6 Rotorua Highlights

People will tell you that you know you have arrived in Rotorua before you get there. The sulphur laced air of this major geothermal region wafts up the highway to welcome you to this exciting destination.

Most of our New Zealand tours that take you through the North Island stop in Rotorua and offer tours to the key attractions. You may also get free time in Rotorua when you can explore independently or on an optional tour offered by your tour operator. Before you make your own plans, check your tour itinerary for the excursions that are included or offered in your trip.

Here are some of our favourite Rotorua experiences.

Geothermal Wonders

Te Puia is the quintessential Rotorua experience and offered on most tours that pass through Rotorua. It’s here you will witness the regular eruptions of the Pohutu geyser, the bubbling Te Horu geyser, also known as The Cauldron, and Ng?raratuatara or cooking pool into which flax baskets are lowered to cook the fresh foods they contain. Walk beside bubbling black mud pools that wobble and spurt all day. You can experience Te Puia by day or at night.

Wai-o-Tapu

A short drive south of Rotorua, is another extraordinary thermal wonderland, Wai-o-Tapu. Follow the boardwalk past amazing geothermal pools of extraordinary colours. Be mesmerised by the colours and steaming serenity of the Champagne Pool, the naturally formed Sinter Terraces and the multi coloured Artists Palette. Watch the Lady Knox Geyser erupt up to 20 metres. The belching earth of the largest mud pool in the region is also found here.

Government Gardens

Walk the cultural heritage trail to explore the many significant sites in the Government House Gardens. Find numerous Maori carvings and contemporary sculptures on the sculpture trail. Walk through the Princes Gate, get up close to the natural, geothermal, Rachel Pool. Visit the Rotorua Museum on the site of the old Bath House.

Maori Culture

At Whakarewarewa you will be guided through life in the geothermal village by a Maori guide. It is a living village. Experience a hangi cooked in the bubbling pools and earth, learn how to weave flax and have your personalised moko (tattoo) designed. Another living village, a 10 minute walk from Rotorua is the M?ori village of Ohinemutu on the shore of Lake Rotorua. Visitors are welcome to follow the paths to admire the intricate external carvings of the Marae and Meeting house, view cooking arrangements over the boiling hot water vents and the outdoor bathing sheds.

Hot Pools

Rotorua is the place to have a relaxing soak. Indulge in the warm, relaxing benefits of water heated naturally by the geothermal activity underground. The Polynesian Pools are renowned for their warm mineral waters that feed from two separate springs into 28 pools. Soothe your muscles in the waters from the Priest Spring or soften your skin in the waters of the Rachel Spring. Or indulge in spa package that includes massage and mud therapies.

The Blue Baths at the Government Gardens are geothermally heated. Soak away your aches and cares in the two hot soak pools, where the temperatures vary between a warm 37°C and 42°C.

The Agrodome

Experience New Zealand farm life at the Agrodome, a popular 350 acre working farm not far from Rotorua’s town centre. Enjoy the Farm Show, which includes a sheep shearing demonstration. Watch incredible sheep dogs respond to a raft of commands. Then visit the Farmyard Nursery to see the baby farm animals. The popular one hour off-road 4WD Back Country Adventure farm tour takes visitors over steep hills, through swamps, orchards, cattle and sheep pasture, and check out a working wool shed.

The Skyline Gondola

The Skyline Gondola is set high on the side of Mt Ngongotaha with extensive views of Rotorua city, lake, geothermal activity and surrounding hinterlands. The Gondola ride takes you 900 metres to the Skyline Complex. Nature lovers can wander the nature trails, or you can simply take in the vista or dine at one of the eateries. If you have a thirst for adventure you can Luge, take on the Zoom Zipline or Skyswing.

Rotorua has so much to offer, that's why all the tours stop there. Find the New Zealand tour that best suits you.