Discover Rotorua and find hotels

Rotorua combines trails through redwood forests with geothermal sites, Māori culture and spa offerings. When choosing your destination, first consider which experiences you want to shape your stay: longer cycling or walking tours, short forest trails, steaming geothermal areas or a cultural experience. The different routes and facilities give you concrete points of reference for planning and searching for a hotel in Rotorua.

Redwoods: forest trails on foot and by bike

Whakarewarewa Forest, also known as the Redwoods, has more than 180 kilometres of mountain bike trails through native and introduced forest. The Redwoods forest also has a network of mountain bike and walking trails among giant redwood trees. Entry to the forest and its trails is free. Walking trails in Whakarewarewa Forest start at Redwoods isite, where you can get a map of the forest trails. Visitor centre operations may change, so check these details in advance.

The trails vary considerably in length and character. The Redwood Memorial Grove Track is an easy two-kilometre walk with a boardwalk over an old thermal pond. By comparison, the Whakarewarewa Circuit is a 34-kilometre, full-day hike around the forest, estimated to take about eight hours. The Waitawa Walk covers 3.4 kilometres through redwoods and a stand of Douglas firs. For views, there is the 4.8-kilometre Quarry Lookout Track, which looks out over the Redwood Grove, Rotorua city and Lake Rotorua, as well as the 7.5-kilometre Pohaturoa Track to a viewpoint overlooking the Whakarewarewa geothermal valley, the city and the lake.

The shorter combined trails also differ: the 3.6-kilometre Mokopuna Trail is designed for easy family outings. The 1.7-kilometre Puarenga Stream Track is considered family-friendly and leads to a scenic picnic area by the stream. For mountain bikers, the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop is another option: this 33-kilometre circuit is mostly a one-way route ridden clockwise. Trail conditions may change, so check them before setting out.

Geothermal attractions in the park and by the lake

At Kuirau Park, you can see natural geothermal activity: water boils, bubbles and steams. The park is considered New Zealand’s only free public geothermal park. Paths lead to a crater lake, mud pools, hot springs and a free thermal foot bath. Barbecue areas, picnic tables, a children’s playground and toilets round out the facilities. The park is free to enter, within walking distance of Rotorua city centre, and offers free parking.

Sulphur Point provides access to the Rotorua Walking Track, as well as opportunities to observe wildlife and the colourful Sulphur Flats. When planning your day, you can choose between the geothermal features at Kuirau Park and a lakeside route with views of the Sulphur Flats, without treating the two places as offering the same experiences.

Māori culture, wildlife and spa

In the Rotorua District, Te Puia is a Māori cultural and geothermal destination in the heart of Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. All daytime visits are guided; visitor arrangements may change, so check before planning your visit. The Te Rā Guided experience takes you through geysers, bubbling mud pools and native bush. At the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, carvers and weavers keep traditional skills alive. At the Kiwi Conservation Centre, visitors can see New Zealand’s native kiwi birds up close. The Te Rā + Haka experience includes a traditional Māori cultural performance.

The Tuku Iho Trail includes a tasting of sweet corn cooked in natural geothermal hot pools. The Pātaka Kai Restaurant at Te Puia serves food with views over the geothermal valley. Individual experiences and restaurant offerings may change; check the latest details before visiting.

Polynesian Spa has 28 mineral pools across four areas. Its geothermal water comes from two springs: the acidic Priest Spring is considered beneficial for muscle tension, while the mineral-rich Rachel Spring nourishes the skin. Facilities include historic Pavilion Pools, which are for adults only, as well as family pools with a freshwater swimming area and a water slide. The offerings also include hydrotherapy, geothermal mud wraps, body and facial treatments, and yoga, meditation and sound-healing classes. Facilities and programmes may change, so check the latest details if these offerings are important to your decision.

Plan a market visit

A farmers’ market is held at Kuirau Park every Saturday from 6 am to 1 pm. Check the market hours before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Atiamuri, Reporoa, Waikite Valley, Hamurana, Lake Tarawera, Okere Falls, Mourea.

Go to the main travel overview: Rotorua District.