Three Days in Rotorua: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary
Uncover geothermal wonders, immerse in Maori culture, & experience great outdoors thrills in this 3-day Rotorua itinerary. Hot springs, hikes, cultural shows & more.

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

KIA ORA! Just penned down a tested-and-true itinerary for one day in Rotorua right from this stunning New Zealand city. The experience is part of a weekend getaway, Rotorua day trip from Auckland, as September draws to a close.
If some weeks ago I was up in the sky, in my first more-than-24-hour flight, dreaming about reaching such a faraway destination, this is about another wonderful, well-spent day trip. It’s the ultimate itinerary for a day in Rotorua during winter season, beginning of spring, an almost perfect 24-hour plan put together with both efficiency and fun in mind.
Before we start, even though it might sound a bit odd talking about the end of September and the start of spring at the same time, remember, in New Zealand, the seasons are the opposite of what many of us are used to in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s a cool little weather twist that makes this place even more interesting. It’s quite amazing!
Let’s dive into what makes a day in Rotorua so unforgettable!

Is Oslo Pass worth buying in 2026? Below, a personal review of the city card opening doors for free transportation and free museum access, as well as discounted meals and shopping in Oslo.
Oslo is so beautiful! Still, a rather expensive city to visit, explore and fully enjoy.
Thankfully, magical fjords sightseeing, delicious Norwegian food and art spaces can all come with a discount when using Oslo Pass. Acting as an all-in-one complete sightseeing solution for Oslo visitors, the card easily replaces individual museum or transportation passes and discount tickets.
I had the opportunity to give Oslo Pass a try during November, together with my husband. We love winter trips! Therefore, Oslo was a great destination despite the cold weather. We were there for 4 full days, from Friday to Monday. But the 4 days in Oslo passed so fast that it seemed more like a weekend getaway.
Considering that on Mondays most museums are closed, we used the Oslo pass at the beginning of our trip. More specifically, from Friday to Sunday. And kept a bunch of free things to do and see in Oslo (without a pass) for a Monday morning.