Rotorua is a tourism hotspot in the north island of New Zealand known for its geothermal activity. I came here as part of a weekend getaway in 2022 and will be going again this year for Matariki!
Where to Stay in Rotorua
We stayed at the beautiful Awa Homestead Lodge. This place was perfect for cosy winter getaway. The lodge has plenty of space for large groups with seven rooms, two lounge areas, and a spacious dining area. The fireplace keeps the place warm, but there’s also a spa pool to soak in and relax too.
Awa Homestead also offers a tiny home getaway in their Tree House. While much smaller than the lodge it has just as much character! It would be a perfect getaway for any couples looking for an aesthetic getaway to Rotorua.
The homestead is in a super convenient location to explore Rotorua with many popular attractions and the main town within a 15 minute drive away.
To book, contact Joss directly through details found on their website!
Not a couple or a large group? Take a look at other accommodation options in Rotorua through Booking.com below:
Sights & Activities in Rotorua
Redwoods Tree Walk
Beautiful at day and night, standard entry for one walk at either time is $45.
I recommend the walk at night to see all the beautiful light installations come to life!
Book ahead of your visit as this is a popular attraction. There are also options to purchase a fast pass, and combine the normal tree walk with various other activities. The fast pass may be well worth it on weekends or public holidays.
If you want the full experience of what there is to do around the Redwoods, you can book a full combo pass below. This will allow you access to Redwoods Altitude (the full treewalk track 25 metres high in the trees that includes jungle bridges & ziplines) and a visit to a cave with glow worms.
Kuirau Park
This free park sits by the town centre, and has many boardwalks over geothermal sights Rotorua is famous for – crater lake, mud pools and hot springs.
There’s also a farmer’s market run on Saturdays from 6am – 1pm.
Okere Falls
Just 20 mins away from Rotorua, there is an easy walking track through native forest along the river and past the small waterfall.
It’s also doable at night, where you’d be able to see glow worms!
If you’re into white water rafting you can also travel down the river and waterfalls themselves! Check out available rafting tours!
Skyline Gondola & Luge
Looking for something a little more fast-paced? The luge is a must visit for you.
Rotorua has the longest and greatest range of all the Skyline sites, with five possible routes you can take. Price is per luge ride (starting from 3), so if you’re wanting to try all of them, the five rides deal for $98 is the one you want. Bookings include a return gondola ride, and a photo just before it. There are also passes that inlcude lunch or dinner reservations at the restaurant as well.
Check out & book even more tourist attractions around Rotorua below through Get Your Guide!
Local Events
Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival – June / July
Matariki is a public holiday in Aotearoa New Zealand marking the Māori New Year, and the rising of the star cluster it is named after in the winter sky (also known as the Pleiades star cluster). Traditionally, it is a season of remembrance, celebration, and renewal, where whānau (family) and communities come together to honour loved ones who have passed, give thanks for the present, and look ahead to the future with hope.
In Rotorua, Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival runs as part of the celebration, and includes night markets and a drone show above the lakefront each night of the public holiday weekend.
The first night we arrived in Rotorua, the drone show was unfortunately cancelled due to high speed winds, but we shuffled around our plans to make it to the next night.
It was well worth the wait! The show only lasts for about 15 minutes, but over 500 drones were choreographed to go through the story behind each star in the Matariki star cluster. Creating magical images
Thanks for joining me on my journey!
Check out my New Zealand Pinterest board for more sights and activities around this beautiful country!
Interested in more road trip content around New Zealand’s north island? See my blog post on the Bay of Islands.
