Top Things to do in Rotorua District
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Top 10 Nature & Parks in Rotorua District, North Island
Discover the best top things to do in Rotorua District, New Zealand including Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre, Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park, Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village, Lake Rotorua, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Mt. Tarawera, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Lake Tarawera's Hot Water Beach, Te Puia, Waikite Valley Thermal Pools.
Restaurants in Rotorua District
1. Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 527 reviews
Reviewed By Ian201804 - Napier, New Zealand
Amazing experience, just incredible to be able to get up close and personal with these amazing birds along with really passionate staff.
2. Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,062 reviews
Paradise Valley Springs is open every day of the year, including all public holidays, from 8.00am until dark with last ticket sales at 5.00pm. Lion Feeding is every day at 2.30pm and our Kea and Possum Feeding happens every day at 3.00pm. The park is set in a beautiful native bush covered setting, and has excellent wide walkways throughout that are well suited for strollers and wheelchairs. We have bags of Trout or Animal Food available for $2 per bag if they would like to hand-feed some of the animals, or throw food to the trout. Your time in Paradise will include getting up close and personal with our New Zealand Birds, Trout and Wildlife. We also have our Rainforest Treetops Walkway hidden six metres high amongst mature native trees and bush. You will also be able to view our Lion Pride in their enclosure at any time of the day.
Reviewed By CLETUS1
Great place to spend the arvo!! Lots of animals to see and feed. Lion feeding was awesome to see! The staff are really friendly and knowledgable. Good facilities and well maintained. Highly recommend a visit, great for kids.
3. Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,669 reviews
With natural geothermal heat radiating from the ground, Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village is a unique cultural experience, set in a fascinating geothermal landscape, offering an authentic peek into Māori village life. Hourly guided tours give visitors a chance to learn how the geothermal resources are used in daily life, twice-daily cultural performances are filled with fun interactivity, and a network of nature trails traverse geothermal lakes, bubbling mud and explosive geysers. This will be a memorable experience for all ages. Open 8.30am – 5.00pm daily.
Reviewed By linfarrington24 - Launceston, Australia
Loved seeing how Maori people have lived and evolved over hundreds of years. Wonderful to be welcomed and encouraged to share their pride in their cultural heritage. We started with a tour by a young guide who had a uniquely modern perspective on her heritage, we followed that with the cultural show which brought us to tears in the beauty of the love songs and the passion of the cultural expressions. Finally we shared a traditionally prepared meal, which we thought we would 'experience' rather than enjoy. How wrong we were! It all goes to show how much we have to learn from our indigenous brothers and sisters!
4. Lake Rotorua
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,055 reviews
The largest of a dozen lakes formed by volcanic activity, this clear, calm lake offers cruises, kayaking and sailing, as well as great trout fishing.
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
Lake Rotorua is a fabulous lake and can be reached by a short walk from the city center. It was a very pleasant experience just walking on the pathway at the edge of the lake and watching some interesting wild life including some black swans. Certainly would very highly recommend Lake Rotorua to any traveler.
5. Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,651 reviews
"One of the 20 Most Surreal Places in the World" Trip Advisor THOUSANDS OF YEARS IN THE MAKING, explore spectacular nature at New Zealand's most colourful natural volcanic area. Walk at your own pace - view the unique Champagne Pool, Sinter Terrace formations, Steaming Ground, Bubbling Mud, Expansive Vistas, Huge Volcanic Craters. The Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at 10.15am. Excellent facilities at modern Visitor Centre. We are a cashless site, accepting all major credit and EFTPOS cards.
Reviewed By C0nstantlyOnTheG0 - Newcastle, Australia
It's nine years since I've been here and this time I returned with more family. Waiotapu is totally unique and offers vistas of bubbling mud pools, the Lady Knox Geyser, craters and an incredible geothermal park. In June 2009, we visited on a blue sky day and the hues of colour were picture perfect for photography; as good as what you see on the website. This time round, we were shrouded in fog and the colours in the park were not at their best. If you're in the area for a couple of days, best to visit when the sun is shining. We spent approximately 2 hours here. The walkways were easy to get around; some were boardwalks, others were dirt track and there were some sections with stairs. If you wish to see the Geyser you need to be there before 10.15am. Waiotapu is approximately 25 minutes south of Rotorua and is a unique place to visit in New Zealand, if not the world.
6. Mt. Tarawera
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By Andrew3022 - Auckland, New Zealand
This is a great day out. Interesting history. Best done on a good day where you can admire the views. Nice to have the input from the guides Steve and Frank. The walk is not particularly difficult. You are driven to 950m and the summit is 1100m. The scree slope was fun to come down.
7. Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,697 reviews
Explore spectacular activity in the world’s youngest geothermal system on a self-guided walking tour at Waimangu Volcanic Valley. We offer a range of options for all abilities and ambitions varying in length from our short 1.5km highlights walk to a 4.5km hike including an invigorating climb over Mount Haszard for astonishing panoramic views. Discover Frying Pan Lake, one of the largest hot water springs in the World and mysterious, beautiful Inferno Crater Lake which rises and falls as it heats and cools. See rare and unusual plants that have adapted to grow in the warm geothermal landscape and enjoy the abundance of native birdlife around Lake Rotomahana. Opt for an additional 45 minute cruise around the tranquil waters of Lake Rotomahana to see nature, birdlife and geothermal activity not accessible by foot. Relax and listen to the full historical commentary throughout cruise. Enjoy a much needed rest and take advantage of the shuttle bus at the end of your tour.
Reviewed By R0gerV - Leuven, Belgium
This site offers a nice hiking experience for all levels of fitness. Starting at the visitors center you can hike all the way down the valley passing places like Frying Pan Lake, Cathedral Rocks, Inferno Crater, Birds Nest Terrace, Rift Valley, Waimangu Stream and many more, leading you to the jetty at Lake Rotomahana. Here you can even make a boat trip of about 45 minutes on the lake. You are walking all the way in a stunning landscape with geothermal and volcanic elements. Depending on your hiking abilities you can start walking and if necessary take the internal bus further down to the lake or return, after a breathtaking walk all the way down, back to the visitors center. This is an experience you should not miss when you are in the neighborhood of Rotorua.
8. Lake Tarawera's Hot Water Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By 617BobR - Fairfax, United States
This is an experience of a lifetime and should be tried. There is a stretch of beach where hot water, heated by volcanic heat, flows in certain parts. Best time to experience is at low tide. Three of us got to the beach about an hour before low tide - the place was packed an the best spots were already occupied. So we picked a spot closest to the ocean and dug our hole piling the dug up sand on the water side to keep the ocean water out. We soon learned you had to let some sea water in to mix with the underground hot water. Overall a good time sitting in our own makeshift hot tub. I was a constant battle maintaining our sand wall to keep the sea out. If we come again, we will arrive earlier so we can grab a spot further from the sea.
9. Te Puia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,628 reviews
Te Puia spans 70 hectares within the historic Te Whakarewarewa Valley, on the edge of town. We are home to the world famous Pohutu geyser, to mud pools, hot springs, to silica formations to the Kiwi bird and the national schools of wood carving, weaving, stone and bone carving. We have shared these treasures with manuhiri (visitors) for 170 years and proudly continue that legacy today.
Reviewed By ruki-de - Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Enjoyed the combo with the guided tour of the craft school, Pohutu geyser, general entertainment, Maori show, the multi-course dinner and hot chocolate back at the geyser after dark. Included pick-up from and return to accommodation.
10. Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,210 reviews
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools provides the opportunity to relax and experience the pure natural geothermal waters from the Te Manaroa Spring. Facilities include The Pukeko in the Ponga Tree Cafe, a splash pool with adjoining toddlers play area, passive bathing pools, private spas, nature trail and separate changing, toilet and shower area for families. Waikite Valley Thermal Pools also offers powered and non powered campground sites.
Reviewed By Loulo00 - Auckland, New Zealand
This beautiful sanctuary is worth the 1/2 drive from Rotorua into the valley. Fresh geothermal waters flow into the naturally heated pools, excavated into the hillside. It was freezing and rainy when we went so we bolted from the changing rooms and spent 1 and 1/2 hours luxuriating between the large warm swimming pool and the hot spas with infinity edges surrounded by native bush. Glad we were told to hydrate as you do get very tired and headachey if you didn’t too long in one go in the hot pool/spas (longer than 15min). Beautifully fresh clean pools and a divine bush outlook, with a small cafe where you can get basic food & drinks. A fantastic, relaxing and restorative experience for the whole family.
