Best Places To See in Rotorua

Explore one of nature's most spectacular geothermal parks, with geysers, hot springs and pools, lush flora and fauna, amazing silica terraces and a rare geothermal cave. So special is Orakei Korako, it can only be reached by boat and, like something from a Jules Verne novel, as soon as you step onboard and make your way across the tranquil waters to the 'Hidden Valley' itself, it's like sailing...

Waimangu connects people with the beating heart of the world’s youngest geothermal valley, its unique history and legacy.  Home to the now hidden Pink and White Terraces, the eighth natural wonder of the world, Waimangu immerses visitors in the stories of the Mt Tarawera volcanic eruption, its people, and the resulting dramatic landscape changes that created the world’s youngest g...

Kuirau Park is a public park situated off Lake Road just 10 minutes walk from the Rotorua`s city centre. The park offers a chance to get up close to impressive steaming geothermal activity with well laid walking tracks.  The park includes a play area for children, an expansive garden area, ornamental lake, and geothermal heated foot pools. The paddling pool is a popular spot for familie...

Experience nature just minutes from Rotorua city. Wander through Californian Coastal Redwoods or fulfil a need for speed on mountain bike tracks. Located in Whakarewarewa Forest, just a few minutes' drive from Rotorua city centre, the Redwoods is a spectacular natural area that caters for every sort of outdoor pursuit. Visitors who like gentle walks can enjoy some of the short tracks or the ...

Beautiful and spacious gardens near the centre of Rotorua. The Government Gardens offer a bowling club, petanque, croquet and a golf course.  Within the gardens, you'll also come across various points of interest that include the 1927 Arawa Soldiers Memorial, a number of geothermal features and the Kwaqiulth Totem Pole.  The beautifully maintained gardens are a short walk to Lake...

Lake Tarawera is located 18 km east of Rotorua.  It's around a 10 minute drive along Tarawera Road.  There are two lookout points well worth pulling over for. The first Lookout allows you to see the Blue and Green Lakes from one viewing point.  The next one further along is the chance to take in sweeping views of Lake Tarawera.   Lake Tarawera was greatly affected by...

Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve is a geothermal landscape containing rare plant species and a striking coloured terrain. Heading to, or from Taupo, the reserve is 26 kilometres to the south-east of Rotorua and just off State Highway 5. From its volcanic origins, Rainbow Mountain (Maungakakaramea) has a smouldering landscape with brown, orange and red soils, and native vegetation that is regener...

Lake Rotorua is the second largest lake in the North Island covering 79.8 km². Lake Rotorua was formed from the crater of a large volcano. The last eruption was 240,000 yeas ago.  The lake is very shallow in depth and has a high sulphur content. This gives the waters an unusual yellowish-green hue. This makes it popular for fishing but not for swimming.  ...

Spectacular geothermal valley and home to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, just five minutes from central Rotorua. Educational, interactive, and full of natural wonders. From the moment you pass through the impressive Waharoa (gateway) to Te Puia, and see the Te Heketanga-a-Rangi monument of 12 skyscraping posts, you know you're entering a special world. Geothermal Valle...

WHERE THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH MEETS THE SKY.   More than just a place of myth and legend, this land has the power to heal and excite anyone who meets it, just as it has done for centuries.  Come and discover New Zealand's most unique geothermal experience.   WHERE THE EARTH INSPIRES AND EXCITES. Brought to life by Rūaumoko, our land has inspired stories and excited visitors ...

The iwi (tribe) has been welcoming visitors to the village since the 1800s showing them their way of life and the natural geothermal wonders that surround the area.  The village is set amongst natural hot pools and thermal springs and geysers all of which can be seen during a visit. LEGACY GUIDED VILLAGE TOUR Enjoy a guided tour through NZ’s iconic living Maori village and home of the...