What To See & Do

NZ’s #1 visited working archaeological and heritage village showcasing stories and displays of the world famous Pink and White terraces, the 1886 Eruption of Mt Tarawera and resulting devastation of the Te Wairoa settlement. The village includes an award winning Museum exhibition, over a 1-km trail through archaeological sites and a very breath-taking short walk to the beautiful Te Wairoa waterfall, a 35m high falls that connects the sacred Green Lake through to the majestic Lake Tarawera.

An evening at Mitai will give you an authentic introduction to Maori Culture, leaving you inspired as well as entertained. Learn about our history, carvings and ta moko (tattoo art). Be captivated by the displays of weaponry and combat, coupled with the grace and beauty of the poi dance, followed by a spine-tingling haka finale. Be enthralled by the natural bush setting where you will see warriors in traditional dress padding a waka (ancient canoe), and don’t miss your only opportunity to see glow worms in the Rotorua area.

This beautiful walk is a 5.5km loop and takes roughly 1½ hours. You can start directly in front of the park and walk either way.  There is a lookout point at the back of the lake where it is possible to view both the Blue and Green Lakes. Along the walk there are several spots to stop at and admire the view. Ask reception about the Blue Lake Glow Worms, well worth a nightly visit. We can even give you a Flash Light.

Aboard their unique plane, you will take a spectacular scenic flight as a window-framed taste of the view to come. Reaching height the door opens and the adrenaline kicks in. With your heart in your throat and your blood rushing through your ears, you jump…

You’ll free-fall at 200km/h! Make sure you keep your eyes open – you can now see from the East to the West Coast; from White Island to Taranaki; the gorgeous Tongariro National Park and the clear waters of Lake Taupo.

River Rats Raft and Kayak are one of New Zealand’s most professional and well-known rafting companies. They have over 30 years experience in providing customers with quality adventures, and pride themselves on their safety-first culture and attention to detail.
They offer rafting on the Kaituna (Grade 5) - Awesome with a 7 metre waterfall, Wairoa (Grade 5) - Wild (dates available on request), Rangitaiki (Grade 3-4) - Adventurous, fun & beautifully scenic, and on the Rangitaiki (Grade 2) - Scenic and great for families.

Superman dive into a giant inflatable ball and roll down Mt Ngongotaha with ZORB, where
the fun will have you laughing uncontrollably. Discover FOUR different ball rolling tracks –
the world’s longest zig-zag Sidewinder Track, the smooth ‘n’ fast double Straight Track,
MEGA TRACK - the longest, fastest and steepest track in all the land, and the newest track;
Big Air, our latest thrill ride. Ride with water or without water, the choice is yours!

Set amongst the native trees and beautiful forests of Rotorua, Rainbow Springs Nature Park offers a fun-packed and educational experience for the whole family. Learn about New Zealand’s fascinating natural history and meet the creatures who call this great land of ours home.

Each day the park run special Encounters which allow you to get closer than ever to some of their favourite park residents including trout, reptiles and native birds.

Make sure you take a ride on the Big Splash, and don't forget to head to the crowd-pleasing Bird Show.

For those travellers who would like to take a break from finding their own way around, we recommend Taylors Tours who can provide various sightseeing packages around Rotorua, Taupo and the Bay of Plenty. The ‘Rotorua-in-a-Day Tour’ includes Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, Waimangu Thermal Valley, Te Puia, Agrodome and Rainbow Springs. Alternative afternoon options can take in the Blue and Green Lakes, Lake Tarawera Lookout and the Buried Village.

Combine learning about a historically significant area with the thrill of riding in New Zealand’s only genuine operating WW2 landing crafts. Beginning in the heart of Rotorua, you’ll see historic buildings, hot springs, geothermal wonders and more. Then, head out to Blue Lake, our most recreational lake, and Lake Okareka – nestled in the heart of a vibrant community – for two fun Splashdowns. The kids will love it!

The reserve is located opposite Blue Lake TOP 10 Holiday Park Rotorua and is an ideal spot for families to enjoy the beautiful clear waters of the Blue Lake. The lake is very popular for water sports such as water skiing, jet skiing, rowing and power boat racing. The surrounding area has hosted multi-sports events including Xterra, The ‘She’ Triathlon event for women and Half Iron Man events.

Situated five minutes from central Rotorua, Te Puia is an iconic destination for visitors featuring the world famous Pohutu Geyser, Māori cultural performances, live Kiwi, boiling mud pools, and native bush.

Te Puia is also the home of the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, and acts as a kaitiaki (guardian) of the traditional Māori skills of carving and weaving for future generations.