With its unique volcanic landscape, living Maori culture, natural hot springs and plenty of options for adventure, Rotorua is one of New Zealand's most famous destinations.
In Rotorua, cool spring mornings often bring sunny days ideal for enjoying the region’s natural assets - spectacular geothermal activity, fantastic mountain biking, scenic walks and excellent trout fishing. Spring nights are perfect for soaking in the healing waters of a mineral spring in velvety darkness.
With its unique volcanic landscape, living Maori culture, natural hot springs and plenty of options for adventure, Rotorua is one of New Zealand's most famous destinations.
Browse our collection of images to see what the region has to offer:
An adventure, cultural and spa destination like no other
With its unique volcanic landscape, living Maori culture, natural hot springs and plenty of options for adventure, Rotorua is one of New Zealand's most famous destinations.
The region was the birthplace of New Zealand tourism in the 1800s, when people flocked here from around the world to see the amazing Pink and White Terraces - vast, naturally formed silica terraces that cascaded into a volcanic lake. The Te Arawa people were their local guides. The terraces were destroyed in the 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption, but Rotorua's fame as a fascinating travel destination continued to grow. Today Maori guides can often be seen at the city's iconic attractions, following in the footsteps of their ancestors.
When explaining the appeal of their region, the people of Rotorua like to talk of five spirits. You can feel the spirit of the earth, as it rumbles beneath your feet and escapes, hissing, through fumaroles and geysers. You can witness the spirit of Maori culture, with authentic village and performance experiences. With a soak in a natural hot spring or a relaxing massage, you can rejuvenate your spirit. Or free your spirit with outdoor adventures - trout fishing, kayaking, waterskiing, swimming, hiking and mountain biking. And if it's excitement you crave, you can challenge your spirit with adrenalin-charged extreme activities such as sky-diving, jet boating and zorbing.
Apart from its surprising crater, mountain and lake landscape, Rotorua is memorable for striking Tudor-style architecture and beautiful public parks. The farmland around city is some of the most fertile in New Zealand. Watching a sheep show or staying on a working farm is a great way to get a different view of the region.
Dare to be adventurous Roll downhill inside a zorb, try some 360-degree spins in a jet boat or race your friends on a luge cart. Rafting, kayaking and sledging are also popular - trips on the Kaituna, Rangitaiki or Wairoa Rivers are a blast!
Indulge yourself
Rotorua is known as ‘Nature’s Spa of the South Pacific’ and offers visitors many opportunities to rejuvenate their spirit. Soak in the healing waters of hot springs or unwind with a therapeutic massage or mud wrap.
Cultural heartland
Rotorua is the heartland of New Zealand’s Maori culture. Learn carving or weaving from master artists, sample contemporary food cooked using traditional methods or participate in Maori singing and dancing shows.
Key Tips
Located in the central North Island, Rotorua is a leisurely three-hour drive from Auckland.
Air New Zealand and Qantas service Rotorua with daily domestic flights from Auckland (40 minutes), Wellington (one hour), Christchurch (1.25 hours) and Queenstown (2.5 hours).
Rotorua’s central location means it’s an easy drive to other North Island attractions. Visit the beach at Mt Maunganui (one hour), Tongariro National Park (1.5 hours), North Island ski fields (2.5 hours) and the wine region of Hawke’s Bay (2.5 hours).
MEMORY:Submitted by Margaret Anderson from New Zealand
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Everything about NZ is perfect the people,the scenery is beautiful,everywhere you go there is something different.
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New Zealand Food and Wine Take a gourmet journey through the North and South Islands and discover your appetite for New Zealand.
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Maori Culture The region of Hawkes Bay hosts the country’s most elaborate celebrations of Matariki – the Maori New Year.
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Volcanic and Geothermal At geothermal hotspots, geysers spout skyward, mud pools bubble and belch, and warm thermal pools create a kaleidoscope of colour.
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Rotorua's Lakes the city of Rotorua is surrounded by 11 major lakes. The lakes were formed by volcanic activity and are steeped in Maori legend and history.
Geyser Flat at Whakarewarewa is one of the best geyser field left in the world.
Although snow is rare in Rotorua - recorded only half a dozen times in the past four decades - winter (June, July and August) is definitely the season for crunchy, white ground frosts. In most cases, a frost signals the beginning of a clear, sunny day. Rotorua’s relatively high altitude (290 metres above sea level) keeps the air cool. The average daytime temperature range is 9º-15ºC. The shortest day (winter solstice) occurs around June 21.
