A Traveller's Guide to Rotorua, New Zealand

A couple watches the sunset at Lake Rotorua
A couple watches the sunset at Lake Rotorua | © Devin Kleu / Unsplash
Thalita Alves

Rotorua is New Zealand’s thermal wonderland: a place where you’ll find a trove of interesting volcanic features that are testament to the country’s remarkable geographic diversity. But the city, located in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island, has so much more to offer – especially for those who want to strike the perfect balance between culture and adventure.

The name Rotorua comes from the Māori words roto (lake) and rua (two or second): best translated as ‘Second Lake’ since it is believed that Lake Rotorua, where the city lies, was the second to be discovered by Māori chief Ihenga. Legend goes that Ihenga dedicated the area to his uncle, giving it the full name Rotorua nui-ā-Kahumatamomoe.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

A couple watches the sunset at Lake Rotorua

That story foreshadows an important aspect of Rotorua’s identity: its cultural connection to New Zealand’s indigenous culture. Travellers passing through the area will often learn about Māori traditions through the local village encounters; news-savvy Kiwis will also know that Rotorua had been working towards becoming the country’s first bilingual (English and Te Reo Māori) city for more than 35 years – officially earning full bilingual status in 2017.

Traditional Maori wood carving at Te Puia, Rotorua, New Zealand

But what about those geothermal wonders? Well, the city is composed of various spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools, and hot thermal springs. Some, like Kuirau Park and Kerosene Creek, are free to access – and you can even take a dip in their waters. Others, like the iconic Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland, do have an entrance fee attached – but seeing those remarkable coloured pools and their compelling volcanic features from up close will be worth every penny.

Champagne pools, Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland
Rotorua geyser

There is a small downside to Rotorua’s thermal activity. You may just hear the nickname ‘Sulphur City’ get thrown around: that’s because the hydrogen sulphide emitted from the geysers and hot pools means a lingering smell of sulphur (often likened to rotten eggs) prevails throughout the area. This isn’t something that should discourage you from visiting, by any means – the sulphur smell is a shock at first, but you stop noticing it after spending some time out and about (in fact, if you ask the locals they will likely tell you they’ve stopped feeling the smell of sulphur years ago).

Sulphuric thermal springs in Rotorua, New Zealand

Besides, there’s so much more to Rotorua than these epic forces of nature. The wider region is home to 16 different lakes, making this the ultimate go-to for water-based activities. Fishing, water skiing and swimming are quite popular in the summer months, and Lake Rotorua has previously been the chosen venue for international sporting events such as the 2007 World Waterski Championships and the 2009 World Blind Sailing Championships.

A kayaker in Lake Tarawera, Rotorua, New Zealand

Rotorua’s Kaituna River also offers a powerful adrenaline fix. The area is the ultimate go-to if you have an affinity for white-water rafting and kayaking.

Kaituna River rafting

If you like your mountain biking, the Redwoods/Whakarewarewa Forest is home to some of New Zealand’s finest tracks. The forest, with its expansive track network and massive California Redwood trees, proved its reputation as a world-class biking facility in 2006 when it hosted the UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships. Rotorua also hosted the Southern Hemisphere section of the 2015 Crankworx mountain biking festival (the world’s largest) and was one of the festival’s four international pit-stops in March 2018.

A walking track in Rotorua’s Redwoods Forest

Avid thrill-seekers will also know that Rotorua is the birthplace of the Zorb: the activity that sees people entering a gigantic plastic orb before rolling down an obstacle course. The activity has been around since 1995 and has since been exported to various parts of the world. On its home turf, you get to choose between three distinct trails: the fast lanes, where you can race with friends and family; the zig-zag track, which is exactly what its name implies; and the drop, where you’re eased into a serene tree-lined trajectory before plunging down a mystery ‘drop’ point.

Zig-zag Zorb trail

When you need a break from all the action, a downtown detour will do the trick. The Government Gardens and its neighbouring features are the pride of Rotorua’s architectural heritage. The local museum is housed right next door to the picturesque gardens in a Tudor-style building. The Art Deco-style Blue Baths is also in the vicinity, as is the opulent Polynesian Spa. The perfect combination to end a very special journey.

Government Gardens and Rotorua Museum
culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article