Heading to Rotorua? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!
QUICK FACTS
- Located in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, with a population of ~65,000.
- Known as a spa town since the 1800s, owing to its natural geothermal activity which results in bubbling mud pools and rejuvenating hot springs.
- Renowned as the heartland of Māori culture for its rich relationship with the early settlers.
- Nickname: Sulphur City.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD).
- Spoken languages: English and Te Reo Māori.
- Best time to visit: from November to April for the warmest weather (expect occasional rainfall).
- All travelers to New Zealand must now complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before arrival.
– Non-NZ/Australian citizens require a NZ Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) even for transit. - Arriving via airport: Rotorua International Airport (ROT) operates a shuttle bus service into the city centre for NZ$17 for one person or NZ$22 for two.
– Taxi rides cost NZ$26 – NZ$30.
WHERE TO STAY
- Best Rotorua hostel for solo travelers: Rock Solid Backpackers.
– This is a basic hostel – the main draws are the low prices and the central location. Comfortable beds.
– Very friendly and welcoming staff.
– Downsides: can get a bit loud.
– Rock climbing wall located right next door. - The compact city centre is easy to navigate and is clustered by an array of spa hotels, luxury lodges, backpacker hostels, and quaint bed & breakfasts.
- Fenton Street is favoured by visitors looking to base themselves central to the city and within walking distance of the major attractions.
- Wonderful lakeside accommodation is available along Hamurana Road – although removed from the centre, this is one of the most idyllic locations in the city.
GETTING AROUND
- BayBus buses traverse the compact city for single cash fares of NZ$2.80. See more information here.
- Car rentals are a popular way to get around Rotorua and its surroundings. Budget and Hertz operate offices at both the airport and the city centre.
ROTORUA NIGHTLIFE
- Drinking age is 18, and last call is at 3 AM.
- Rotorua has a small but lively offering of bars that are within walking distance of each other.
- Great bars for travelers: Pig & Whistle, Rotorua Sports Bar (to catch the game), Hennessy’s Irish Bar, and The Salty Shekel.
UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT
- Hell’s Gate Geothermal Park (located 15 minutes from town center) – offers mud baths and sulfur spa experiences that have been used by Māori for over 800 years.
- Whakarewarewa is a living Maori village set amidst thermal springs, erupting geysers and bubbling mud pools.
- Te Wairoa is also known as the Buried Village, a former Māori settlement that was buried in the 1886 Mt. Tarawera eruption.
- The Rotorua Museum of Art and History offers innovative displays and exhibitions on the region’s Māori culture.
– Set in the historic Bath House building, the country’s first major investment in the tourism industry. - Te Puia, or the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute, depicts traditions and customs set amid a geothermal valley. Home to the world famous Pohutu geyser.
- Orakei Korako: this hidden gem is regarded as one of the most impressive geothermal parks (less crowded than others).
- Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland, considered “one of the most surreal places on earth” with its Champagne Lake and Devil’s Bath.
- Popular day trip (for LOTR fans): Hobbiton Movie Set tour.
INTERESTING WALKS
- Explore Motutara (aka Sulphur Bay). Follow the pathway as it winds to Amohau Street and listen for the water birds that inhabit Lake Rotorua.
- Visit Whakarewarewa Forest and admire its magnificent Californian Coastal Redwoods. Can also be explored on mountain bike.
- Tour the grounds of the Government Gardens, a public recreational area encompassing an Elizabethan Tudor bath house and a Mediterranean-style swimming pool.
WHERE TO EAT
- Must-try dishes: Hangi or local seafood.
- Great restaurants to try: Wildrice thai rotorua, The Fainting Goat (Gastropub – book in advance for dinner), Atticus Finch, Sabroso (Latin American), and El Mexicano Zapata Cantina.
- Where to find good cheap eats: Tutanakei Street is clustered by inexpensive restaurants and cafés and is also the seat of the city’s night market, which hosts dozens of food stalls every Thursday night from 5 PM onwards.
- Alternative option: Rotorua Night Market – sample ethnic cuisine and browse local arts and crafts.
LOCAL WISDOM
- No trip to Rotorua is complete without a visit to the Polynesian Spa, a beautiful retreat for thermal tranquillity in private pools. Indulge in massages, body wraps and facials at the hands of certified professionals.
- A couple common Te Reo Māori phrases: “Kia Ora” (Hello) and “Ngā mihi” (Thank you).
- Lots of outdoor activities are available here: world-class bungee jumping, white-water rafting, or the famous Skyline Rotorua for stunning views, zip-lines, and a gondola ride.
- Attend a Hangi at Tamaki Māori Village and partake in the traditional Māori feast, where food is cooked in an earthen oven for several hours. Dinner is followed by cultural performances, such as the haka.
- Dangerous areas: Rotorua is generally very safe.
- Pay attention to signs posted along walkways, especially those found in parks that warn of geothermal activity such as erupting geysers. The fences are there for a reason!
Recommended trip duration: 2-3 days