where some of the country’s most significant and destructive eruptions have occurred in the past — the notable ones being those that destroyed the Pink and White Terraces of Mount Tarawera. At present, the attraction is famous for hikes and a stunning view of Rotorua from the top of the mountain.

Timings : 24/7
Entry Fee : No entry fees.

Located as a part of the Skyline Gondola Complex with its Tasting room situated at the top of the complex, Volcanic Hills Winery is everything the name suggests. There is an eclectic range of award-winning wines to choose from; there is a tasting room at a sky-high level and a stunning panoramic view of the Rotorua lakes looking over.

Timings : 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Bundled amidst beautiful lakeside scenery and boiling water vents is the village of Ohinemutu in Rotorua, New Zealand. Once the central area for the region of Rotorua, this Maori village is home to the Ngati Whakaue tribe with a population of less than three hundred. An attraction site with historically magnificent highlights, the places to check out in Ohinemutu are the Tamatekapua meeting house and the St. Faith’s Church.

Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, established in 1972, are a complex of 10 different pools. 'Living water' of the Te Manarola spring can be experienced here. Te Manaroa spring is the largest single source of 100% pure boiling water in New Zealand. This water, naturally laden with calcite and sulphur free, comes directly from the depths of the earth.

Time Required : 10:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Paradise Valley Springs is a popular wildlife park in Rotorua, New Zealand. It is one of the many tourist attractions that people visit to escape their hectic lives and feel close to nature. The 48-acre reserve is a well-maintained facility where wildlife can thrive in the native bush environment, and people visiting can observe and study them. In addition, the place has several freshwater springs, home to a large population of freshwater trout.

Timings : 8 AM - 5 PM
Entry Fee : NZD 30 - Adult; NZD 15 - Child; NZD 82.50 - Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children)

Overlooking the Rotorua Museum on the lake’s edge in North Island, New Zealand, are the beautiful Government Gardens (Paepaekumanu). This site was a gift to the British Crown by the local Ngati Whakaue tribe and stands today as a symbol of both the Maori and English culture. Today, the Museum, Blue Baths, Klamath Falls Rose Gardens, Te Runanga Tea Pavillion and Band Rotunda located in the gardens are the heritage tourist attractions to visit while in Rotorua, New Zealand.

Timings : 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Entry Fee : No entry fees.

TePuia is the hub of New Zealand’s Maori culture and thermal hot springs. It covers an area of 70 hectares in the Whakarewarewa Valley, located at the edge of town in Rotorua. It houses the world-renowned Pohutu geyser, followed by hot springs, mud pots, silica formations, and much more. There are national schools of wood carving, stone and bone carving, and weaving.

Timings : 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Entry Fee : NZD 51 - NZD 153

A century-old village, ruined due to a fatal volcanic eruption, namely the volcano of Mount of Tarawera on June 10th, 1886, now lies in fragments and desert along the coast of Lake Tarawera in New Zealand’s North Island. The spot is now a rage for tourists wide across for its local anecdotes, the fragmented relics of the past and excavation discoveries.

Timings : 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (March - September); 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (October - February)
Entry Fee : NZD 34 - Adult; Free - Child