Rotorua

Rotorua

Natural Thermal Wonderland

Since the early 19th century, tourists have flocked to Rotorua’s natural hot springs, bubbling mud pools, active geysers - spectacular thermal wonders on the ‘Pacific rim of fire’.

Māori culture and history infuses Rotorua life. The town of Rotorua, on the shores of Lake Rotorua, is home to the Te Arawa iwi - one of New Zealand’s larger Māori tribes.

Rotorua’s other-world volcanic landscape also provides a dynamic backdrop to many adventure activities - mountain biking, trout fishing, bathing in natural hot pools, white water rafting, and air adventures.

Heritage

Rotorua was discovered about 600 years ago by a Māori leader called Ihenga. According to legend, Ihenga was out hunting food for his pregnant wife when one of his dogs ran away after a kiwi. When the dog returned with a wet coat and threw up a half-digested fish, Ihenga realised that there must be water nearby so he explored the area, discovering Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotorua.

Rotorua’s Te Arawa people were New Zealand’s first tour guides. Since the 1800s, they’ve been hosting visitors from all over the world.

Celebrated as the eighth wonder of the world, the Pink and White Terraces were the major attraction until 1886 when the massive Mt Tarawera volcanic eruption destroyed the colourful silica terraces and natural thermal pools. About 150 people died in the eruption that also destroyed the village of Te Wairoa - The Buried Village.

Survivors of the Tarawera eruption moved to Whakarewarewa Thermal Village where they continued their guiding tradition. Today, about 36 percent of the Rotorua’s population identify as Māori, many with Te Arawa roots.

Māori Culture

Rotorua offers a rich Māori experience based on many local legends and long cultural history.

At Whakarewarewa, a living Māori village in an active geothermal setting, residents still use natural resources for cooking, washing and bathing. Guided tours include bubbling mud pools, mineral springs where families bathe, and local cuisine cooked in thermal waters and traditional hangi ovens.

Te Puia, an important Māori culture centre, has visitor experiences covering traditional artforms, carving and weaving, Māori story-telling, and authentic cultural performances.

Personalised tours with local Māori guides offer in-depth Māori culture experiences taking visitors off-the-beaten track into the region and the local culture.

Luxury

Rotorua’s natural spas and the rejuvenating benefits of thermal waters have long been an attraction for travellers wanting to unwind and indulge, and the region is also home to some of New Zealand’s top luxury lodges.

Treetops, an exclusive eco-lodge, sits in a private 2,500 acre property with seven trout streams, four lakes and miles of hiking trails through native forest. Lake Okareka Lodge, in a secluded lake edge setting, offers exclusive hire and a world class luxury experience.

Clearwater Cruises’ luxury private charters cruise Lake Tarawera’s tranquil waters as guests sip chilled champagne in a pristine location surrounded by native flora and fauna.

Adventure / Outdoors

Rotorua’s volcanic landscape provides a dynamic backdrop to some of New Zealand’s best adventure and outdoor activities.

With more than 70km of tracks just minutes from the city centre, Rotorua is New Zealand's leading mountain-biking destination. In Whakarewarewa forest, cyclists weave through thick forest past flashes of beautiful lakes, geothermal action and iconic Mt Tarawera.

Rotorua is also home to world-first adventure activities, such as the Zorb and Shweeb. Zorbing involves rolling down a hill in a large inflatable ball, while the Shweeb is the world’s first human-powered monorail racetrack. Adrenalin junkies can also luge, raft, sledge, off-road, sky dive, bodyfly and bungy.

The Rotorua region is an angler’s dream with top-notch river and lake fishing locations, with the unique option of cooking the catch in hot sands on a thermal beach.

DID YOU KNOW