Guidebook for Rotorua
Parks & Nature
It's a beautiful lake and you can walk all the way around it. It has a children's playground. One of the must sees!
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Blue Lake
It's a beautiful lake and you can walk all the way around it. It has a children's playground. One of the must sees!
It's a stunning lake and it has a sandy area, BBQ area and children's playground. It's a short drive away and a lesser known spot.
Boyes Beach
73 Millar RdIt's a stunning lake and it has a sandy area, BBQ area and children's playground. It's a short drive away and a lesser known spot.
A themal scenic wonderland and home of ladyknox geyser
https://www.waiotapu.co.nz/
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Wai-O-Tapu
201 Waiotapu Loop RdA themal scenic wonderland and home of ladyknox geyser
https://www.waiotapu.co.nz/
Take a walk from the accommodation through the forest along the mokopuna track or go down long mile road to the information centre and take one of the many strolls around our beautiful forest
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Redwoods - Whakarewarewa-skogen
Take a walk from the accommodation through the forest along the mokopuna track or go down long mile road to the information centre and take one of the many strolls around our beautiful forest
Want to see geothermal activity for free? This is the place to come! Walk across the board walk over the steaming lake (Corner of Ranolf street and Lake Road). From here walk around the park checking out the bubbling mud, hot springs, crater lake and have a free themal foot bath. Use one of the BBQ’s and let the kids burn off excess energy on the playground
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Kuirau Park - Lerpölar
Kuirau StreetWant to see geothermal activity for free? This is the place to come! Walk across the board walk over the steaming lake (Corner of Ranolf street and Lake Road). From here walk around the park checking out the bubbling mud, hot springs, crater lake and have a free themal foot bath. Use one of the BBQ’s and let the kids burn off excess energy on the playground
Get up close and personal with NZ Falcon, much rarer than kiwi. The centre rescues birds. The ones that cannot be released are bred and the chicks are trained to catch food before they are released. The Centre demonstrates the training and tells you about these fascinating birds who are like the kiwi struggling for survival. You must book before hand, we booked to sit on the far bench (number 7) and the birds landed on us quite a few times, apparently it's their favorite bench.
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Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre
1334 Paradise Valley RdGet up close and personal with NZ Falcon, much rarer than kiwi. The centre rescues birds. The ones that cannot be released are bred and the chicks are trained to catch food before they are released. The Centre demonstrates the training and tells you about these fascinating birds who are like the kiwi struggling for survival. You must book before hand, we booked to sit on the far bench (number 7) and the birds landed on us quite a few times, apparently it's their favorite bench.
Lake Okataina
It's a stunning walk with beautiful views.
Free themal pool to bathe, please be aware of health risks and it's best not to put your head under the water.
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Kerosene Creek
Old Waiotapu RoadFree themal pool to bathe, please be aware of health risks and it's best not to put your head under the water.
(Maori) Iwi ran natural themal pool, it's not very expensive. If you have children this is a better hot water pool to go to than the Polynesian spa. It's a great scenic drive to get there. Basic changing facilities and long-drop toilet but don't let that put you off
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Waitangi Soda Springs
59 Manawahe Rd(Maori) Iwi ran natural themal pool, it's not very expensive. If you have children this is a better hot water pool to go to than the Polynesian spa. It's a great scenic drive to get there. Basic changing facilities and long-drop toilet but don't let that put you off
Spectacular crystal clear water. The spring spouts four million litres of water per hour – enough to fill two Olympic sized swimming pools each day, before flowing downstream to Lake Rotorua. You cannot swim here but you can take a stroll around the stream amongst the redwood trees. Prices as of April 2018 Adults $18 children $8 (children 9 and under are free http://hamurana.co.nz
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Hamurana Springs Nature Reserve
773 Hamurana RdSpectacular crystal clear water. The spring spouts four million litres of water per hour – enough to fill two Olympic sized swimming pools each day, before flowing downstream to Lake Rotorua. You cannot swim here but you can take a stroll around the stream amongst the redwood trees. Prices as of April 2018 Adults $18 children $8 (children 9 and under are free http://hamurana.co.nz
This is a (5/6 hour) hike which ends up at hot water beach, you can camp over night before hiking back or book a water taxi to take you there and back or hike there and get a taxi back
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Tarawera Trail
1180 Tarawera RdThis is a (5/6 hour) hike which ends up at hot water beach, you can camp over night before hiking back or book a water taxi to take you there and back or hike there and get a taxi back
See lions up close. They get fed at 2pm. There are lots of other animals which you can feed as well as eels and trout.
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Paradise Valley Springs
467 Paradise Valley RdSee lions up close. They get fed at 2pm. There are lots of other animals which you can feed as well as eels and trout.
New and exciting playground for all ages situated at Rotorua Lakefront. Bring a scooter to ride the mini road or a basketball 🏀. Take a walk with the family along the boardwalk, grab an icecream or a coffee.
Lakefront Playground
Lakefront DriveNew and exciting playground for all ages situated at Rotorua Lakefront. Bring a scooter to ride the mini road or a basketball 🏀. Take a walk with the family along the boardwalk, grab an icecream or a coffee.
Entertainment & Activities
See the nature during the day and magic during the night. You can purchase tickets for either day or night or a combination so you can return during the evening. This is about a 20 minute walk from our accommodation.
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Redwoods Treewalk
Tarawera RoadSee the nature during the day and magic during the night. You can purchase tickets for either day or night or a combination so you can return during the evening. This is about a 20 minute walk from our accommodation.
These pools are a bit out of town but are great to visit. There is a few pools to choose from, it's great for couples, groups and families. They have nice facilities and are clean and well looked after. There is a short walk to look at some thermal activity. It's not far from rainbow mountain and is nice to go to afterwards to relax after your walk.
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Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
648 Waikite Valley RdThese pools are a bit out of town but are great to visit. There is a few pools to choose from, it's great for couples, groups and families. They have nice facilities and are clean and well looked after. There is a short walk to look at some thermal activity. It's not far from rainbow mountain and is nice to go to afterwards to relax after your walk.
You can't come to Rotorua and not go on the luge! They also have other activities here such as skyswing and ziplines
https://www.skyline.co.nz/en/rotorua/
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Skyline Rotorua
178 Fairy Springs RdYou can't come to Rotorua and not go on the luge! They also have other activities here such as skyswing and ziplines
https://www.skyline.co.nz/en/rotorua/
Indoor activities such as bowling, mini golf, trampoline park, indoor children's playground, escape masters
https://www.motionentertainment.co.nz/
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Motion Entertainment Rotorua
366 Te Ngae RdIndoor activities such as bowling, mini golf, trampoline park, indoor children's playground, escape masters
https://www.motionentertainment.co.nz/
Agrodome
141 Western RdFarm tour.
https://www.agrodome.co.nz/
Rotorua is world famous for mountain biking. We have world class tracks in the forest and also at the skyline. THere are tracks to suit everyone from extreme mountain bikers to beginners. There are children's tracks, they are all graded so you know what to expect. You can hire bikes and also catch a shuttle with your bike or hired bike.
https://redwoods.co.nz/bike/
https://www.mtbrotorua.co.nz/
http://www.planetbike.co.nz/
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Mountain Bike Rotorua
Waipa State Mill RoadRotorua is world famous for mountain biking. We have world class tracks in the forest and also at the skyline. THere are tracks to suit everyone from extreme mountain bikers to beginners. There are children's tracks, they are all graded so you know what to expect. You can hire bikes and also catch a shuttle with your bike or hired bike.
https://redwoods.co.nz/bike/
https://www.mtbrotorua.co.nz/
http://www.planetbike.co.nz/
RailCruising is the new tourist activity that allows people just like you the ability to travel along railway lines in your own powered self-drive, 4-seat railway vehicle called the RailCruiser
http://www.railcruising.com
Rail Cruising - Self drive rail cars
RailCruising is the new tourist activity that allows people just like you the ability to travel along railway lines in your own powered self-drive, 4-seat railway vehicle called the RailCruiser
http://www.railcruising.com
Thermal pool which also offers spa treatments. The adult themal pools are lakeside and are nicely done. They do not allow children into this area but there is a family pool area which has a cooler pool and silde and two smaller pools, one warm and the other is quite hot. This family pool has a wall around it and the pools are concrete. It is clean, has nice toilet and changing area and a life guard on duty. The family area does not have any views which is a shame but I believe children are allowed in other sections but it is more expensive
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Polynesian Spa
1000 Hinemoa StThermal pool which also offers spa treatments. The adult themal pools are lakeside and are nicely done. They do not allow children into this area but there is a family pool area which has a cooler pool and silde and two smaller pools, one warm and the other is quite hot. This family pool has a wall around it and the pools are concrete. It is clean, has nice toilet and changing area and a life guard on duty. The family area does not have any views which is a shame but I believe children are allowed in other sections but it is more expensive
The Sanctuary is a luxurious, quiet space and a second core area to explore and experience at Wai Ariki. This is an exclusive, thermal bathing and spa experience and holds culture and wellness at its core. Rest and find stillness through mineral bathing & spa treatments. Unique pool experiences within the Sanctuary are combined with spa experiences inspired by centuries-old, Ngāti Whakaue traditional healing practices. Spa treatments provide access to the Sanctuary.
Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa
The Sanctuary is a luxurious, quiet space and a second core area to explore and experience at Wai Ariki. This is an exclusive, thermal bathing and spa experience and holds culture and wellness at its core. Rest and find stillness through mineral bathing & spa treatments. Unique pool experiences within the Sanctuary are combined with spa experiences inspired by centuries-old, Ngāti Whakaue traditional healing practices. Spa treatments provide access to the Sanctuary.
Relax in your own cedar hot tub surrounded by ferns, overlooking the stunning Whakarewarewa Forest and Puarenga Stream.
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Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua
13/33 Waipa State Mill RdRelax in your own cedar hot tub surrounded by ferns, overlooking the stunning Whakarewarewa Forest and Puarenga Stream.
Food Scene
It's a street undercover with a selection of resturants, walk along and look at the menus before trying to decide which one to choose! Take a stroll by the lake afterwards.
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Eat Street
Tutanekai StreetIt's a street undercover with a selection of resturants, walk along and look at the menus before trying to decide which one to choose! Take a stroll by the lake afterwards.
House of Spice
352D Te Ngae RdThey do a good curry and it's walking distance
Nice place to go for a meal or drink or both. It's walking distance too.
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Good Eastern Taphouse
279 Te Ngae RdNice place to go for a meal or drink or both. It's walking distance too.
Sequoia Eatery Rotorua
10 Tarawera RdThey have good cofee and nice meals
If you are I town and want a cheap meal grab yourself a platter from here
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The Fainting Goat
1154 Tutanekai StreetIf you are I town and want a cheap meal grab yourself a platter from here
It's quaint and it's walking distance
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Giovanni's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
352 Te Ngae RoadIt's quaint and it's walking distance
Sightseeing
wonderful views, it's on the road between Rotorua and Taupo. It us Not far from a walk to the top of a mountain, we have taken our children when they were 6 and they coped with the walk. It takes about an hour to walk to the top. You could stop here on the way in our out of town or combine with kerosene creek or Waikete thermal pools as a day trip.
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Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve
wonderful views, it's on the road between Rotorua and Taupo. It us Not far from a walk to the top of a mountain, we have taken our children when they were 6 and they coped with the walk. It takes about an hour to walk to the top. You could stop here on the way in our out of town or combine with kerosene creek or Waikete thermal pools as a day trip.
Arts & Culture
Something a bit different, pose beside or on large paintings and see them come to life on your photo
http://www.3dtrickart.co.nz/
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3D Trick Art Gallery
171 Fairy Springs RdSomething a bit different, pose beside or on large paintings and see them come to life on your photo
http://www.3dtrickart.co.nz/
Immerse yourself in the traditional Maori way of life. Participate in warrior training, the poi dance and learning the haka (maori war dance). Enjoy displays of the arts weaving, wood carving and facial tattooing. Learn how your hangi meal has been cooked as you view it being lifted from beneath the ground.
https://www.tamakimaorivillage.co.nz/evening-experience
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Tamaki Maori Village
1220 Hinemaru StImmerse yourself in the traditional Maori way of life. Participate in warrior training, the poi dance and learning the haka (maori war dance). Enjoy displays of the arts weaving, wood carving and facial tattooing. Learn how your hangi meal has been cooked as you view it being lifted from beneath the ground.
https://www.tamakimaorivillage.co.nz/evening-experience
Take a stroll around Ohinemutu Maori village, See a Marae and geothermal activity. I like to walk alongside the lake and enter Ohinemutu via Mataiawhea street and turn right infront of the Marae onto korokai street. The church and cemetery have geothermal steam all around, it is almost eeriee at dusk, if you head left at the churchand carry on down the road you will see water bubbling away in a drain, a pond and another Marae, it's quite spectacular and slightly eerie at dawn with the geothermal mist floating around. There are tours available and a small shop. You can also head from here to kuirau park to see more geothermal activity.
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Ohinemutu
Take a stroll around Ohinemutu Maori village, See a Marae and geothermal activity. I like to walk alongside the lake and enter Ohinemutu via Mataiawhea street and turn right infront of the Marae onto korokai street. The church and cemetery have geothermal steam all around, it is almost eeriee at dusk, if you head left at the churchand carry on down the road you will see water bubbling away in a drain, a pond and another Marae, it's quite spectacular and slightly eerie at dawn with the geothermal mist floating around. There are tours available and a small shop. You can also head from here to kuirau park to see more geothermal activity.
If you only have a short amount of time here and want to experience the maori culture, Geothemal activitiy, a geyser and see a kiwi then this is the place for you.
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Te Puia station
If you only have a short amount of time here and want to experience the maori culture, Geothemal activitiy, a geyser and see a kiwi then this is the place for you.
The Sanctuary is grounded in te ao Māori principles and Ngāti Whakaue culture, traditional healing practices and manaakitanga and follows a pathway of unforgettable spa experiences that move you from heat to cool, mud to water, air to steam to maximise the therapeutic benefits. It is a luxurious, quiet space and a second core area to explore and experience at Wai Ariki. This is an exclusive, thermal bathing and spa experience and holds culture and wellness at its core. Rest and find stillness through mineral bathing & spa treatments. Unique pool experiences within the Sanctuary are combined with spa experiences inspired by centuries-old, Ngāti Whakaue traditional healing practices. Spa treatments provide access to the Sanctuary.
Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa
The Sanctuary is grounded in te ao Māori principles and Ngāti Whakaue culture, traditional healing practices and manaakitanga and follows a pathway of unforgettable spa experiences that move you from heat to cool, mud to water, air to steam to maximise the therapeutic benefits. It is a luxurious, quiet space and a second core area to explore and experience at Wai Ariki. This is an exclusive, thermal bathing and spa experience and holds culture and wellness at its core. Rest and find stillness through mineral bathing & spa treatments. Unique pool experiences within the Sanctuary are combined with spa experiences inspired by centuries-old, Ngāti Whakaue traditional healing practices. Spa treatments provide access to the Sanctuary.
Drinks & Nightlife
It's the place to hang out, drink, chat and listen to music Thursday - Sunday
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Pig & Whistle, Historic Pub
1182 Tutanekai StIt's the place to hang out, drink, chat and listen to music Thursday - Sunday
Essentials
PAK'nSAVE Rotorua
Amohau StreetTake your own bags or purchase some from there
Countdown Rotorua
246 Fenton StThey pack your groceries for you here
Small mall with a variety of shops, (Postoffice is in Paperplus)
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Central Mall Countdown
19 Victoria StSmall mall with a variety of shops, (Postoffice is in Paperplus)
Lynmore Superette
26 Lynmore AveAlso know as a dairy or newsagent, sells papers, lollies and some groceries.