Jump to navigation

Flight Centre
Flight Centre
133133
  1. Travel Destinations
  2. South Pacific
  3. New Zealand
  4. Rotorua
Print this page
Rotorua
Country
New Zealand
Official Language
English, Māori
Currency
NZ Dollar (NZD)
Tweet
Overview
Gallery
City scoop

Rotorua Destination Guide

Rotorua Holidays

Dramatic spouting geysers, warm springs, bubbling mud, healing spas – welcome to Rotorua, one of the few places on the planet where the awesome living, breathing power of the Earth below the surface is continuously exposed.

An early hotspot in the history of New Zealand tourism, visitors are often lured by the prospect of an insight into a geothermic landscape in varying stages of wakefulness. Instead, they find a town and region brimming with surprises.

This heartland of Maori culture is literally an adventure playground with a combination of volcanic wonderland and picturesque recreational lakes, forests, parks and reserves. It all adds up to a family-friendly destination with a difference.

If you’re feeling adventurous...

  • Hold tight on a Kawarau Jet Boat
  • Have  a ball at Zorb Rotorua
  • Zip downhill on Skyline’s luge 

Top Attractions

There is so much more to Rotorua than the geothermal attractions that make the headlines for first-time visitors. One of the most common mistakes is to treat the region as a one or two-day stop on a road trip around New Zealand given there is so much to see and do.

Apart from the multiple opportunities to view this showcase of the Earth’s thermal power, you can fish for trout in one of 14 beautiful lakes, walk through giant redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest, cruise Lake Rotorua or otherwise enjoy lakeside watersports, go white water rafting at Okere Falls, go mountain-biking, hiking, luging, or simply relax in a world-class spa resort.

Make sure, too, that you take the chance to gain at least a little understanding of Maori culture with a visit to a Maori village.

Feel the volcanic vibes at...

  • Te Puia geothermal valley
  • The city central Kuirau Park
  • Sulphur Point walkway

Launch Rotorua photo gallery »

Champagne Pool, Waiotapu Geothermal Area
Champagne Pool, Waiotapu Geothermal Area
Geothermal Springs
 

Eat and Drink

Don’t miss the chance to take part in a hangi – a traditional Maori feast where the food is cooked below ground in an earthen oven. You will find a hangi as part of the Maori village cultural shows. “Steam box” is a modern twist on a unique technique and another way the Maori harnessed the power of the Earth for cooking and heating. It is part of the Te Puia cultural experience.

Otherwise, there are lots of options to suit all tastes in central Rotorua, from fish and chips to fine dining, from cafes to bars and good old-fashioned pubs – you can even cruise and eat on Lake Rotorua on the Lakeland Queen paddle steamer.

Enjoy the hangi and haka at...

  • Mitai Māori Village
  • Ohinemutu Māori Village
  • Tamaki Māori Village

Where to Stay

Lakeside lodges, central hotels … it is unlikely you will struggle to find a place to stay in Rotorua, even less so if you book in advance. There is a wide range of accommodation on offer to suit all budgets, from self-contained homes and apartments through B&Bs, hotels and motels to the most luxurious spa retreats and lodges.

The greatest concentration of hotels and motels is on mid-town Fenton Street, but wherever you are in Rotorua, you are never far from the main attractions.  For something completely different for most visitors, combine cultural insight with a communal stay in a traditional Maori village.

Shopping

Souvenirs are more than likely to top the shopping list of any visit to Rotorua and you will be spoiled for choice with several stores offering a range, from local, traditional handicrafts and carvings to the quirky contemporary. For more luxurious gifts, you will find quality jade jewellery and art at Mountain Jade in Fenton Street.

If more mainstream shopping, including fashion, is on your agenda, you will find a range of specialty stores in the central Rotorua Mall and in and around Fenton and Tutanekai streets. Rotorua also boasts several excellent stores catering to the great outdoors. If fishing is your thing, indulge.

Soak in the curative waters of...

  • Hells Gate’s mud bath and spa
  • Polynesian Spa’s mineral pools
  • Wai Ora’s luxury lakeside spa

Rotorua Like a Local

You will find lots of locals at the regular weekly markets. Enjoy breakfast, including Maori and international foods, on Saturday mornings at the flea market in Kuirau Park before searching for a bargain.

On Thursdays, browse the tasty artisan produce and locally made fashion and crafts at the Rotorua Night Market. It opens at 5pm on Tutanekai Street.

Holiday »

Distinction Rotorua Hotel »

3 nights
From $1,175*

Other Destinations in New Zealand

  • Auckland Destination Guide
  • Wellington Destination Guide
  • Queenstown Destination Guide
  • Christchurch Destination Guide
  • Dunedin Destination Guide
  • Wanaka Destination Guide

Rotorua Travel Deals

  • Rotorua Airfares and Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Car Hire
  • Home
  • Flights
      1. col1
        1. Domestic Flights »
        2. Flights to Adelaide
        3. Flights to Brisbane
        4. Flights to Canberra
        5. Flights to Gold Coast
        6. Flights to Melbourne
        7. Flights to Perth
        8. Flights to Sydney
        9. All Domestic Flights »
        10. Red Label Fares
      2. col2
        1. International Flights »
        2. Flights to Bali
        3. Flights to Bangkok
        4. Flights to Fiji
        5. Flights to Hawaii
        6. Flights to London
        7. Flights to Los Angeles
        8. Flights to New York
        9. Flights to Paris
        10. Flights to Phuket
        11. All International Flights »
        12. Round the World »
        13. Multi-stop »
      3. col3

        1. Airlines »

        2. Cabin Classes »
        3. Premium economy »
        4. Business class »
        5. First class »

        6. Airport Guides »

        7. Plan & Prepare »
  • Holiday Packages
      1. col1
        1. Australia Holidays »
        2. Adelaide
        3. Brisbane
        4. Cairns
        5. Gold Coast
        6. Melbourne
        7. Noosa
        8. Perth
        9. Queensland
        10. Sydney
        11. Tasmania
        12. View by state »

      2. col2
        1. International Holidays »
        2. Bali
        3. Bangkok
        4. Europe
        5. Fiji
        6. Hawaii
        7. London
        8. Los Angeles
        9. New York
        10. New Zealand
        11. Paris
        12. Phuket
        13. All regions »
      3. col3
        1. Holiday Types »
        2. Adventure
        3. Ski Holidays
        4. Beach Holidays
        5. Short Breaks
        6. Family Holidays
        7. Honeymoons
        8. Gay & Lesbian
        9. Working holidays
        10. Rail Holidays

        11. Experts »
        12. Group Travel
        13. Business Travel
        14. Round the World
        15. Active Travel
  • Hotels
      1. col1
        1. Australia Hotels »
        2. New South Wales
        3. Queensland
        4. Victoria
        5. Western Australia
        6. South Australia
        7. Tasmania
        8. Northern Territory
      2. col2
        1. Australia City Hotels »
        2. Adelaide
        3. Brisbane
        4. Cairns
        5. Gold Coast
        6. Melbourne
        7. Perth
        8. Sydney
      3. col3
        1. International Hotels »
        2. Bali
        3. Fiji
        4. Hawaii
        5. London
        6. Los Angeles
        7. Phuket
  • Rail
      1. Australia By Rail »

      2. International Rail »
      3. Europe
      4. Asia
      5. North America
      6. Africa

      7. Rail Companies »
  • Tours
      1. col1
        1. Tour Types »
        2. Adventure Tours
        3. Cultural Tours
        4. Luxury Tours
        5. Honeymoon Tours
      2. col2
        1. Tour Locations »
        2. The Americas Tours
        3. Australian Tours
        4. European Tours
        5. Bali Tours
        6. Phuket Tours
        7. Vietnam Tours
        8. Fiji Tours
        9. Bangkok Tours
  • Cruises
      1. col1
        1. Cruise Destinations »
        2. Alaska
        3. Australia
        4. Caribbean
        5. European Rivers
        6. Hawaii
        7. South Pacific/New Zealand
        8. Mediterranean

        9. Cruise Specials »

        10. Cruises Departing From... »
      2. col2
        1. Cruise Lines »
        2. P&O South Pacific
        3. Princess Cruises
        4. Royal Caribbean International

        5. Cruise Ships »
        6. Queen Mary 2
        7. Oasis of the Seas
        8. Pacific Jewel
      3. col3
        1. Guide to Cruising »
        2. First time cruisers
        3. Life on board

        4. Type of Cruises »
        5. Flights + Cruises
        6. Wedding and honeymoon
        7. Adventure Cruises

        8. Be Inspired... »
  • Destinations
      1. col1
        1. Popular Destinations
        2. Auckland
        3. Bali
        4. Bangkok
        5. Cook Islands
        6. Fiji
        7. Hawaii
        8. Hong Kong
        9. London
        10. Los Angeles
        11. New York
        12. Paris
        13. Phuket
      2. col2
        1. Australia »
        2. Adelaide
        3. Brisbane
        4. Cairns
        5. Darwin
        6. Gold Coast
        7. Melbourne
        8. Perth
        9. Sydney
        10. Whitsundays

        11. Africa »
        12. Egypt
        13. South Africa
      3. col3
        1. Asia »
        2. China
        3. Japan
        4. Malaysia
        5. Singapore
        6. Thailand
        7. Vietnam

        8. North America »
        9. United States of America
        10. Canada
        11. Mexico

        12. United Kingdom »
        13. England
      4. col4
        1. Europe »
        2. France
        3. Greece
        4. Ireland
        5. Italy
        6. Spain
        7. Germany

        8. Oceania
        9. South Pacific
        10. New Zealand
        11. Tahiti
        12. Vanuatu

*Prices are in AUD and subject to availability. Please refer to specific product's terms and conditions.

LOWEST AIRFARE GUARANTEE

Here you'll find the lowest available prices on domestic flights to all destinations around Australia, as well as cheap international flights to a huge range of worldwide destinations. We won't be beaten on price and will beat any comparable quote.

^Based on Australian registered businesses & websites for travel departing within Australia.
Written quote must be presented prior to booking.

  • About Flight Centre »
  • Contact Us »
  • Careers »
  • Terms & Conditions »
  • Terms of use »
  • Privacy policy »
  • Site map »

© Flight Centre Limited trading as Flight Centre ABN 25 003 377 188 ACN 003 377 188
Travel Agent Licence Numbers: ACT 18800224, NSW 2TA2719, NT 008, QLD TAG262, SA TTA254, TAS TAS031, VIC 31089, WA 9TA 589

  • Other Flight Centre Limited Brands:
  • FCM Travel Solutions
  • Travel Money Oz
  • 99 Bikes
  • My Adventure Store
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google +
  • Blog
  • Subscribe

‹