Things to do in Rotorua

Rotorua's main attraction lies in its beautiful natural landscapes and its geothermal sites. Here visitors can see vibrantly coloured pools, geysers shooting water, a hot-water waterfall and much more. But geothermal sites arent the only places of attraction to visit in Rotorua, as there are many other interesting attractions, including a buried village and a sheep farm.

Te Puia

Te Pua, located in the Whakarewarewa area, is one of the best places to learn about Maori culture and geothermal activity. The centre was built as one complex, but was later divided into two. The top area, which includes a vast area of the geothermal park and the Arts and Craft Centre, is called Te Puia. There is also a Kiwi House here, where a few of New Zealands national birds are kept. There are guided tours, at no cost, that will cover the main areas of interest within this large site. The other part of the complex is home to a Maori village.

Buried Village

A volcanic eruption destroyed the Te Wairoa village in 1886. The village was destroyed by the gushing hot lava from Mount Tarawera. Today, the village has been partly excavated and tourists can visit the ruins. There is also a quaint and very interesting museum here that has artists impressions of the village and a few artefacts that have been recovered on-site. Nearby you can see a trout stream and a stunning 100-foot high waterfall.

Blue and Green lakes

These unusual lakes are located about 2 hours drive from the city. What makes this an interesting place to stop is not just the wonderful vistas and tranquillity of the area, but also the viewing point of the two lakes. From here, visitors can take marvellous photos of the lakes, one being a beautiful shade of blue and the other emerald green.

Wai-O-Tapu

This site has been referred to as being New Zealands most colourful geothermal area. Stretching across the area are many pools of coloured water. There is also a geyser and silica terraces to be admired. The many walking paths that take you over regional bush allow you to fully explore the vastness and beauty of Wai-O-Tapu.

Agrodome

Mostly everyone knows that New Zealand is famous for its sheep, but not everyone knows how many different breeds of sheep there are. The Agrodome displays almost every breed of sheep found in New Zealand. There are shows where visitors can see how sheepdogs herd or watch a sheep being shorn as well as opportunities to milk cows, feed lambs and learn about New Zealands agricultural history. You will be surprised by some of the amazing facts that can be learnt here.

Tamaki Maori Village

If you want to experience some authentic Maori culture and hospitality, you must visit the Tamaki Maori Village, where it is necessary to join a tour. Visitors are welcomed with a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony and then walked through the village, which is a re-creation of what it was like here prior to Europeans landing on New Zealand. Later, visitors can enjoy authentic Maori cuisine, songs, dances and stories told by Maoris. There are also opportunities to watch local crafts being made and finally, a farewell ceremony.

Kuirau Park

This lovely 30 hectare park is located close to the city centre and has become famous for its boiling lake, due to the geothermal activity in the area. The park also has a geothermal heated foot pool, a scented garden, lovely areas to witness geothermal activity, a childrens playground and playing fields.

Hells Gate Geothermal Reserve

The park covers about 50 acres and has a large variety of geothermal characteristics. There are steaming fumaroles, pools of boiling mud and steam blowing out of holes in the ground. The most spectacular sight is the Kakahi Falls, which is the largest hot-watered waterfall in the southern hemisphere.