Rotorua attractions

Take a short drive out of Rotorua and explore a village trapped in time. The Buried Village of Te Wairoa is a remarkable relic of Victorian-era New Zealand, preserved by volcanic ash from the 1886 Mt. Tarawera eruption. Walk around the village and marvel at this portal to the past, nestled in the Bay of Plenty forest.

New Zealand has the world’s highest sheep-to-human ratio, with an industry that is estimated to include 30 million sheep. At the Rotorua Agrodome—a 350-acre (142-hectare) working sheep farm just outside of town—visitors can help to shear sheep, tour the mill, and observe well-trained sheepdogs as they follow commands.

Lake Okareka is a local favorite for swimming, fishing, and boating. Children splash in refreshing water, surrounded by green hills, and anglers fish for rainbow trout, smelt, and long-finned eels. The lake is also popular with bird-watchers; visitors scan the shoreline for swans, coots, ducks, shags, pukeko, gulls, and stilts.

It’s tough to decide which is more beautiful: the cobalt hue of the aptly named Blue Lake sparkling in the midday sun, or the deep green of the Whakarewarewa Forest that hugs the shore of the lake. Either way, the natural beauty is what makes Lake Tikitapu an ideal place to connect with nature.

Lake Rotoiti is the boutique cousin to the larger Lake Rotorua. Though Rotoiti is connected to its massive neighbor by the narrow Ohau Channel, it has its own relaxed feel. Sunsets on Lake Rotoiti are beautiful, and the trout fishing here is some of the best on the North Island.

The Maori Arts and Crafts Institute (Te Puia) was established in the 1920s to protect the traditional arts of carving and weaving. Today Te Puia is a thriving educational institute and a unique experience of Maori culture: here you can watch students learn their craft, enjoy traditional cultural performances, and explore a rugged geothermal valley.

The ornate Blue Baths on the shores of Lake Rotorua, blend history, leisure, and high society. This building, which fuses art deco and Spanish mission styles, has been restored to its original splendor from 1933, when the thermally heated baths became New Zealand’s first place for “mixed bathing.”

Visitors to Velocity Valley choose from six adrenaline-fueled activities: Shweeb Racer, Swoop, Agrojet, Freefall Xtreme, Rotorua Bungy, and Freestyle Airbag. Each ride is suitable for daredevils of almost all ages. Activities can be purchased separately or combined as part of a tour package.

Though it’s right next to the wildly popular Blue Lake, the Green Lake—or Rotokakahi—is a privately owned lake that isn’t open to swimming, fishing, or boating. It is sacred to the Te Arawaiwi (tribe), who are the area’s original Maori inhabitants, because the lake was the site of important battles and numerous sacred burial grounds.

Hidden away in the dense Rotorua bush, Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park is home to a massive variety of wild and farmed animals, from native birds to llamas and alpacas to a pride of African lions. Spend the day walking around the tranquil Paradise Valley forest and enjoying close encounters with all sorts of friendly creatures.

Most white-water enthusiasts in New Zealand know about Kaituna River. Though the river itself is only 28 miles (45 kilometers) long, the site is home to the world’s tallest commercially rafted waterfall, the 21-foot (7-meter) Tutea Falls. The waterfall is a Class V rapid, but most of the river comprises Class III and IV rafting.

Visitors to the volcanic central North Island have plenty of natural geothermal bath options, but the Waikite Valley Hot Pools are a relaxing choice as they’re far from town. Visitors can soak in relaxing pools of varying temperatures. Before or after bathing, take a stroll along the Eco-Trail leading to the source to admire the native flora and views.

In the 1800s, Ohinemutu was a quiet Maori village that served as a gateway to the Rotorua region. Today it is a suburb of Rotorua city, but still retains much of its heritage. Take a stroll around the shores of Te Ruapeka Bay and enjoy the quiet—and the rich history—of this unassuming lakeside town.

The white-water rafting on the North Island of New Zealand is considered some of the world’s best. This wild river to the south of Rotorua has 8.5 miles (14 kilometers) of raging rapids that are consistent for most of the year. Visitors can splash, bounce, and paddle their way down the Rangitaiki River with a guide.