If you are looking for the ideal place to immerse yourself in the New Zealand experience, then Rotorua has the whole package wrapped up and ready for you.
Fly into Auckland’s international airport and either catch a short connecting flight or enjoy the scenic 3-hour drive to what many consider the beating heart of the North Island.
Rotorua is geared up for tourism, with the very best examples of cultural experiences, adventure activities, scenic tours and local attractions all set in an active geothermal landscape.
Accessibility is a key factor in any holiday destination, and Rotorua will not disappoint, with wide sealed pathways and boardwalks to take you right into the managed geothermal areas, complete with brightly coloured mineral pools and steaming waterfalls, boiling mud and active geysers. There are guided cruises on Rotorua’s lakes, heli-tours and scenic flights, and the popular Skyline gondola, each showcasing the lush landscapes and sparkling lakes.
For a taste of the outdoors at ground level, try a lakeside or forest walkway, rent a tandem bike or take a kayaking tour. There are wildlife attractions that bring you up close with an array of birds, fish and animals too.
Rotorua has a thriving Maori culture, one that you can experience up close through the immersive cultural tours available, taking you through the local customs for welcoming visitors. There is also a living historic village populated by the locals, where you will hear the stories of a major volcanic eruption, told by the descendants of those who lived through it.
Visit the Polynesian Pools in the city’s picturesque Government Gardens and soak in the restorative natural thermal mineral springs. Its luxury spa makes use of the volcanic mud in its beauty treatments.
Whatever makes your holiday wishlist, Rotorua provides the perfect platform for an enjoyable New Zealand experience.