Itineraries for Your Trip to Rotorua
2 Days in Rotorua for First Timers
Rotorua is a firm fixture on most first timers’ visits to New Zealand, thanks to its unique geothermal landscapes combined with prominent Māori culture. In fact, images of the small city’s bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and spurting geysers are what many would-be visitors associate with the North Island. Although I live on New Zealand’s South Island these days, I know that no stay up north is complete without swinging by Rotorua.
Located on a geothermal plateau in the central North Island, it’s conveniently situated between Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Wellington, so the location appeals to many kinds of travelers. If you only have two days in Rotorua, here’s how to make the most of your time.
If you only have time for one thing, make it one of Rotorua’s geothermal parks: Whakarewarewa, Te Puia, or Hell’s Gate.
Rotorua’s location in the central North Island means it experiences colder winters than some coastal cities, but summers are generally warm: Pack layers.
Take your pick of the city’s geothermal parks this morning—there are a few to choose from, but with two days in Rotorua you don’t need to visit them all. Whakarewarewa, Te Puia, and Hell’s Gate all offer a range of cultural, active, and natural attractions alongside geothermal activity. Joining a guided tour is a great way of streamlining logistics to and from these parks.
This afternoon, head to the Redwood Forest at Whakarewarewa Forest, where you can participate in activities to suit your group. Stroll beneath the towering redwood trees or ride a mountain bike along forest trails. If you’re unafraid of heights, head up to the 28 suspension bridges strung high in the canopy on the redwoods treewalk—a truly unique experience.
Soak your day away at Rotorua’s hot springs, such as the beautiful Polynesian Spa, overlooking Lake Rotorua. The outdoor hot pools are fed with naturally heated, mineral-rich spring waters, so they’re a quintessential Rotorua experience. They’ve been a tourist attraction since the late-19th century, so you’re soaking in a slice of Rotorua history when you visit, too. They stay open late into the evening, so you can visit before or after dinner.
Get active this morning on an adventure to suit your risk appetite. Thrill seekers can join a white-water rafting adventure on the Kaituna River, which includes a paddle down the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall. If you prefer your adventures on dry land, join a guided hike to the crater of Mt. Tarawera, a volcano that erupted in 1886, destroying the famous Pink and White Terraces.
Take it easy this afternoon with a cruise on Lake Rotorua, which offers different views of the surrounding landscape. Lake Rotorua connects with the smaller Lake Rotoiti to its east via the Oahu Channel, and some cruises take you on a ride through the channel so you can visit both lakes. Other cruise options include high-speed jet boat tours and amphibious “duck” vessels that can go on land and water.
The Waitomo Caves may be the more famous place to see glowworms, but Rotorua has its own glowworm habitat, which you can see this evening on a guided bush walk after dark. You’ll be led through the forest in the dark so you don’t get lost, and told all about the dazzling glowworms as you look out for them, your eyes adjusting to the dim light.
