Cassandra & Andrés’s guidebook
Sightseeing
This is an amazing place to see geothermal activity (including one of the biggest geysers in the world), kiwi birds and maori cultural performances.
123 locals recommend
Te Puia station
This is an amazing place to see geothermal activity (including one of the biggest geysers in the world), kiwi birds and maori cultural performances.
Skyline Rotorua
178 Fairy Springs RdA fantastic view of Rotorua and luging is so much fun!
A chance to see geothermal activity in the city centre for free! Also a great place for a picnic in warmer weather.
59 locals recommend
Kuirau Park
Ranolf StreetA chance to see geothermal activity in the city centre for free! Also a great place for a picnic in warmer weather.
Wai-O-Tapu
201 Waiotapu Loop RdAmazing geothermal activity and beautifully coloured mineral pools!
A chance to talk around a real Maori village, and see the beautiful Saint Faith's church - a mixture of European and Maori architecture.
23 locals recommend
Ohinemutu
A chance to talk around a real Maori village, and see the beautiful Saint Faith's church - a mixture of European and Maori architecture.
Featuring the beautiful Rotorua museum (currently closed but hopefully reopening soon!) and an enormous manicured garden - great for a walk and a picnic in warm weather.
57 locals recommend
Government Gardens
Featuring the beautiful Rotorua museum (currently closed but hopefully reopening soon!) and an enormous manicured garden - great for a walk and a picnic in warm weather.
It's a 50 minute drive from here but well worth it! Absolutely beautiful, and absolutely key for anyone who is as big a Tolkien-nerd as I am!
161 locals recommend
Hobbiton Movie Set station
501 Buckland RdIt's a 50 minute drive from here but well worth it! Absolutely beautiful, and absolutely key for anyone who is as big a Tolkien-nerd as I am!
Waimangu
A lovely walk around geothermal activity and native forest/bush.
Relaxing
Multiple hot pools of all different temperatures, right next to lake Rotorua. So relaxing...
131 locals recommend
Polynesian Spa
1000 Hinemoa StMultiple hot pools of all different temperatures, right next to lake Rotorua. So relaxing...
A 30 minute drive from town but lovely hot pools in a quiet valley in the countryside.
66 locals recommend
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
648 Waikite Valley RdA 30 minute drive from town but lovely hot pools in a quiet valley in the countryside.
Maori culture
One of the two amazing 3 hour immersive Maori cultural experiences in Rotorua. Well worth the ticket price!
26 locals recommend
Tamaki Maori Village
1220 Hinemaru StOne of the two amazing 3 hour immersive Maori cultural experiences in Rotorua. Well worth the ticket price!
One of the two amazing 3 hour immersive Maori cultural experiences in Rotorua. Well worth the ticket price!
68 locals recommend
Mitai Maori Village
196 Fairy Springs RdOne of the two amazing 3 hour immersive Maori cultural experiences in Rotorua. Well worth the ticket price!
Food scene
The best restaurant in town, with tapas-style sharing plates. A great place to go if it's a special night or you feel like spoiling yourselves. Best to book!
49 locals recommend
Atticus Finch
1106 Tutanekai StThe best restaurant in town, with tapas-style sharing plates. A great place to go if it's a special night or you feel like spoiling yourselves. Best to book!
The best place for craft beer in town, and the food is pretty good too - typical pub food but very good quality.
44 locals recommend
BREW | Craft Beer Pub
1103 Tutanekai StThe best place for craft beer in town, and the food is pretty good too - typical pub food but very good quality.
Great for breakfast lunch or dinner, but especially brunch. Very generous portions and always delicious!
27 locals recommend
Fat Dog Cafe & Bar
1161 Arawa StGreat for breakfast lunch or dinner, but especially brunch. Very generous portions and always delicious!
Perfect for a delicious brunch or light lunch - home made food and friendly staff.
8 locals recommend
Artisan Cafe
1149 Tutanekai StPerfect for a delicious brunch or light lunch - home made food and friendly staff.
Delicious breakfasts, great sandwiches, breads and pastries and excellent coffee!
41 locals recommend
Ciabatta Cafe & Bakery
38 White StDelicious breakfasts, great sandwiches, breads and pastries and excellent coffee!
Delicious Mexican food with big portions and low prices. Best to book!
9 locals recommend
El Mexicano Zapata
1148 Tutanekai StDelicious Mexican food with big portions and low prices. Best to book!
Pizzeria Imperfetto
1176 Pukaki StAmazing wood-fired pizzas in a cosy restaurant.