Rotorua Holidays

North Island, New Zealand

beautiful rotorua holidays in new zealand

Three hours south of Auckland you will find the volcanic region of Rotorua, famous for its geothermal activity and hot springs. The charming spa town of Rotorua, located on Lake Rotorua, is the perfect place to base yourself for tours into this fascinating region.

Rotorua

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The entire area is thermally active and is reminiscent of Yellowstone National Park in the USA. Recognised by Conde Nast Traveller's magazine as one of the top thermal spas in the world, the Polynesian Spa close to town offers 26 mineral bathing pools with temperatures ranging from 36ºC to 43ºC, and scenic views across the shores of the lake. For the ultimate indulgence, there is also an array of spa treatments and luxury accommodation offered on site.

Outside of town, there are a number of thermal regions to explore, the most popular being Whakarewarewa. Here you can experience a traditional Maori village, set amidst bubbling mud pools and thermal springs, and see the awesome power of the 'Prince of Wales Feather's' and 'Pohutu' geysers, which erupt at regular intervals. There are daily cultural performances of traditional song and dance, and the restaurant on site serves traditional Maori fare.

Another great option is the New Zealand Riverjet tour, which combines a thrilling tour of the Waikato River with Orakei Korako, a geothermal region. The Waikato River is home to abundant bird-life, steaming volcanic riverbanks and the majestic Tutakau Gorge, which rises up to 50 metres above the river. For some family fun try Skyline Rotorua, a complex consisting of a cable-car ride, a luge track, the Skyswing and the 4D Skyvue cinema. Trout fishing on one of the 16 lakes in the district is also a popular attraction.

Rotorua Accommodation Search

Accommodation is plentiful and ranges from luxury fishing and geothermal lodges to budget backpackers and comfortable hotels. Please search for our favourite accommodations in rotorua to find current availability and get the best room rates from over 100 booking sources:

Rotorua Travel Info
Air New Zealand has twice weekly international connections from Rotorua to Sydney and there are domestic connections to all major NZ destinations. The city is a leisurely three hour drive from Auckland, or a 5-6 hour drive from Wellington. Many visitors combine a visit to Rotorua with a self-drive tour of other North Island attractions. The city of Rotorua has a well-developed public transport system and to discover the surrounding areas there are rental cars and day tours available.

Rotorua has a temperate climate, with cool winters (June - Aug) and mild summers (Dec - Feb), and boasts over 2000 hours of sunshine a year.

The colourful Soundshell Markets operate every Sunday of the year on the spectacular shores of Lake Rotorua.

 
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