Rotorua: Itineraries

A Top Day in Rotorua

An early morning walk along the water's edge is a chance to breathe some of Rotorua's famous eggy air deep into my lungs and enjoy the tranquillity before the throng of fellow tourists wakes up and floods the lake. Breakfast is at Lime, on a leafy corner overlooking the lake park, one of the town's many excellent cafes serving great coffee as standard. Replete, it's up to Whakarewarea Thermal Village where the locals show me around their incredible bubbling mud pools, steamy vents and the only genuine thermal hangi in town from which emerges a buttery corncob, quickly gobbled up. Just around the corner is the Redwoods forest park. Here you can hire mountain bikes and blat through any number of trails. I opt for a two-hour dawdle on the flat before heading back into town for a well-earned micro-brewed beer at the Pig & Whistle, housed in the lovely old Police Station. After a rest in my room, I pack out to Mitai Maori Village for their evening concert and hangi, and tag on the optional but must-do night tour of Rainbow Springs where fairy lights twinkle in the treetops and kiwis scamper about the walk-through enclosure. In an ideal world, there'll be a good band on at Bar Barella and I'll have just enough energy left to down a couple of nightcaps and swing a hip.

Shop Online

Book Your Trip

Travel insurance. Be covered by our recommended partner.

Compare & book flights from 100's of domestic & international airlines.

Hotels & Hostels

Booking hotels is simple with Lonely Planet. See our reviewed and recommended hotels in one place and book online. Browse hotels ›

Lonely Planet Newsletters

Updates, offers and inspiration - straight to your inbox.
Subscribe now ›