Things to do in Rotorua
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Polynesian Spa
The Polynesian Spa is in the Government Gardens. A bathhouse was opened at these springs in 1882 and people have been swearing by the waters ever since. There is mineral bathing (36°C to 42°C) in several picturesque pools at the lake’s edge, marble-lined terraced pools and a larger, main pool. Also housed in the modern complex are several more commercial activities such as luxury therapies (massage, mud and beauty treatments) as well as a cafe and gift shop.
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Tamaki Maori Village
Maori culture is a major drawcard in Rotorua and, although some find it heavily commercialised, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the indigenous culture of NZ. The two big activities are concerts and hangi meals, often packaged together in an evening’s entertainment that features the famous hongi, haka, and poi dances.
An established favourite is Tamaki Maori Village, which does an excellent twilight tour to a marae (meeting house) and Maori village 15km south of Rotorua. Buses collect from the Hinemaru St booking office and also from most accommodation, and feature a briefing on marae protocol by a Maori ‘entertainer’ (aka hilarious bus driver). The concer…
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Rotorua Museum of Art & History
This impressive museum, better known as the Bath House, is in a grand Tudor-style edifice in the Government Gardens. Originally an elegant spa retreat (it opened in 1908), displays in the former shower rooms give a fascinating insight into some of the eccentric therapies once practised here, including 'electric baths' and the Bergonie Chair.
A gripping 20-minute film on the history of Rotorua, including the Tarawera eruption, runs every 20 minutes from 9am (not for small kids – the seats vibrate and the eruption noises are authentic!). Also here is a collection of taonga (treasures) of Te Arawa, featuring woodcarving, flax weaving and jade. Other exhibits relate the stori…
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Rotorua Maori Hangi Dinner and Performance
3.5 hours (Departs Rotorua, New Zealand)
by Viator
Complete your adventure through Rotorua with a traditional Maori "hangi" feast. You'll travel by coach to Tamaki Maori Village where your local guide will escor…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$79.63 -
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Blue Baths
Within the Government gardens are the gorgeous Spanish Mission–style Blue Baths, which opened in 1933 (and, amazingly, were closed from 1982 to 1999). Today you can visit a small museum (open 10am to 5pm) recalling the building’s heyday, with recorded anecdotes and displays in the old changing rooms. If it all makes you feel like taking a dip yourself, the heated pool awaits. Ask about occasional dinner-and-cabaret shows (per person from $125).
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O’Keefe’s Fishing Specialists
There’s always good fishing to be had somewhere around the lakes. You can hire guides to fish for trout or go solo, but either way a licence (per day/season $21/105) is essential, available from O’Keefe’s Fishing Specialists. You can fish Rotorua’s lakefront with a licence, though not all lakes can be fished year-round; check with O’Keefe’s.
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St Faith’s Anglican Church
The historic St Faith’s Anglican Church is intricately decorated with Maori carvings, tukutuku (woven panels), painted scrollwork and stained-glass windows. One window features an image of Christ wearing a Maori cloak as he appears to walk on the waters of Lake Rotorua.
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Kaituna River White Water Rafting from Rotorua
3 hours (Departs Rotorua, New Zealand)
by Viator
Kaituna River features grade 5 rapids plus the awesome 7 meter (21 feet) Tutea Falls, the worlds highest commercially rafted waterfall. Take the ultimate thrill…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$75.08 -
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Indian Star
Getting rave reviews from travellers, this is one of several Indian eateries around town, elevating itself above the competition with immaculate service and marvellous renditions of subcontinental classics. Generous portions and a good vegetarian selection.
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Paradise Valley Ventures
The very safe and professional Paradise Valley Ventures takes treks for novices and experienced riders through a 700-acre farm north of Rotorua. Shorter and longer treks also available.
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Pheasant Plucker
A place for a proper pint, but this time á l’Anglais. The Pheasant proffers locally brewed and British beer, along with bangers ’n’ mash and nonstop carvery with Yorkshire pud (mains $15 to $36).
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Pak N Save
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Te Puia
Pohutu and the Prince of Wales’ Feathers geyser are part of Te Puia, the most polished of NZ’s Maori cultural attractions. Also here is the National Carving & Weaving School, where you can discover the work and methods of traditional Maori weavers and woodcarvers. More of these arts are displayed at Rotowhio Marae, which has a carved meeting house. Also here are a cafe, two museums, a Kiwi reserve and a gift shop that stocks an excellent range of arts and crafts.
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Whakarewarewa Thermal Village
Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, on the eastern side of Te Whakarewarewa, is a living village, where tangata whenua (the locals) still reside, as they and their ancestors have for centuries. It’s these local villagers who show you around and tell you the stories of their way of life and the significance of the steamy bubbling pools, silica terraces and the geysers that, although inaccessible from the village, are easily viewed from vantage points.
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Mokoia Island Wai Ora Experiences
Mokoia Island Wai Ora Experiences has exclusive rights to take visitors to Mokoia Island, and offers several tours. The 2½- to three-hour Ultimate Island Experience tour (9.30am, 1pm and 3pm) includes hearing famous tales of the island and takes you to the legendary hot pool of Hinemoa. This is followed by an indigenous food tasting. The shorter 1½- to two-hour Taste of Mokoia tour is similar but with less of a walkabout.
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Mitai Maori Village
This family-run outfit offers a popular three-hour evening event of concert performance, hangi and glowworm bushwalk, which can be combined with a tour of Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park next door where you can enjoy the coloured nightlights and walk through the open Kiwi enclosure (four hours total, adult/child under 9/child under 15 $116/31.50/63). Pick-ups are available.
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Active Volcano Helicopter Landings from Rotorua
by Viator
Imagine taking a helicopter flight over an active volcano Well, here is your chance to do just that on a sightseeing tour of Rotorua by helicopter. You'll spot …
Not LP reviewed
from USD$587.74 -
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Lime Caffeteria
Sitting on a quiet, leafy corner near the lake, this refreshing cafe is especially good for alfresco breakfasts and dishes with a welcome twist: try the chicken-and-chorizo salad or prawn-and-salmon risotto in lime sauce. It also offers classy counter snacks, excellent coffee and outdoor tables. ‘This is the best lunch I’ve had in ages’, says one happy punter.
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Capers Epicurean
This slick, barnlike deli is always busy with diners showing up for cabinets crammed full of delicious gourmet sandwiches, pastries, salads and cakes, and an excellent blackboard menu of brekkies and other tasty hot foods (try the carrot, leek and fetta lasagne). There’s also a deli section stocked with olive oils, marinades, relish, jams and chocolates.
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Rotorua Eco Thermal Small Group Full-Day Tour
8 hours (Departs Rotorua, New Zealand)
by Viator
Tour Rotorua's most popular geothermal parks and colorful lakes on a day trip led by a local naturalist guide. You'll see the Lady Knox Geyser erupt, visit the …
Not LP reviewed
from USD$166.84 Advertisement
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Pig & Whistle
This excellent microbrewery pub in the former police station offers a conducive atmosphere in which to enjoy its Swine lager (big-screen TV, beer garden, live music Thursday to Saturday), while serving up some of the best simple grub in town (mains $19 to $30). Their menu runs the gamut from spare ribs to a gluten-free vegetarian toastie.
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Mana Adventures
To explore the lake under your own steam, head for Mana Adventures, which offers (weather permitting) rental of pontoon boats (per hour $95), pedal boats (20 minutes per adult/child $8/5) and kayaks (per hour/half day $25/50). It also runs one-hour lake cruises (per adult/child $55/30) and runs trout-fishing charters.
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Fat Dog Café
With paw prints up the walls and silly poems painted on the chairs, this is the town’s friskiest and most child-friendly eatery. During the day it dishes up big bowls of brekkie, nachos, salads and sandwiches; in the evening it’s candlelit lamb and venison. The only cafe in NZ brave enough to play Unskinny Bop by Poison.
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Rotorua Eco Thermal Small Group Morning Tour
3 hours (Departs Rotorua, New Zealand)
by Viator
Take a unique half-day journey through Rotorua's geothermal parks on a morning trip led by a local naturalist guide. You'll watch the Lady Knox Geyser erupt and…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$106.17 -
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Zippy Central Bar & Café
A snappy little cafe with a decidedly retro groove (Laminex tables, an ultracool booth…), Zippy zips up all sorts of tasty food from breakfast, sandwiches, snacks to stir-fries and curries. There are plenty of healthy options, which is probably why this place is popular with cyclists and other wholesome types.
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