Uncover geothermal wonders, immerse in Maori culture, & experience great outdoors thrills in this 3-day Rotorua itinerary. Hot springs, hikes, cultural shows & more.

Nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, Rotorua is a top destination for travelers seeking an authentic Māori cultural experience, geothermal wonders, and outdoor adventures.

The settlement itself has developed inside a 240 000 year old caldera, one of the biggest sleeping volcano in the area. This is why, Rotorua is mainly known for its bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers, and hot springs, all caused by the region’s geothermal activity. It’s the place to witness the grand Pōhutu Geyser in action, explore the geothermal parks, and soak in mineral-rich hot pools for a truly relaxing experience.

Rotorua is also home to a rich Māori heritage, and visitors can experience this through traditional cultural performances, authentic Māori cuisine, and interactive tours of Māori villages. You can also try your hand at traditional crafts, such as carving or weaving, or learn about the customs and beliefs of the local people.

For adventure seekers, Rotorua offers a range of exciting activities, such as ziplining, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting. And opportunities to explore the city’s beautiful parks, such as Redwoods Forest, or take a scenic hike to one of the area’s many stunning waterfalls.

Rotorua Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Discover the famous Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park, walk around Rotorua City Center (Ōhinemutu living Māori suburb, Government Gardens, Kuirau Park & mud pools) and spend an evening in a traditional Māori setting.

Day 2: Start by relaxing for a few hours at the spa, and then go visit the cute Kiwi birds in their natural habitat. Have lunch at the Eat Street, take a tour of the lakes and reserve your evening for a forest walk and geysers erupting under the stars.

Day 3: Great day for spending some time in the great outdoors of Rotorua: a bit of adrenaline, volcanoes and panoramic views of Rotorua.

How Many Days in Rotorua?

For a general visit to Rotorua, a 3-day itinerary is a good starting point.

If you’re interested in experiencing the geothermal wonders, Maori culture, and adventure activities, then the 3 days would enough to explore the city and its surroundings. This would give you enough time to visit the popular attractions like Te Puia, Wai-O-Tapu, and experience Maori culture. Added to that, you would have plenty of opportunities for nature walks and adventure activities like ziplining or mountain biking.

How to Spend 3 Days in Rotorua

🚡 Day 1: Wai-O-Tapu, Rotorua City Center & Parks, Maori Experience

08:30 a.m. – Visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Start your first day at Wai-O-Tapu, an active geothermal park in Taupo Volcanic Zone. It’s all about walking trails and natural wonders: hot springs, geysers, waterfalls and bubbling mud pools.

One of the highlights of the park is the Lady Knox Geyser. Each day, at 10:15 a.m., boiling water shoots high into the air. The Champagne Pool, a naturally coloured lake, which you’ve probably seen in plenty of photographs while searching for things to do and see in Rotorua, with its vibrant blue and green hues, is another beauty.

12:00 p.m. – Go to Rotorua City Center: Government Gardens & Lakefront

Government Gardens in Rotorua City Center, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

The historical Government Gardens sits on the lakefront of Rotorua. This place is in fact a park where heritage and legend meet.

Originally gifted to the British crown by the Maori people, the 50-acre geothermal scrubland was cleared in the 20th century and transformed into an elaborate spa attraction: a Tudor-style bathhouse and a Mediterranean-style public pool. The gardens are home to these ancient geothermal pools, along with stunning multi-trunked Japanese firs and Californian weeping redwoods, all dating back to the early 1900s.

The iconic bathhouse hosts a museum and a remarkable exhibition, while the ornate Blue Baths, are source for relaxation: heated waters and a reminder of the old Hollywood-style ambiance.

01:30 p.m. – Wander Around Ōhinemutu Suburb

Marae – traditional meeting place of the Maori

03:30 p.m. – Have a footbath at Kuirau Park & Check the Mud Pools

06:30 p.m. – Maori Evening at Mitai Village

Maori warriors at Mitai Village

Rotorua is widely known for its rich Maori cultural heritage, Maori being the indigenous people of New Zealand. The city is home to several traditional forest villages and cultural attractions. Each establishment belongs to a family. One of these is Mitai Maori Village.

Here you can have a tour of an ancient settlement replica and feel the Maori’s deep spiritual connection to land and sea. Added to that, partake in unique traditions that have been passed down through generations: legendary song and dance performances including Haka war dance, witness the uncovering of a traditional hangi dinner, discover ta moko tattooing and watch warriors paddling down in a canoe the Wai-o-whiro stream.

And after, you can marvel at the glow worms!

🚡 Day 2: Steamy Spas, Cute Kiwi Birds, Military Ducks, Geysers by Night

09:00 a.m. – Take a dip at the Polynesian Spa

First thing in the morning, go to a spa! Rotorua is the heaven for geothermal pools.

For example, you can unwind and soak at the Polynesian spa. There are multiple pools filled with natural, mineral-rich waters And you can enjoy all this rejuvenating and healing bliss having Lake Rotorua as backdrop. Another option are Hell’s Gate mud baths and sulphur spa after exploring another out-of-this-world geothermal park. And last, but not least, the Secret Spot Hot Tubs hidden in the lush forest and surrounded by the thrill of birds.

All three options can be booked below.

12:00 p.m. – Visit the cute kiwi birds

02:00 p.m. – Have Lunch on Eat Street

03:30 p.m. – Duck Tours

Rotorua Duck Tours WWII Military Vehicle, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

This is something I highly recommend, especially if you’re on a family trip. It’s a 2-hour fully-guided adventure on land AND WATER aboard an authentic WWII amphibious military duck, affectionately known as “Matilda”.

The tour includes splashes on one or two of the many beautiful lakes in the region and visits to scenic spots. The itinerary passes lake Tikitapu, crystal-clear blue waters and sandy beaches, Lake Okareka, a serene spot surrounded by lush greenery, and the sacred Lake Rotokakahe. With Mt. Tarawera as backdrop.

It’s a fun trip with fascinating insights into the history of the land, the culture, and the catastrophic 1886 eruption of Mt. Tarawera.

06:30 p.m. – Take a scenic stroll on the Redwoods Treewalk,

Rotorua Redwoods Forest By Night, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

Have you ever dreamed of being a fairy or an elf, walking on treetops, way above a mystical grove? Well, Redwoods Treewalk can actually make that happen. Wandering among towering redwoods, 12-meter high, on swaying bridge-like paths that give you a bird’s-eye view of the stunning forest and its giant silver ferns below, is inexplicably beautiful.

And why visit Redwoods Treewalk at nighttime? The walkway is illuminated by huge wooden chandeliers and fire-flies-disguised lasers, giving the impression you’re surrounded by an enchanted forest.

I am a bit afraid of heights. So, for me, climbing at night, was both magical and bearable.

08:45 p.m. – Marvel at Te Puia Geyser By Night

Te Puia Park, Image Courtesy: Te Puia

Te Puia is another enchanting park in the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. It’s home of the Pōhutu geyser, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, boiling hot and bubbling mud. The landscpe is filled with scattered Māori Crafts, sculptures and structures such as the impressive Te Heketanga-ā-Rangi.

Walking down the mysterious, starlit trails of Te Puia with torches in hand reveals a completely new, black and white face of the volcanic hot spot.

That, along with the sound of the boiling earth, plus the faint mist rising in the air makes the evening experience even more otherworldly. While waiting for Pōhutu to erupt in all its strength, you can indulge in a traditional dessert and listen to ancient stories and myths of Māori people.

🚡 Day 3: Adventure Sports, Nature Walks, Glowworm Caves

08:30 a.m. – Take On a Thrilling Adventure

Kaituna River, Copyright © Kaitiaki Adventures

Rotorua is known for adventure sports, including ziplining, white-water rafting, and bungy jumping.

In this sense, on the west side of  Rotorua lake the one popular spot for skyrocketing adrenaline is Velocity Valley. It’s an adventure park in the heart of Mother Nature. Sky swings, freefall rides, jet boat rides, all things that will make your heart beat harder. You can get your ticket here.

Not far from it there is also Rotorua Canopy Tours, voted as TripAdvisor’s #1 nature activity in the world. It’s a journey through 500 hectares of ancient native forest using suspended swing bridges, treetop platforms, forest trails.

On the east side of Rotorua Lake, you can choose rafting on the wild rivers of Wairoa, Kaituna and Rangitaiki. Pool drops along steep native bush clad canyons, waterfalls, scenic native forests, stunning boulder and tree lined gorge combining turbulent, white water rapids. Book your adventure here.

11:30 a.m. – Rotorua Skyline and Lunch

Rotorua Skyline Gondola gives the best panoramic views of the geothermal area, lakes, and the surrounding countryside as it takes you up on Mount Ngongotaha. Luge rides, zip lining, and mountain biking are some of the fun activities at the top, which makes it great place for families and adventure seekers.

There is also the Volcanic Hills Winery Tasting, the Market Kitchen restaurant with its scenic views and the Jelly Belly Concept Store where framed jelly bean versions of famous artworks such as Monalisa or the Starry Night decorate the walls.

Nestled above the top Gondola complex, there is the  Skyline Nature History Walk. A relatively 1-hour return mountain trail with informative panels explaining the region’s past and culture.

In the Afternoon

Mount Tarawera on the horizon, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

Option 1

01:00 p.m. –  Mount Tarawera Guided Hiking

It all starts with an off-road 4×4 vehicle into the North Island wilderness. And continues with winding hiking trails from the base of Mt Tarawera, a sleeping volcano, to the crater’s edge.

It’s a magnificent experience into the wild and rich geology of New Zealand, with views over the geothermal valley of Waimangu.

Option 2

03:30 p.m. – Lake Rotoiti Kayaking

Or you can embark on an enchanting evening of kayaking on Lake Rotoiti, where you’ll be able to explore glowworm and crayfish caves and unwind in natural hot springs.

The evening ends with a delicious barbecue picnic dinner in the Kiwi style: yummy  steaks, gourmet sausages and more.

If you want to spend the afternoon on your own and save some money, you can also go for a hike around the Blue and Green Lakes, also known as Lake Tikitapu and Lake Rotokakahi. These are stunning bodies of water located one next to each other. And many people prefer to walk just in between them, to the midpoint where they can witness and relish the contrasting colors from both sides.

The area offers multiple opportunities for water activities such as swimming, boating, and jet skiing.

Where to Stay in Rotorua?

Where to Eat in Rotorua?

Eat Street culinary Hub in Rotorua, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

Best Time to visit Rotorua?

Getting to & Around Rotorua?

Organized Tours in Rotorua Area