You’ll know you’re in Rotorua when you smell something awful in the air, it’s impossible to escape. What you’re smelling is Rotorua’s thermal areas, full of geysers, hot springs and exploding mud pools. Rotorua also has a great mountain biking network with lots of biking opportunities from young to old.
Rotorua will always have a soft spot in my heart. It was a place we could come back to time and time again in my childhood and there’s something about recreating the memories of your own childhood with your children. Rotorua is a 4-hour drive away from Auckland and I’d recommend staying for a few days to get the most out of it – there’s so many things to do in this town that will keep the whole family happy.
Redwood Forest (Whakarewarewa Forest)
The Redwood Forest is so impressive yet calming as you walk through the trees. It’s nice and shady underneath the towering Redwoods, the air is cool and fresh. Do the treetop walk (it is 553 meters long and goes up to 12 meters high) and read the informational signboards along the way. Then walk or ride down one of the many trails beneath the Redwoods, there’s heaps to tracks to choose from with over 90km of track to explore.
There is also a pump track on the edge of the forest that you’ll want to check out. Drop-in at the visitor centre on Long Mile Road where you can grab a trail map for $5 (this goes towards track maintenance). Bikes can be hired from several shops, Planet Bike is great and offers bike drops or guided trip if you prefer. Bring a picnic or grab something to eat at the nice cafes/restaurants down the road. At night, the Redwoods are lit up with lanterns and are quite the sight to see.
Skyline Gondola and Luge
The Skyline is so much fun. First, hop on the gondola, it’ll take you on a 178-meter scenic ride to the top of the hill where you can enjoy the amazing panoramic views from the top of Mt Ngongotaha. The top is where all of the fun starts. The kids will absolutely love zipping past the trees, around the corners and down to the bottom of the luge. Catch a ride to the top just to do it all over again. There are three different luge tracks with lots of twists, turns and jumps, one ride just won’t be enough. They also have a cafe, Sky Swing (kids need to be at least 5 years old and 110cm tall), mountain biking, a Jelly Bean store (it has over 100 flavours of jellybeans on offer) and more.
Geothermal Pools
I’ll never get enough of geothermal pools, they’re natural, beautiful and totally free. Most are off the beaten track and around 30 minutes out of Rotorua town.
FREE:
- Kerosene Creek – this would be the most popular, there’s a waterfall here, find a spot and relax in this naturally warm creek or hop in further ahead and let yourself float down the creek. There is one small toilet here.
- Hot n Cold – is another great spot. Basically, it’s two river’s merging, ones hot, the others cold. Find your sweet spot. The further up you go in the hot river, the hotter it gets. And the cold one’s freezing! No toilets.
- Te Rata Bay, Lake Tarawera – I spent many summer holidays here so this is a pretty special spot for me. You can camp here and it’s only accessible by boat (there’s a water taxi that goes here) or by a 15km walk.
- Wairua Stream, Lake Tarawera – get nice and warm is this warm creek, it’s another great little spot only accessible by boat, water taxi or by foot, which means you’re likely to have it to yourself.
PAID:
- Waitangi Soda Springs – relax in this hot pool surrounded by natural bush. There are changing rooms and toilets here. It costs around $25 for a family pass.
- Polynesian Spa – there is a nice family pool here or go for a more luxury experience and enjoy a private pool overlooking the lake.
- Hell’s Gate – Enjoy a mud bath, rinse off then be completely relaxed by the very warm pools. One thing you can’t miss, is the walk through the geothermal area and past the hot Kakahi Falls.
- Waikite Valley Thermal Pools – bathe in natural thermal water in a nice natural setting.
Rotorua Lakes
There are so many lakes around Rotorua you are spoilt for choice. Here are just four of them:
- Lake Rotorua – it’s the largest lake in Rotorua and you’ll most likely stumble across it sometime – it’s right by the town. Go for a family stroll to wind down the kids after a fun-filled day along the lake boardwalk. There are a few things close by while you’re wandering through the town, like the museum (now closed due to earthquake repairs but still a beautiful building to see) and Kairua Park. Everywhere you look, you’ll most likely see steam drifting up to the sky!
- Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) – a smaller yet very beautiful lake surrounded by trees. Perfect for a swim on a hot summers day or hire a kayak to enjoy these pristine waters. Enjoy a picnic and let the kids run wild at the playground by the lake.
- Lake Tarawera – visit the Hot Water Beach by trail or boat and relax in the naturally warm water.
- Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools – accessible only by water, these pools are the perfect place to unwind. There are six pools (each a different temperature), a BBQ area, picnic tables and changing rooms. In summer, the jetty is a great spot to jump off into the lake. If you didn’t bring any food, no worries, head to Okere Falls Store which is also a lovely little cafe. If you don’t have a boat, take the Weekend Water Taxi Service which operates on weekends and includes admission to the pools.
Maori Cultural Experiences
Mitai Maori Village – experience authentic traditional Maori culture. Watch warriors in traditional dress paddle down the stream in an ancient warrior canoe. Enjoy a traditionally cooked hangi meal and learn about their past in a cultural performance.
Te Puia – experience Maori culture and amazing geothermal wonders.
Whakarewarewa Thermal Village – New Zealand’s only living Maori village where you can see how the Maori people live on a daily basis, watch the cultural performance and see how they prepare and cook traditional food.
Geothermal areas
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland – this is New Zealand’s most colourful geothermal attraction, the vibrant colours you see in pictures are what it actually looks like. Go see for yourself and be amazed.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley – visit the world’s youngest geothermal area full with hot springs. Pick a self-guided walk with 40 points of interest to see. The shortest walk is 1.5 km long (1 hour), don’t worry about the uphill walk back, just hop the shuttle bus which is included in admission. Or enjoy a 45-minute boat tour over Lake Rotomahana and see beautiful geothermal springs and geysers as you enjoy New Zealand’s unspoilt and natural wilderness.
Kuirau Park – it’s no ordinary park, this is one you can’t miss. Geothermal, bubbling creeks, a steamy bridge to cross and a playground for the kids to wear themselves out before bed.
Hamurana Springs Nature Reserve – a nice, easy family walk through big redwood trees and to the deepest natural freshwater spring in the North Island. There is now a small fee to do this walk.
Nature/Wildlife Parks
Agrodome – come and be entertained as well as educated. This is a 120-hectare working farm with 1200 sheep and 120 cattle with alpacas, goats, pigs and donkeys, too. Hang out in the farmyard nursery where you can enjoy lots of cuddles with the baby animals. Go on an hour-long farm tour. And see the legendary farm show where you can learn about the different breeds of sheep and other interesting facts and have a good laugh while you’re at it.
Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park – a beautiful wildlife park, full of animals that you can hand fed. There are deer, goats, alpacas and emu. Walkthrough the bird aviary and see the kea, kakariki, kereru and tui. Then see the pride of African lions, the best time to visit is during their afternoon feeding show at 2:30pm when they’re most active.
Rainbow Springs Nature Park – get up close to all of the wonderful birds, bugs and beasts who call NZ home! Ride the Big Splash and feed the tuatara and trout. If you don’t happen to spot a kiwi in the morning, come back in the evening when they’re most active, tickets are valid for the whole day. Kiwi Encounters also available.
Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre – be entertained and educated on New Zealand’s native birds. The flying display is a real winner, see falcons and other birds as they practice the art of falconry to prepare themselves before they are released into the wild. You can even get up and close by wearing the gauntlet, having a falcon land on your arm is something you won’t forget. Open daily 9am-3pm. Flying display starts at 2pm.
Attractions
3D Trick Art Gallery– check out the awesome 3D Trick Art Displays, get creative and take some awesome photos. A great rainy day activity.
The Squeeze– go on a scenic yet thrilling jet boat ride through Tutukau Gorge, then walk through knee-deep warm water, squeezing through tight rock passages to arrive at a hot spring waterfall.
AMazeme – get lost in the maze at AMazeme.
Blue Baths – geothermally heated freshwater pools, open daily from 10am till 6pm but check before you go as sometimes there are events on and they will be closed.
Canopy Tours – for kids 6 years and older, this is great fun for the whole family. Experience ancient New Zealand forest in an unforgettable way.
Velocity Valley – if you’ve got older kids they will love Velocity Valley. The Agrojet will take your breath away, kids just have to be taller than 1m. Soar like a bird on the Freefall Xtreme or race up to 50km/h around the track in racing pods. If they’re keen, 10-year-olds and older can try out Bungy Jumping.
Walks
Okere Falls Track– see the Tutea caves and watch as river rafters come down the Tutea Falls – a popular rafting destination.
Tarawera Falls Track – easily accessible 40 min return walk next to the Tarawera River to see the 65m falls. A river runs underground and exits out of the cliff. You’ll need to require a permit to enter this area as it goes through private forestry roads, permits are $10 and you can grab them from the i-site. The gates may be closed during summer when fire risk is high.
Rainbow Mountain-Crater Lake Walk – an easy 30-minute return track with great views of two emerald-coloured crater lakes. Up for a challenge? Continue on to the summit track and head up Rainbow Mountain. It’ll add on another 3 hours.
Mt Tarawera Crater Walk – this is a fully guided walk through a unique and stunning landscape, allow 4.5 hours for this experience. The minimum age to go on this tour is 7 years old.
Redwoods Grove Walk – an easy 2km walk that’ll take around 30 minutes to complete. Walkthrough Californian Redwood trees, standing tall, they are more than 100 years old.
Blue Lake Walk – 5.5km, 2hr circuit. Go for a walk around the lake. There’s a small beach at the southern end if you care for a dip, away from the crowds.
Te Auheke Track (or Cascades Track) – get to the Cascade Falls by Lake Okataina on an easy 40 minute return walk.
History
Rotorua Museum – built in 1908 as an elegant spa retreat called the Bath House, it was then converted into a museum in 1969. It was closed in 2016 because it was showing cracks on the walls after an earthquake in Kaikoura, 650km away. There have been plans to strengthen it but it is expected to take years to complete, the estimated completion date being 2021. This is still a nice place to wander around if you’re strolling around the lakeside.
Eat
‘Eat Streat’ – what started out as a temporary trial road closure on a street with lots of restaurants has turned into a success and is now permanent with Eat Street being the place to go to for dining. The roofing over the street has unique geothermal heating and will keep diners warm even on a cold, winters day. Head on over to eat street when you’ll feeling like a good meal in a fantastic atmosphere.
Pig and Whistle – Rotorua’s oldest pub and family-friendly. Open 11:30am til late. There’s live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s.
Super Pass
Rotorua Super Passes – attraction combinations at a discounted rate.
Have I missed anything? Let me know in the comments.
