Rotorua, New Zealand
Rotorua, New Zealand
Rotorua is a scenic lakeside town on New Zealand’s North Island. Its home to active geothermal features, towering redwood forests and outdoor adventure parks. Its a magical destination, with nearby glowworm caves and the mythical film set of Hobbiton adding to its allure. Māori cultural experiences provide deep insight into the traditions of the island’s first peoples.
See the Sights
Lake Rotorua. A picturesque lake filling the caldera of an ancient volcano. The lake is lined by a scenic board walk, forested nature trails and geothermal activity. Its inhabited by families of black swans, ducks, geese and other aquatic birds.
Sulphur Point. A geothermal bay on Lake Rotorua with milky blue water, bubbling mud pools, steam vents and sulphur deposits. It’s a nesting place for various gulls. Trails with picturesque views lead along its edge.
Te Arawa War Canoe. A Māori war canoe preserved in a protected shelter near Lake Rotorua. The large canoe is carved from a 1,500 year old tree and adorned in carved faces of Māori beings to navigate and guide the Māori people.
Kuirau Park. A city park with hot springs, steaming vents, bubbling pools and a geothermal lagoon. Come here to stroll the Manukatree lined paths and boardwalks. Stop to plunge your legs in thermal foot baths fed by naturally heated spring water.
Government Gardens. A public garden with floral beds, bowling fields used by cricketers, Māori sculptures and cultural landmarks, steaming thermal vent, vibrant hot springs and historic wooden buildings.
Outdoor Adventure Parks
Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest. A redwood forest with towering redwood trees and elevated adventure courses. Trails lead through the forest past larger than life redwoods, leafy ferns and mossy patches. Spend a couple hours here walking the trails and canopying in the trees. We hiked the 3.4km Waitawa Walk by day returned for the night trek in the Redwoods Treewalk.
Redwoods Treewalk. A series of elevated suspension bridges and platforms built between the massive trunks of the redwood trees. The evening treewalk is a magical experience. Suspended lanterns dimly glow throughout redwood forest while colorful lights illuminate the below fern trees.
Redwoods Altitude. An elevated adventure course with zip lines and unique suspension bridges meandering between the trunks of the forest’s oldest redwoods. A spiral staircase leads up the trunk of a redwood while a repelling jump descends back to the ground.
Skyline Rotorua. An adventure park with cable cars, extreme mountain biking, zip lines and lugeing courses built on the slopes of Mount Ngongotaha. It’s reachable via a 900 meter long gondola with views of Lake Rotorua and the city below. The park also includes low energy activities include wine tastings at the Stratosfare Restaurant and nature walks through the fern covered forest.
Skyline Luge. A gravity fueled luge course with multiple routes, downhill straightaways, steep curves and illuminated tunnels. Race small carts to the bottom, ride the lift up and repeat. It’s an exciting activity made for all ages. Buy tickets that included at least two rides.
Geothermal Sights & Parks
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
The Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is a vast geothermal park featuring eruptive geysers, colorful hot springs, acidic lakes, steaming vents and bubbling mud pools. Scenic walkways traverse the park’s many sights.
Champagne Pool. A large hot spring named after its small bubbles and fizzing noises resembling a glass of champagne. Mineral deposits line the edge of the pool graduating inwards from white to yellow, orange and green. Steam rises from its surface, wafting gaseous clouds and the occasional vortex.
Artist’s Palette. A colorful basin created by mineral deposits and overflowing water from the Champagne Pool. The palette displays bright yellow, rusty orange, turquoise blue, aquamarine, bone white, beige and brown colors. The colors change based on viewing angles and amount of sunlight.
Roto Kārikitea. A neon green colored acid pool formed by runoff from the Champagne Pools.
The Craters. A series of collapsed thermal vents with boiling mud pools, sulphuric deposits and steaming gases. They’re some of the first sights when entering the geothermal park.
The Mud Pools. An area with multiple bubbling mud pools, stinky gases and blobs of floating crude oil.
Nature Walks. A series of trails winds through forested hillsides, offering sweeping views of the landscape, its geothermal features and endemic plants. Routes pass through the park’s most active thermal areas, showcasing acidic lakes, bubbling hot springs, steaming vents, sulfuric caves and waterfalls.
Lady Knox Geyser. A white geyser with a steaming conical vent resembling a miniature volcano. The geyser is “induced” to erupt each morning as a Māori woman sings. A growing fountain of bubbling water slowly flows forth followed by a towering jet of steam reaching 20 meters in height. Arrive by 9:30am to get a front row seat in the outdoor amphitheater.
Kerosene Creek. A forested creek fed by a thermal hot spring with spa-like river pools and small waterfalls. Soak in warm waters and jacuzzi-like falls while admiring the serene surrounding nature. Park here and hike in.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
The Waimangu Volcanic Valley is a geothermal area created by a dramatic eruption in 1886. Trails lead through the valley past views of volcanic craters, large hot springs, boiling rivers, sputtering geysers and steaming vents.
The Crater Track. A nature walk with scenic views of the valley’s largest volcanic features like crater lakes, colorful silica terraces, steaming rock pinnacles, hot streams and lush landscapes.
The Terrace Track. A trail following hot and cold streams lined with orange and white hued silica terraces. Sputtering vents emit hot steam and boiling water along the stream’s edges and terraces surfaces.
Wetland Trail. A trail leading through wetlands populated by native plants and aquatic birds. It ends at Lake Rotomahana with views of the Tarawera Volcano.
The Waitomo Glowworm Cave
The Waitomo Glowworm Cave is a subterranean habitat home to colonies of bioluminescent glowworms. The best way to see the glowworms is by blackwater rafting through the cave’s underground river. It’s a truly magical experience coupled with a unique sense of adventure!
Black Water Rafting (Black Labyrinth). We geared up with wetsuits, boots, helmets, headlamps and inner tubes to enter the cave. Guides led us through a crevice into a series of narrow passageways and flooded chambers. We jumped from small waterfalls and floated deeper underground as cold water rushed around us. Thousands of glowworms glittered above our heads in a brilliant display of bioluminescence. Greenish blue dots illuminated the darkness of the cave like stars in the night sky. Book here!
Good to Know. Personal cameras are not allowed in the cave to maintain participant safety. The rule forces you to live in the moment and appreciate the beauty. Photos can be purchased after the tour.
Hobbiton Movie Set
Hobbiton is the fictional movie set built for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit Trilogies. The whimsical village spans a verdant hillside of a functioning sheep farm. Dirt walkways meander past “hobbit holes” built into the faces of grassy mounds. Round doorways and tiny windows peer inside. Flower and veggie gardens sprout beyond wooden picket fences. Smoke rises from brick chimneys poking out of the hilltops. Guided tours include stops at iconic film sights like Bag End, The Party Field, Bagshot Row and The Green Dragon Inn.
Bag End. The famed “hobbit hole” home to Bilbo and Frodo. It’s built into the top of grassy hill beneath a large tree. Its green painted round door is left slightly ajar as if inviting guests in for afternoon tea.
Party Field. A grassy field in the middle of Hobbiton where Bilbo’s 111th birthday party is held. Ride the teeter totter or play lawn games like quoits.
Bagshot Row. A lovely row of intricately designed “hobbit holes.” Beyond their round doors is a series of meticulously designed wooden tunnels, cozy chambers and warmly lit rooms with hobbit sized furniture, Shire decor, working fireplaces and numerous hidden easter eggs.
Second Breakfast Tour. A specialty tour of Hobbiton based on the beloved concept of “second breakfast.” The tour includes a feast worthy of respectable hobbits or a company of dwarfs. A vast dining table within The Millhouse is covered in spreads of fresh baked scones, muffins, breads and pastries. Dishes are plated with a variety of cheeses, meats, fruits and eggs. Vegan sausage, tofu, mushrooms and potatoes can be requested for vegetarians. Carafes sit on the side with teas, coffee and juices
The Green Dragon Inn. A warm and cozy shire pub and gathering place for hobbits and dwarfs. Come here to sit around a roaring fireplace with a “tankard” of locally brewed beer made especially for Hobbiton!
Good to Know. A majority of the hobbit holes are not actually accessible. Bag End only recently opened a gives a true glimpse into the life of the hobbits.
Pro Tip. Book tours directly through Hobbiton Movie Set Tours up to 10 months in advance!
Māori & Kiwi Cuisine
New Zealand Pies. Personal sized pies with a flaky crust and filled with a range of savory ingredients like vegetables, meats and seafoods are common across New Zealand. They’re often served at cafes and fast food restaurants.
Ika Mata. Raw fish marinated in coconut cream with tomatoes and scallions.
Paua. A type of sea snail native to the waters of New Zealand. It’s served raw, sautéed, in soups and fritters.
Fish & Chips. A classic pairing of fried fish and potatoes. It’s common among current and former British territories.
Kumara. A yellow potato with a slightly sweet flavor and starchy texture. It’s often served as fried with fish and chips.
Manuka Tea. A herbal black tea with a pine forward flavor. It’s made from the leaves of a bushy evergreen tree.
Manuka Honey. Bush honey, famed for its antibiotic properties, made by bees that pollinate the manuka trees.
Toasties. Buttered and griddled white bread sandwiches often served at breakfast.
Places to Eat & Drink
Eat Street. A pedestrian street in the center of Rotorua with restaurants, bars and nightly live music. Come here to eat drink and be merry!
The Fainting Goat. A restaurant on Eat Street with a menu of shareable plates, house brewed beers and New Zealand gins. Try the salt and pepper squid, tarakihi fish tostadas and pumpkin frites with truffle honey.
Brew Craft Beer Pub. A pub on Eat Street with fried snacks, pizzas, burgers and local beers.
Lady Jane’s Ice Cream. An ice cream shop on Eat Street with dozens of classic and local flavors. Try the Black Doris Plum and Hokey Pokey, honey toffee in vanilla ice cream.
Kai Caff Aye. A restaurant specializing in traditional Māori cuisine. Come here for Kai Moana (sea food). Try the chowder of Paua (sea snail) in a pocket of fry bread and Ika Mata.
Devon Sea Foods. A takeaway seafood kitchen with fish & chips, fish burgers and other fresh caught New Zealand fish meals. Try the Tarakihi Fish with Kumara Chips.
Where to Stay
Rotoroa Airbnb. A ground floor apartment in a home with a small kitchenette. It’s close to the city’s geothermal sights and walking distance to cafes and restaurants. Book here.
Location Specifics
Language. English is the most commonly spoken language in New Zealand. Māori is frequently written on street and road signs.
Cash vs Card. Credit card is accepted for virtually every payment. We did not need to use cash once.
Carry Your ID. When ordering alcohol, be prepared to show your passport to verify your age.
Rental Cars. We rented a car with Auto Union at the Auckland airport. The agency has affordable rates and hundreds of positive reviews.
Drive on the Left. Like many former British colonies, New Zealanders drive on the left side of the road.
Elsewhere on the North Island
There is so much to see on New Zealand’s North Island. We spent several days roadtripping between the lake towns of Rotorua and Taupō followed by a weekend in the metropolis of Auckland. We visited geothermal parks, hiked volcanic landscapes, white water rafted, tubed through glowworm caves, canopied in redwood forests and ate second breakfast at Hobbiton.
For Next Time…
Visit the South Island. Seeing the snow covered mountains of the South Island from our airplane window left us with major sense of fomo. When we return, we plan to spend at least two weeks exploring the South Island.
Fiordland National Park. A glacier carved fjord flanked by forested mountains and rugged mountains.
Lake Tekapo. A bright blue lake surrounded by scenic views snow covered mountains and springtime blooms of lupin flowers.
Tasman Glacier. A glacier with a turquoise lagoon and floating icebergs at its leading edge.
