Guidebook for Rotorua
Sightseeing
The Hamurana springs are an easy 30 minute walk. The water is crystal clear, and the river and nature walk relaxing.
16 locals recommend
Hamurana Springs Gardens & Golf Resort
773 Hamurana RdThe Hamurana springs are an easy 30 minute walk. The water is crystal clear, and the river and nature walk relaxing.
A public park with beautifully maintained gardens, some hot water pools, at the centre is the iconic Rotorua Museum building.
57 locals recommend
Government Gardens
A public park with beautifully maintained gardens, some hot water pools, at the centre is the iconic Rotorua Museum building.
Geothermal activity in the heart of the city, take a stroll around Sulphur point and behind the government gardens to see hot water and mineral deposits.
9 locals recommend
Sulphur Point
Hatupatu DriveGeothermal activity in the heart of the city, take a stroll around Sulphur point and behind the government gardens to see hot water and mineral deposits.
Everything Else
Beautiful walk through well maintained gardens and the museum is a lovely building inside and out.
11 locals recommend
GOVERNMENT GARDENS & THERMAL
9 Queens DrBeautiful walk through well maintained gardens and the museum is a lovely building inside and out.
for New Zealand this is an old building. showcases local artists. has a cafe which is very pleasant.
18 locals recommend
The Arts Village
1240 Hinemaru Stfor New Zealand this is an old building. showcases local artists. has a cafe which is very pleasant.
Food Scene
Third Place Café Rotorua
35 Lake RdGreat food, lovely view of lake Taupo
Fat Dog Cafe & Bar
1161 Arawa StGood food all day.
Picnic Cafe Rotorua
1174 Whakaue StGood coffee
Fix Cafe & Espresso Bar
1266 Tutanekai StGreat coffee, reasonably priced, on the go
Goldstar Lunchbar
1114 Haupapa StIconic New Zealand Meat pies - get a variety of flavours here.
A street that has been blocked from car traffic, filled with over a dozen restaurants of different budgets and flavours. Take your shoes off and feel the heated floor outside.
134 locals recommend
Eat Street
Tutanekai StreetA street that has been blocked from car traffic, filled with over a dozen restaurants of different budgets and flavours. Take your shoes off and feel the heated floor outside.
the cafe in Vetro has excellent coffee, easy parking, tasty food.
the delicatessen has an excellent range of goods
6 locals recommend
Vetro Mediterranean Foods
1131 Amohau Stthe cafe in Vetro has excellent coffee, easy parking, tasty food.
the delicatessen has an excellent range of goods
good coffee excellent range of good food, big snacks, lunch, dinner. excellent pizzas..good for a sit down and relax inside our out. interesting information about the wood products that are made and researched onsite. right next to the Redwoods
Eastwood
good coffee excellent range of good food, big snacks, lunch, dinner. excellent pizzas..good for a sit down and relax inside our out. interesting information about the wood products that are made and researched onsite. right next to the Redwoods
wide range of beer including the local beer, tasting tray available. great meals and nibbles. good atmosphere
14 locals recommend
Craft Bar And Kitchen
1115 Tutanekai Stwide range of beer including the local beer, tasting tray available. great meals and nibbles. good atmosphere
Parks & Nature
Kuirau Park
Ranolf StreetLovely park, with many hot pools, mud pools, and free hot foot spa.
Very large trees; easy twenty minute walks, and some longer 1 - 8 hour walks
150 locals recommend
Redwoods Treewalk
Tarawera RoadVery large trees; easy twenty minute walks, and some longer 1 - 8 hour walks
An easy walk besides the Kaituna River in beautiful native forest. Go out at night after dark to see the glow worms on the side of the walking tracks.
34 locals recommend
Okere Falls
An easy walk besides the Kaituna River in beautiful native forest. Go out at night after dark to see the glow worms on the side of the walking tracks.
Lake Tarawera
The stunning Blue Lake, and next to it the Green lake set in native bush. You can walk around the blue lake in an easy 5kms. Or drive to the middle lookout spot between the two lakes and look from one to the other. Drive on to look out at lake Tarawera and view the mountain that exploded in 1886. The Blue Lake is good for a swim in summer and early Autum
Blue Lake TOP 10 Holiday Park
723 Tarawera RdThe stunning Blue Lake, and next to it the Green lake set in native bush. You can walk around the blue lake in an easy 5kms. Or drive to the middle lookout spot between the two lakes and look from one to the other. Drive on to look out at lake Tarawera and view the mountain that exploded in 1886. The Blue Lake is good for a swim in summer and early Autum
Lake Okareka
Another beautiful lake, good for swimming, boating, fishing.
Ngongotaha
lovely beach. 20 min drive. cold water. peaceful. some walks in the forest around . some quite long if you want
Lake Okataina, Bay of Plenty 3074, New Zealand
lovely beach. 20 min drive. cold water. peaceful. some walks in the forest around . some quite long if you want
a good walking track . excellent view from the top especially on a clear day. geothermal activity.
13 locals recommend
Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve
a good walking track . excellent view from the top especially on a clear day. geothermal activity.
City advice
What to pack
bring an extra layer
Rotorua is much higher altitude than the coasts and therefore can be chilly or cold even in spring and summer in the evening or in the wind. winter can be frosty.