Rotorua Travel Guide

Rotorua is the geothermal wonderland of New Zealand, with easily experienced Māori culture, family activities and a range of outdoor adventure activities such as white-water rafting and mountain biking. The hot springs and geysers of the city and region have attracted tourists for over a hundred years. Today, many visitors are also attracted by the Māori culture that is more dominant here than in many other parts of the country. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy mountain biking, whitewater rafting, luge riding and ZORB (rolling down a hill inside a plastic ball).

Rotorua is a 3-hour drive (non-stop) south ofAuckland, with several nice towns and villages along the way. There are two main routes: the first is via Hamilton, initially on State Highway 1, then joining State Highway 5 at Tirau. The other is via Matamata on State Highway 2 and 27, leaving SH 1 at Pokeno (50 km south of central Auckland) and rejoining it at Tirau. The Matamata route has lighter traffic and is probably more interesting for travellers, but the road is of a lower standard than SH 1

Cityride, operated by Baybus. Phone number: 0800 4 229 28. There is a limited bus service. The buses are lime green in colour and branded "CityRide". The main terminus is at the corner of Fenton Street/Arawa Street (near the isite). These buses operate several routes from one side of the city to the other, including Ngongotahā (handy for accessing the Skyline, National Kiwi Hatchery and Agrodome attractions) and the airport.

This geothermal wonderland has some hazards. Respect safety signs and barriers around active geothermal locations - they are there for good reasons. The hot water and mud from geothermal springs can be boiling hot. Superheated steam may cause eruptions - after all it is steam that makes the geysers spout.

There are many hotels, rental homes, backpackers, motor homes, camp grounds, motels and bed and breakfasts around Rotorua.