Top 10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Rotorua District, North Island

February 9, 2022 Madelene Haan

Discover the best top things to do in Rotorua District, New Zealand including Bibleworld Musuem & Discovery Centre, Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre, Volcanic Hills Winery, Tamaki Maori Village, Agrodome, Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park, New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village, Lake Rotorua, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Restaurants in Rotorua District

1. Bibleworld Musuem & Discovery Centre

1141 Eruera Street, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand +64 21 909 842 [email protected] http://www.bibleworld.org.nz
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 50 reviews

Bibleworld Musuem & Discovery Centre

From June 2020, Bibleworld is open by appointment only. Visit our website to book an appointment - www.bibleworld.org.nz Bibleworld Museum and Discovery Centre is an enjoyable and interactive museum for adults and children to learn about the ancient world in which the Biblical events took place. We have a great range of scale models, ancient artefacts, replicas and hands on activities for all ages.

Reviewed By kim60_11 - Sunbury, Australia

We spent a very cold and rainy day in Rotorua, looking for possible indoor activities. So we dropped in to Bibleworld. A very enjoyable and informative visit - the displays are well presented, just enough detail to absorb and the interactive quiz exhibits are fun for adults and children. Congratulations to the couple who put it together; their passion and dedication to the place is obvious and they deserve to have many visitors. Entry is free but donations appreciated.

2. Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre

1334 Paradise Valley Road, Ngongotaha, Rotorua 3072 New Zealand +64 7-357 4469 http://www.wingspan.co.nz
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 527 reviews

Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre

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.

3. Volcanic Hills Winery

176 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua 3015 New Zealand +64 7-282 2018 [email protected] http://www.volcanichills.co.nz
Excellent
86%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 602 reviews

Volcanic Hills Winery

Rotorua has a unique wine experience in its tourism repertoire with Volcanic Hills Winery. The winery where we make the wine is at the base of Skyline Rotorua, however you will need to take the Skyline Gondola up to the Volcanic Hills Tasting Room. Currently only open Friday and Saturdays from 12pm to 6pm and Sundays from noon until 5pm. Do arrive at the gondola terminal an hour before closing to ensure you have time to enjoy the Gondola ride and your tasting before we close. Come up and drink the view overlooking Lake Rotorua. Please note we are closed Christmas Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday each year. We open at 1pm on 25th April each year.

Reviewed By 55esthed

What an amazing experience with friends! We noticed the spectacular view at Volcanic Hills Winery while browsing at the gift shop and could not resist the lure of an unplanned wine tasting. Great selection of wines and between Brent, Johnny and Georgia we were well taken care of. We were entertained by an unexpected tiki tour of New Zealand's best vine growing spots and funny facts about kiwi culture in general. Highly recommend the Tawny Port. Perfect place to spend an afternoon with friends and I can guarantee we will be back.

4. Tamaki Maori Village

1220 Hinemaru St, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand +64 7-349 2999 [email protected] http://www.tamakimaorivillage.co.nz
Excellent
72%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,404 reviews

Tamaki Maori Village

Tamaki Māori Village – Evening Cultural Experience. New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Experience! Experience an evening of ceremonial ritual, powerful cultural performance, storytelling & hangi feasting. Share in the Powhiri, our ancient ceremony of welcome before entering our pre-European Māori Village nestled within a native Tawa Forest. The village comes alive with sights, sounds & activity of days gone by including haka, poi, tattooing, weaving, carving and arts of warrior training. You will have the opportunity to participate in these activities. Witness the earth being scraped away from the hāngi pit to reveal baskets of food cooked beneath the ground on hot stones. Enter the ancestral meeting house and enjoy a powerful cultural performance before dining the traditional hāngi buffet feast!

Reviewed By rhigr - London, United Kingdom

From the minute Hone picked me up it was phenomenal, the whole drive there our guide, Liam, was warm and funnny as well as informative, and the experience of walking around and learning about Maori culture was unforgettable! I’m also a veggie and was amply provided for - would highly recommend, well worth a visit

5. Agrodome

141 Western Rd, Ngongotaha, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand +64 7-357 1050 [email protected] http://www.agrodome.co.nz/
Excellent
53%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,631 reviews

Agrodome

In the heart of 350-acres of lush farmland, yet only 10 minutes from Rotorua city centre, you’ll find New Zealand’s Agrodome. Join us for a unique New Zealand farm experience! For over 40 years, visitors from all over the globe have come to the Agrodome to see our world-famous Farm Show starring a cast of talented animals… and you! You’ll hear amazing facts and have a few laughs as you’re introduced to 19 breeds of sheep. After the show you can visit the Farmyard Nursery, which is home to our cutest baby animals who are available for cuddles and photos! There are three exciting shows a day at 9.30am, 11.00am and 2.30pm. Plus, if you really want to explore the Agrodome 350-acre working farm then join our Farm Tour. During this guided tour, you'll get to hand-feed loads of friendly animals including Romney sheep, cattle, deer, llamas, ostrich, pigs and alpaca! You’ll also sample delicious kiwifruit juice and honey from our land. Tours depart daily at 10.40am, 12.10pm, 1.30pm and 3.40pm.

Reviewed By Footprints201362 - Orem, United States

We loved the show and the MC, loved the baby lambs and the explanations. Very good, and well worth it--wish we'd had more time.

6. Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park

467 Paradise Valley Road, Rotorua 3072 New Zealand +64 7-348 9667 [email protected] http://www.paradisev.co.nz/
Excellent
55%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,062 reviews

Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park

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.

7. New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute

Hemo Rd, Rotorua New Zealand +64 7-348 9047 [email protected] http://www.tepuia.com
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 168 reviews

New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute

Located outside the entrance to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, this Institute trains young carvers in the skills of their elders with demonstrations of weaving techniques.

Reviewed By Hans750 - The Hague, The Netherlands

Being a sculptur myself I was very interesting in the Maori art and the making of it. The institute shows you in depth the way the art is being made. Many is for sale. We talked to various artists and I even started making my own Maori art.

8. Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village

17 Tryon Street Whakarewarewa Village, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand +64 7-349 3463 [email protected] http://www.whakarewarewa.com/
Excellent
59%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,669 reviews

Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village

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!

9. Lake Rotorua

Rotorua New Zealand http://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/lake-rotorua/
Excellent
43%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,055 reviews

Lake Rotorua

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.

10. Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

201 Waiotapu Loop Road Rd 3, Rotorua 3073 New Zealand +64 7-366 6333 [email protected] http://www.waiotapu.co.nz
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,651 reviews

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

"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.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.