What To Do In Rotorua New Zealand

If you are in Rotorua for a weekend, you will be amazed at how much there is to do. Spend some time with nature, go on an adventure high in the air, indulge in a cultural experience – Rotorua offers something for every kind of tourist. Mix and match a range of activities so that you get all the excitement, as well as rest and relaxation you need. So, if you’re wondering what to do in Rotorua, check out our suggested itinerary below. 

Take in the view

On a Friday night when you arrive, take the 900m gondola up Mt Ngongotaha. It is a great way to see the township and the surrounding lakes and forests, giving you an overview of the geography of the area (and so you know where you’re heading tomorrow). Then, have dinner at Stratosphere restaurant at the top and follow that up with time among the stars at the viewing platform above. Then, luge your way down the hill and get an early night.

Some culture and getting out in nature

After breakfast, head to Te Wairoa the Buried Village, a popular archaeological site. When Mt Tarawera erupted in 1886, it buried the village of Te Wairoa. It has since been excavated and is now a popular destination for visitors looking for a glimpse into early Māori life. This is a great way to take a peek into the history of the area and see some of the indigenous culture of NZ.

The weekend is also a great time to go for a walk or mountain bike, particularly in the tracks of the Redwoods Forest, Whakarewarewa. There are a range of tracks to choose from based on the intensity and duration you are looking for. You can even choose based on whether you have young children along with you, or perhaps want a laid back picturesque walk. It is a great way to spend a afternoon.

Sunsets have a way of calming the soul and Rotorua has several places to catch a beautiful sunset. Choose from the many lakes around such as Lake Okareka or Lake Rotomahana or even Lake Tarawera. Each one of them give you an experience of a sunset that is memorable.

Wrap up the day with watching the twinkling canopy of… glow worms. These tiny creatures offer a breath-taking finish to your day, as you head underground into caves and admire their tiny glowing lives.

A day of adventure with a walk in the sky

Start your Sunday with an activity like no other. Head to Canopy tours and get up close to the birds—really close. This beautiful walk through the forest is situated 12m high in the air, literally in the tree tops. You’ll take swing bridges and zip lines through the canopy, learning about NZ’s incredible wildlife and the unique Rotorua eco system. This tour takes three or three and a half hours, so book it in early.

In the afternoon, you have a range of options.

If you like adrenalin, try your hand at some zorbing. Jump into a giant inflatable ball and roll down hills for some really exhilarating fun. Or, go white water rafting, down Kaituna River. While it has the largest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, the 7m Tutea Falls, there are also some less adventurous options.

You can investigate the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, heading to Kuirua Park or Hells Gate to experience boiling pools of mud, exploding geysers and crater lakes like some alien landscape. Or you can head to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley to view the largest hot water spring in the world. The colourful geothermal terraces are an easy drive from Rotorua and also offer great walking and hiking trails.

You could also consider spending a part of the weekend horse trekking at Lake Okareka. The trails take you through native bush and some of Rotorua’s pristine green pastures overlooking several lakes.

End the weekend with some local street food. Head to Eat Street which has a melange of international flavours and dishes on offer. The lake end of Tutanekai Street is a coolest hotspot in town, with a huge variety of food under cover.

A weekend gives you a small insight into what to do in Rotorua

There is so much to do in Rotorua and a weekend only gives you time to scratch the surface. To truly experience all that the region has to offer, you need a week – that gives you time to soak in the hot pools, experience the amazing food the region has, eat a hangi, and see a cultural performance.

But a weekend is a good taster of what the area has to offer, so it’s a good start. It will inspire you to come back again for a long holiday—because you will remember your Rotorua holiday for the rest of your life.