Ellen's Guidebook
Adventure activities
Exciting activities to really enjoy Rotorua and get your blood pumping
Enjoy rafting the Kaituna River with local guides. Owned by a local who I grew up with and has won numerous world titles for white water kayaking. A real day of run!
23 os moradores locais recomendam
Rotorua Rafting
761 State Hwy 33Enjoy rafting the Kaituna River with local guides. Owned by a local who I grew up with and has won numerous world titles for white water kayaking. A real day of run!
A great local company helping to clear the area of pests and improve native forest. Would highly recommend.
23 os moradores locais recomendam
Rotorua Rafting
761 State Hwy 33A great local company helping to clear the area of pests and improve native forest. Would highly recommend.
A family activity. Catch the gondola to the top for a wine tasting, smorgasbord dinner or a couple of luge rides. Guaranteed fun
198 os moradores locais recomendam
Skyline Rotorua
178 Fairy Springs RdA family activity. Catch the gondola to the top for a wine tasting, smorgasbord dinner or a couple of luge rides. Guaranteed fun
Guaranteed to be a one of a kind experience. Choose to be strapped in or washed around in water as you roll down a hill at speed.
45 os moradores locais recomendam
ZORB™ Rotorua
525 Ngongotaha RdGuaranteed to be a one of a kind experience. Choose to be strapped in or washed around in water as you roll down a hill at speed.
Cute wee mini golf for the whole family with the added bonus of cute bunnies to cuddle.
15 os moradores locais recomendam
Mini Golf Rotorua
152 Fairy Springs RdCute wee mini golf for the whole family with the added bonus of cute bunnies to cuddle.
An awesome local company based at Okere Falls. Made up of 4 zip lines through the forest and over the famous Kaituna River. Speeds of up to 40km/hr with the longest zip line of 236m. Learn about the local land and culture and plant a native tree to leave your legacy.
Rotorua Ziplines
An awesome local company based at Okere Falls. Made up of 4 zip lines through the forest and over the famous Kaituna River. Speeds of up to 40km/hr with the longest zip line of 236m. Learn about the local land and culture and plant a native tree to leave your legacy.
Choose your thrill- off-road 4x4 bush safari, race line karting, jet boating and all the fun.
Off Road NZ
193 Amoore RdChoose your thrill- off-road 4x4 bush safari, race line karting, jet boating and all the fun.
As you would expect this place has a few activities to get your heart rate pumping. Jet boating, sky swing, freefall extreme, and freestyle airbag to name a few!
31 os moradores locais recomendam
Velocity Valley Adrenaline Park
1335 Paradise Valley RdAs you would expect this place has a few activities to get your heart rate pumping. Jet boating, sky swing, freefall extreme, and freestyle airbag to name a few!
Have you ever luged down a grade 3 river? Not for the faint hearted this 3hour adventure calls out to the water lovers.
Kaitiaki Adventures
Have you ever luged down a grade 3 river? Not for the faint hearted this 3hour adventure calls out to the water lovers.
Food scene
An excellent dog friendly café and restaurant with yummy wood fired pizzas, $10 margarita Fridays and general good feel. There is outside seating for when it’s lovely and sunny and an indoor option if the weather isn’t good. Perfect for a hot or cold drink after a walk or bike ride in the Redwoods freest.
9 os moradores locais recomendam
Eastwood
Longmile RoadAn excellent dog friendly café and restaurant with yummy wood fired pizzas, $10 margarita Fridays and general good feel. There is outside seating for when it’s lovely and sunny and an indoor option if the weather isn’t good. Perfect for a hot or cold drink after a walk or bike ride in the Redwoods freest.
Sample NZ’s best toastie, enjoy a craft beer in the sun before going for a walk to the nearby Kaituna River. Dogs welcome
53 os moradores locais recomendam
Okere Falls Store
757A State Hwy 33Sample NZ’s best toastie, enjoy a craft beer in the sun before going for a walk to the nearby Kaituna River. Dogs welcome
Wood fired pizzas, yummy cocktails and food platters that need to be seen to be believed.
11 os moradores locais recomendam
The Fainting Goat
1154 Tutanekai StreetWood fired pizzas, yummy cocktails and food platters that need to be seen to be believed.
Dog friendly café in town with yummy cabinet food and a menu.
27 os moradores locais recomendam
Fat Dog Cafe & Bar
1161 Arawa StDog friendly café in town with yummy cabinet food and a menu.
Lots of eateries, live music and homemade gifts. Try the Filipino pork!
35 os moradores locais recomendam
Rotorua Night Market
1029 Village GreenLots of eateries, live music and homemade gifts. Try the Filipino pork!
Yummy paua patties, plants for sale and a good Saturday market
7 os moradores locais recomendam
Rotary market at Kuirau Park
1371 Kuirau StYummy paua patties, plants for sale and a good Saturday market
Poco Tapas and Wine
Yummy tapas bar with a great drinks list
Atticus Finch
1106 Tutanekai StDelicious tapas restaurant on eat street.
A pedestrian street with multiple restaurants on offer. Thai, Italian, Indian, steak house, brew bars, classic cuisine. Finish your night off with an ice cream from Lady Jane’s.
134 os moradores locais recomendam
Eat Street
Tutanekai StreetA pedestrian street with multiple restaurants on offer. Thai, Italian, Indian, steak house, brew bars, classic cuisine. Finish your night off with an ice cream from Lady Jane’s.
Delicious bakery with fresh bread and yum sandwiches. Pastries are on point!
41 os moradores locais recomendam
Ciabatta Cafe & Bakery
38 White StDelicious bakery with fresh bread and yum sandwiches. Pastries are on point!
Guidough's Bakery
139 Ranolf StDelicious fresh bread, donuts and cinnamon scrolls
Lovely fine dining restaurant with a great breakfast menu.
26 os moradores locais recomendam
Urbano Bistro
289 Fenton StLovely fine dining restaurant with a great breakfast menu.
The Brook is an outstanding and intimate restaurant. Reasonable prices and a seasonal menu. Run by a husband and wife it has a real family feel and delicious food. I recommend the Laksa for a taste sensation.
Ripple Rotorua (Formerly Braeside)
The Brook is an outstanding and intimate restaurant. Reasonable prices and a seasonal menu. Run by a husband and wife it has a real family feel and delicious food. I recommend the Laksa for a taste sensation.
Walking distance from Kowhai Cottage and a classic Italian menu. Yum wood fired pizzas, good steak and pasta and of course wine to wash it down. Always leave room for dessert!
Giovanni's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Walking distance from Kowhai Cottage and a classic Italian menu. Yum wood fired pizzas, good steak and pasta and of course wine to wash it down. Always leave room for dessert!
Delicious South American cuisine. Small family owned restaurant that is worth the booking in advance condition.
10 os moradores locais recomendam
Sabroso Restaurant
1184 Haupapa StDelicious South American cuisine. Small family owned restaurant that is worth the booking in advance condition.
Don’t let appearances deceive you. This is a wee treasure in Rotorua run by a local Māori chef who creates absolute delights that incorporate Aotearoa (NZ) inspired food. A real treat and guaranteed to be a success. Quite a small venue so book ahead if you can.
Signature dishes include Creamed Paua Ravioli, Fried Bread Bites, Cadbury Caramellow Mousse, and Smoked Kahawai with Watercress Croquettes. Native Aotearoa plants like Horopito, Karengo, and Kawakawa are used to create unique flavors, also found in the gin collection.
ANI's Gin Bar and Tapas
Don’t let appearances deceive you. This is a wee treasure in Rotorua run by a local Māori chef who creates absolute delights that incorporate Aotearoa (NZ) inspired food. A real treat and guaranteed to be a success. Quite a small venue so book ahead if you can.
Signature dishes include Creamed Paua Ravioli, Fried Bread Bites, Cadbury Caramellow Mousse, and Smoked Kahawai with Watercress Croquettes. Native Aotearoa plants like Horopito, Karengo, and Kawakawa are used to create unique flavors, also found in the gin collection.
Walks
An abundance of free walking tracks. There are easy short strolls or the yellow track/ Pohaturoa track that is 7.5km. Dogs are welcome and Scion across the road is an excellent dog off leash area
117 os moradores locais recomendam
Redwoods - Floresta Whakarewarewa
An abundance of free walking tracks. There are easy short strolls or the yellow track/ Pohaturoa track that is 7.5km. Dogs are welcome and Scion across the road is an excellent dog off leash area
A lovely 5.5km walk around one of our local lakes. Dogs welcome off lead (as long as they are well behaved). Lovely native bush and lots of areas for swimming.
6 os moradores locais recomendam
Blue Lake Track
Blue Lake TrackA lovely 5.5km walk around one of our local lakes. Dogs welcome off lead (as long as they are well behaved). Lovely native bush and lots of areas for swimming.
A must see. Beautiful walks amongst magnolias, cherry trees and gorgeous autumnal colours in the Japanese garden. Dog friendly just need to be on a lead. There are also lots of local sheep
Centennial Park
A must see. Beautiful walks amongst magnolias, cherry trees and gorgeous autumnal colours in the Japanese garden. Dog friendly just need to be on a lead. There are also lots of local sheep
A great walk with thermal pools. A great view from the top of the Rotorua lakes
13 os moradores locais recomendam
Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve
A great walk with thermal pools. A great view from the top of the Rotorua lakes
A decent 7.5km walk with a great lookout over Rotorua including Pohutu Geyser
Pohaturoa Track Whaka lower Lookout
A decent 7.5km walk with a great lookout over Rotorua including Pohutu Geyser
Hotpools
A family friendly place with adult only pools and luxury spa area. A great place to have a relaxing massage and gaze across Lake Rotorua
131 os moradores locais recomendam
Polynesian Spa
1000 Hinemoa StA family friendly place with adult only pools and luxury spa area. A great place to have a relaxing massage and gaze across Lake Rotorua
A great option for a day out. Choose from a variety of pools, have a picnic or lunch at the café. Situated half an hour from Rotorua.
66 os moradores locais recomendam
Piscinas termais do Vale de Waikite
648 Waikite Valley RdA great option for a day out. Choose from a variety of pools, have a picnic or lunch at the café. Situated half an hour from Rotorua.
A free natural hotpool. Please don’t leave valuables in the car.
47 os moradores locais recomendam
Kerosene Creek
Old Waiotapu RoadA free natural hotpool. Please don’t leave valuables in the car.
The original mud pools for soaking and enjoying the health benefits of geothermal mud.
54 os moradores locais recomendam
Parque Geotérmico Hells Gate e Spa de Banho de Lama
351 State Hwy 30The original mud pools for soaking and enjoying the health benefits of geothermal mud.
An absolute must see. Try the cinnamon scrolls, a hot drink or cold beverage and shinny dip or enjoy a soak in the hot tubs amongst the forest. Dogs welcome
40 os moradores locais recomendam
Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua
13/33 Waipa State Mill RdAn absolute must see. Try the cinnamon scrolls, a hot drink or cold beverage and shinny dip or enjoy a soak in the hot tubs amongst the forest. Dogs welcome
Cultural Activities
Experience a traditional Maori village with hangi, guided bush walks and a cultural performance. 3hours long
68 os moradores locais recomendam
Mitai Maori Village
196 Fairy Springs RdExperience a traditional Maori village with hangi, guided bush walks and a cultural performance. 3hours long
See the famous Pohutu geyser, kiwi exploring, Maori cultural performances and enjoy some yummy food
123 os moradores locais recomendam
Te Puia station
See the famous Pohutu geyser, kiwi exploring, Maori cultural performances and enjoy some yummy food
A truly unique experience with 5 star fine dining. A wonderful evening activity learning about the history of Māori culture, traditions and future aspirations over a four hour period of feasting and celebration.
26 os moradores locais recomendam
Tamaki Maori Village
1220 Hinemaru StA truly unique experience with 5 star fine dining. A wonderful evening activity learning about the history of Māori culture, traditions and future aspirations over a four hour period of feasting and celebration.
Sightseeing
Wander amongst the canopy of towering redwoods. Available at night with special lights. Return for free at nighttime
150 os moradores locais recomendam
Redwoods Treewalk
Tarawera RoadWander amongst the canopy of towering redwoods. Available at night with special lights. Return for free at nighttime
Explore the thermal wonderland half an hour south of Rotorua. A geyser puts on a show daily.
57 os moradores locais recomendam
Wai-O-Tapu
201 Waiotapu Loop RdExplore the thermal wonderland half an hour south of Rotorua. A geyser puts on a show daily.
Dog friendly! Thermal wonderland with a boat cruise. Take a picnic and spend the day out there.
38 os moradores locais recomendam
Parque Geotérmico e Caverna Orakei Korako
494 Orākei Kōrako RdDog friendly! Thermal wonderland with a boat cruise. Take a picnic and spend the day out there.
An excellent wildlife park with daily lion, Kaka feeding and ability to hand feed farm animals.
31 os moradores locais recomendam
Paradise Valley Springs
467 Paradise Valley RdAn excellent wildlife park with daily lion, Kaka feeding and ability to hand feed farm animals.
Free activity. Explore the thermal mud pools before soaking your feet in the pools.
Kuirau Park Footbaths
Free activity. Explore the thermal mud pools before soaking your feet in the pools.
Enjoy sightseeing the thermal wonderland with a boat trip across the lake.
33 os moradores locais recomendam
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
587 Waimangu RdEnjoy sightseeing the thermal wonderland with a boat trip across the lake.
Explore natural waterfalls and learn about the history of Rotorua.
41 os moradores locais recomendam
Aldeia enterrada de Te Wairoa
1180 Tarawera RoadExplore natural waterfalls and learn about the history of Rotorua.
Health Spa
A spa and wellness experience that incorporates local traditional cultural practices. Follow the Restorative Journey on the shores of Lake Rotorua.
Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa
A spa and wellness experience that incorporates local traditional cultural practices. Follow the Restorative Journey on the shores of Lake Rotorua.