Come to Rotorua and witness the powerful forces of nature that shaped New Zealand. This city on the volcanic plateau lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, surrounded by some of the world’s most active geothermal areas.
Rotorua in New Zealand is also the ancestral home of the Te Arawa people, an indigenous tribe that settled here over 600 years ago, offering visitors a rich cultural experience. You can enjoy a hearty meal cooked by steam in an underground earth oven, visit pre-European Māori villages, or soak in incredibly relaxing hot springs.
Rotorua is definitely a place that gets your heart racing ―― From skydiving and luge rides to zorbing and cable sliding, there’s no shortage of thrills. You can also experience the world’s highest commercial waterfall rafting drop ―― At 7 meters, the Tutira Falls (Tutea Falls) will definitely get your adrenaline pumping. In addition, Rotorua is home to one of New Zealand’s well-known mountain biking loop trails.
It is also a prime trout fishing destination, with multiple lake areas and tributaries forming a vast angling paradise; even if you don’t land a trophy catch, you can still visit the Rainbow Springs and Fairy Springs (Fairy Spring) to see giant trout for consolation. With its own international airport, Rotorua serves as the gateway to North Island ski fields. To enjoy top-notchskiing and snowboardingat Mount Ruapehu in winter, you must pass through here.
Afterward, you can embark on leisurely sightseeing hikes: join a canopy tour during the day or night to view pristine forests from above; or walk the newly opened Tarawera Trail, which circles the lake of the same name, exploring historical sites and crossing bubbling streams while admiring giant ferns. Be sure to try traditional Māori food, and we recommend starting with the newly renovated Eat Streatopen-air dining area, where you can enjoy exquisite cuisine amid the ever-present geothermal steam.