Rotorua, located in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, is a popular city known for its geothermal wonders and rich Māori heritage. In early 2024, Booking.com even named Rotorua one of the world’s ten most trending travel destinations. There’s only one explanation for that: the exceptional geothermal area surrounding the “Sulphur City.” Let’s explore the best attractions together!
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1. Whakarewarewa Thermal Village (Te Puia): Rotorua’s main attraction
Rotorua is deeply rooted in Māori culture, making it a fascinating place to immerse yourself in the traditions and beliefs of New Zealand’s indigenous people. The best place to experience this as a visitor is Whakarewarewa Thermal Village (also known as Te Puia), a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring traditional Māori architecture, breathtaking geysers, and bubbling mud pools.
Rotorua sits in a volcanic zone, which means you’ll find many geysers, mud pools, fumaroles, and other geothermal phenomena. The most famous geyser is the Pohutu Geyser, which erupts every 20 to 40 minutes, sending a water column up to 30 metres high into the air. You’ll find this impressive natural spectacle right here in Te Puia.
You can only enter Te Puia with a guide
You might read in other blogs, as we did, that you can freely walk around Whakarewarewa Thermal Village (Te Puia). Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case. A local Māori guide is now mandatory. We joined a group of 36 people, paid 180 NZD (roughly €110) for two, which is quite pricey, and didn’t receive much explanation. You can check current prices here. Still, this park is one you shouldn’t skip — the powerful Pohutu Geyser alone makes it worthwhile. And you might even spot a kiwi bird here!
For 30 NZD extra per person, enjoy a haka show
New Zealand is famous for its haka! Several performances are held daily at Whakarewarewa Thermal Village. Want to make your visit complete? For an extra 30 NZD per person, you can join one. It’s the perfect way to get to know Māori traditions better.
2. Get to know Maori culture
You can already experience Māori culture at Te Puia, which even houses a university where students are still trained in traditional arts and crafts.
Another great option is Mitai Maori Village. This community-driven initiative is a collaboration between the Māori people and the tourism industry — a way for Māori to share their culture with the rest of the world.
At Mitai Maori Village, you can take part in a wide range of activities, including:
- A Māori dance show
- A guided tour through the village
- A demonstration of Māori crafts
- A tasting of traditional Māori dishes
Love immersing yourself in local culture? Then be sure to add this to your list. Short on time? Then I’d recommend sticking with Te Puia.
3. Redwoods Treewalk: during the day or at night
The Redwoods Treewalk is a unique Rotorua activity you definitely shouldn’t miss. You walk along a wooden bridge suspended between the trees, giving you breathtaking views of the surroundings. The towering redwoods are over 100 years old and thrive in Rotorua’s rainy climate.
The Treewalk is open from sunrise to sunset, but the best time to visit is in the evening. The trees are beautifully illuminated, creating a magical experience. They’ve really turned it into something special — the Redwoods Treewalk is a true must-see in Rotorua!
That said, tourists know about it too, so it can get pretty crowded! We chose the regular queue and had to wait an hour. In hindsight, the fastpass only costs an extra NZD 5. My tip: buy the fastpass! There’s also plenty of parking available — not on the premises itself, but along the road.
Of course, it’s also possible to do the treewalk both during the day and in the evening with a combi-ticket.
Want to know more? Read my blog about the Redwoods Treewalk!
4. Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua
In need of some relaxation? The Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua consist of 12 handcrafted cedar hot tubs situated in a stunning landscape of forests and lakes. The tubs are filled with warm, mineral-rich water sourced from a local geothermal spring. This is the perfect place to unwind and relax!
Tip: Book in advance to avoid disappointment.
5. The free Mud Pools of Kuirau Park
Right in the heart of Rotorua, you’ll find Kuirau Park – Mud Pools. This is a free park where you can also get a good look at Rotorua’s geothermal activity. No wonder the whole city smells like rotten eggs. Geothermal activity is truly everywhere throughout the city!
You can park for free around the park. It’s within walking distance from most hotels. It’s less spectacular than the paid parks, but a nice stopover if you’re spending more time in the area.
6. Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Inferno Crater
Just 20 minutes’ drive from Rotorua, you’ll find Waimangu Volcanic Valley with its world-famous Inferno Crater. This beautiful geothermal area features a downhill route passing more than 20 highlights. You then take the shuttle bus back to the park entrance. Note the limited bus times though. We walked the 4.5 km route in about 90 minutes.
There’s a parking lot and café for a quick snack. Entrance is quite pricey though. We paid 92 NZD for two people.
7. Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
You’ll definitely find Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland more impressive than Whakarewarewa Thermal Village. It offers much greater diversity in geothermal beauty, it’s cheaper and quieter. You’ve probably seen this park in travel guides too! The only thing missing is the spectacular geyser that Te Puia has.
The park is famous for its colorful geysers, mud pools, and other geothermal phenomena. It’s located about 30 kilometers from downtown Rotorua.
The park spans roughly 110 hectares and offers various walking trails. The green route is the most popular and provides the best views. It takes you past Devil’s Pool, a natural jacuzzi in a ravine. The water in Devil’s Pool is toxic green and changes color daily depending on weather conditions.
Another popular attraction at Waiotapu is the Champagne Pool. This geyser constantly releases tiny air bubbles to the surface, making it look like champagne due to its beauty.
We paid 65 NZD for two people (significantly cheaper than Te Puia!) and spent over 2 hours exploring the park. Keep in mind there’s nothing for sale inside the park besides the entrance fee.
8. Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave
Can’t get enough geothermal areas? There’s yet another park to discover. This one is about an hour’s drive (roughly 60 km) from Rotorua though.
Orakei Korako offers a unique geothermal landscape filled with geysers, mud pools, fumaroles, and silica terraces. The park is also home to Ruatapu Cave, a natural cavern featuring stunning stalagmites and stalactites.
Upon arrival, you take a short boat ride across to the other side, where you start your roughly 2-hour walk. We paid 94 NZD for two people.
Where to stay in Rotorua
We stayed at the Millennium Hotel Rotorua. A great hotel right in the city center as you can see on the map below. There are plenty of options in Rotorua though. Pick something nice that fits your budget!
Don’t rush past Rotorua
As you can see, there’s plenty to do around Rotorua! So make sure you take enough time to explore this extraordinary area. We stayed 2 nights and visited Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave from Taupo. Before arriving in Rotorua, we visited the Hobbiton Movie Set in the morning. Also highly recommended!
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