Rotorua

Need to know ...

Rotorua is a city that’s way out of the ordinary. Renowned for both its spectacular geothermal activity and its high quality cultural experiences, this is a region that will provide you with unforgettable memories. Activities and attractions are abundant around Rotorua – from the tranquillity of crystal-clear springs, sparkling lakes or strolling forest pathways to adrenaline-pumping adventures like the Zorb (as seen on The Amazing Race), luge gravity ride or Freefall Extreme body flying. Rotorua is renowned for cultural performances and activities that make it easy for visitors to taste authentic Maori culture. Visitors should also make time to explore Rotorua’s amazing geothermal features – from geysers to bubbling mud-pools. In Rotorua you’ll find something to satisfy every taste.

Main Centre

Rotorua – a city with a geothermal and cultural heart.

Getting There

By Air – Rotorua Airport offers domestic flights. The airport is 10 to 15 minutes from the city centre.
By Road – 3 hours, 35 minutes from Auckland. Coaches provide regular services to and from the region.

Getting Around

Rotorua is a reasonably compact city and you’ll find it easy to walk to restaurants and shopping, as well as many attractions. It’s also easy to rent a car in Rotorua. There are taxis, shuttles and a city bus service.

Eating Out

Exclusive

Bistro 1284 (1284 Eruera St, Rotorua, t +64 7 346 1284) – voted Rotorua’s top restaurant four years running, as well as scooping a bevy of other awards. Famous for succulent lamb shanks.

Casual

Tandoori Palace (1152 Tutanekai St, Rotorua, t +64 7 348 8122) – popular restaurant serving delicious Indian cuisine. Fully licensed or BYO.
Fat Dog Café (Arawa St, Rotorua, t +64 7 347 7586) – a classic collection of eclectic furniture, a funky, relaxed atmosphere and fantastic food. Full of flavour, with an ever-changing daily menu as well as the good old favourites.

Where to Drink

Stylish Bar

Clarke’s Bar at the Royal Lakeside Novotel (Lake Rd, Rotorua) – this is the place to be, with live entertainment each weekend playing softly in the background while you sample a freshly shaken cocktail, beer or spirit.

Cosy Pub

Pig N Whistle (Cnr Haupapa & Tutanekai St, Rotorua, t +64 7 347 3025) – enjoy one of the Pig’s own beers while you chomp on the infamous curly fries. Sample some of the food from the menu or simply enjoy the atmosphere.

Coffee Fix

Lime Caffeteria (Cnr Whakaue & Fenton St, Rotorua, t +64 7 350 2033) – this fresh, funky café, known as the place to get a great coffee and a bite to eat.
Freos Café (Tutanekai St, Rotorua, t +64 7 346 0976) – a great café with real food for real people. Great coffee and a short walk to the Rotorua Lakefront.
Capers Epicurian (1181 Eruera St, Rotorua, t +64 7 348 8818) – extensive range of cabinet food, breakfast menu and blackboard menu.

Something to Take Home

Te Raukura – The Red Feather Gallery (Cnr Haupapa & Tutanekai St, Rotorua,
t +64 7 921 0070) – Maori art, jewellery, carvings and artifacts created by local Maori artists on display and for sale.
Madhouse (Cnr Whakaue & Tutanekai St, t +64 7 347 6066) – experience this funky gallery after a leisurely lunch on The Street. Let your eyes feast on all the creations available within one gallery.

Where to Taste a Hangi

Park Heritage Rotorua Hotel (Cnr Froude & Tryon St, Rotorua, t +64 7 348 1189). Rotoiti Tours (t +64 7 348 8969).
Tamaki Maori Village (SH5, Rotorua – Taupo Highway, 15 minutes from Rotorua, t +64 7 346 2823).
Te Puia (Hemo Gorge Rd, Rotorua, t +64 7 348 9047).
The Realm of Tane (Hinemaru St, Rotorua, t +64 7 346 2823).
Mitai Maori Village (192 Fairy Springs Rd, Rotorua, t +64 7 343 9132).
Matariki Hangi & Cultural Show (Royal Lakeside Novotel, Lake End Tutenekai St, Rotorua, t +64 7 346 3888).
Whakarewarewa Village Tours (southern end of Tryon St, Rotorua, t 0800 924 426).

Sights

Visit the haunting Buried Village – a settlement that was buried by the Mt. Tarawera Eruption and has since been painstakingly excavated.

Head to the top of Mt Tarawera, the imposing local landmark, by helicopter, four-wheel-drive or on foot, for wonderful scenic vistas and the dramatic sight of the dormant crater.

Check out Rotorua’s unique geothermal features. The region contains 1200 geothermal features including geysers, hot springs, mud pools and fumaroles, silica terraces and flats.

Action

Try getting downhill fast with a ride on the luge or in the Zorb, a unique plastic ball!
Rotorua is a Mecca for mountain bikers – explore the wealth of tracks on offer in Whakarewarewa Forest.

Relax

Soak in a thermal spa – Rotorua has been a popular spa retreat since the end of the 19th Century. What is now the Rotorua Museum of Art and History was actually constructed in 1908 as an elegant spa.

THE experience

Enjoy some of the most accessible Maori cultural experiences in New Zealand – taste a hangi, watch a cultural performance and try your hand at traditional Maori crafts.

Did you know?

Notable Culture

Rotorua is said to have been discovered by a young man from the Te Arawa tribe, Ihenga, from the Bay of Plenty, who was hunting for delicacies for his pregnant wife.

Moment in History

During the nineteenth century, visitors from all over the world came to see Rotorua’s two remarkable silica terraces – the Pink and White Terraces – that were regarded as the eighth wonder of the world. They were destroyed by the Mt Tarawera volcanic eruption in 1886.

Note This!

St Faith’s Anglican Church in Ohinemutu is a historic Maori church with a beautifully decorated interior. Look at the stained glass window featuring an image of Christ wearing a Maori cloak – he appears to be walking on the waters of Lake Rotorua.

Websites to Check Out

www.rotoruanz.com
– Rotorua Travel Information