Where to stay in Rotorua

See

As one of New Zealand's busiest tourist centres there are a variety of attractions ranging from free to more expensive.

• Kuirau Park Thermal Pools
• Redwoods – Whakarewarewa Forest
• Rotorua Walkway
• Agrodome
• Buried Village
• Te Puia
• Waimangu Volcanic Valley
• Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
• Whakarewarewa Thermal Village
• Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre
• aMaze Me

Do

Your best bet is to expend some energy taking in some of the many day-time activities such as land-sledding down Mt Ngongotahā at Skyline Skyrides Luge Ride, heli-touring or hiking through the abundance of parks often alongside thermal vents. Nearby is the curious forest of California Redwoods that was planted last century and has thrived in the ideal climate so that it appears to have been there for many centuries. The forest in this area has been developed to provide world-class mountain biking tracks, some of which were used for the 2006 World Championships. Rotorua hosts several other adventure activities such as ZORB, indoor rock-climbing and whitewater rafting or sledging.

• The Bridge, aka Hot and Cold, aka Twin Streams
• Hiking
• Kerosene Creek
• Polynesian Spa
• Skyline Rotorua
• Waikite Valley Thermal Pools

Eat

There are numerous places to try the traditional Māori feast, the hangi. This "earthen oven" technique is similar to the Hawaiian umu and results in a very distinctive smoky, earthy flavour - well worth trying. Due to Rotorua's geothermally active ground, the local Maori tribes often make use of the geothermal heat for their hangi, instead of burying the food with heated rocks as is the standard practice elsewhere. Rotorua has some nice cafes - good options include: Woollen Mill Cafe at Agrodome, Capers, Zippy's or Fat Dog.

Drink

Rotorua is sometimes referred to as Roto-Vegas because of the many neon-lit hotels along the main street, the numerous venues for gambling and the few brothels. Strangely though, there isn't much nightlife to speak of. Try the historic Pig & Whistle pub, which stays open until 01:00 on Saturday nights.

Stay safe

This geothermal wonderland has some hazards. Respect safety signs and barriers around active geothermal locations - they are there for good reasons. The hot water and mud from geothermal springs can be boiling hot. Superheated steam may cause eruptions - after all it is steam that makes the geysers spout. The sulphurous smell (that rotten eggs smell) in the air means that some toxic gases may also be present. Take care in confined and unventilated spaces, particularly those below ground level or around geothermal pools. Toxic geothermal gases have been known to asphyxiate people. Avoid bathing in geothermal pools where the water has been in contact with the ground.