One Day in Rotorua: Geothermal Pools & Maori Culture
By Daniella from Sampler Platter Travel – this guide to Rotorua contains affiliate links to trusted partners!
Looking to spend one day in Rotorua? Is this charming town a stop on your North Island road trip? This itinerary guides you through the must-see geothermal pools, best Maori cultural experiences, and favorite restaurants.
My partner and I loved Rotorua when we visited as part of a 2-week New Zealand tour. Our only regret is not experiencing a Maori performance and urge everyone interested to get tickets!
While you could certainly spend more than one day in Rotorua, Sampler Platter Travel is dedicated to fast itineraries helping you prioritize things to do if you only have a short amount of time.
Happy sampling!
Why Should You Visit Rotorua?
If you’re reading this blog, chances are that you’re considering going to Rotorua on the North Island of New Zealand.
Visiting Rotorua is a fantastic idea – it is known for its rich Maori culture and geothermal pools. Whereas a lot of New Zealand activities revolve around cycling, hiking, and outdoor adventure, Rotorua is a quieter city.
This is your chance to watch a Maori performance or relax in a natural hot spring. It can be a much-needed break during an otherwise active trip.
Things to Do in Rotorua in One Day
(1) ZORB Rotorua
This might be my childhood dream coming true, but I knew years before planning a trip to New Zealand that going zorbing in Rotorua was on my bucket list.
Not sure what zorbing is? This fun activity was born right in Rotorua and involves getting into a large plastic ball and rolling down the side of a hill. The ball is filled with water to ensure there is no skin chafing, with the rides lasting about 2 minutes.
We went in the fall, which was a perfect mix of good weather and no lines. There are hot tubs to relax in between your runs and different routes you can do. We did all of them! Make sure to book your tickets in advance here.
(2) Mini Golf with Rabbits
Here’s another unique activity that you can do in Rotorua. If zorbing isn’t your cup of tea, you can play mini golf with rabbits. The course is a full 18 holes, with tame rabbits playing alongside you. The course has beautiful water features, and on top of the rabbits has pigeons, fish, and frogs.
The rabbits won’t be afraid of you, so make sure to be careful before putting! Book your tickets for mini golf with rabbits here.
(3) Rotorua Night Market (Thursday)
If you’re lucky to visit Rotorua on a Thursday, the Rotorua night market is a wonderful option. There are food trucks for a bite to eat as well as arts and crafts stalls to get all of your souvenir shopping done. The Rotorua Night Market is right in the heart of the town, so you can leave your car in the parking lot before heading over.
(4) Eat Streat
Not a typo! For lunch or dinner, head to Eat Streat with a wonderful selection of restaurants. Eat Streat is pedestrian-only, with a cool roof frequently lit up in different colors.
We had a meal at Atticus Finch and loved their modern New Zealand dishes and well-priced cocktails. Other restaurant options include:
BREW Craft Beer Pub
Lady Janes Ice Cream Parlor
Sobar & Café – Burgers
If you’re looking for a more upbeat end to your evening, make sure to hit the boutique nightclub on Eat Streat!
(5) Relax at a Spa
Rotorua was one of the most relaxing cities that we hit on our itinerary in New Zealand as a lot of other places in the North Island are focused on hiking.
Rotorua is your chance to relax, especially if you are going to head South to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing directly afterward. What’s a better way to relax than at a spa? This is especially true in a town with naturally occurring geothermal activity.
Spa Option #1 – Polynesian Spa
The most central location in the town of Rotorua is the Polynesian Spa. This is one of the easier spas to visit as they offer day. It is a gathering place for both locals and visitors, meant to be a community experience. Don’t be surprised if people decide to engage in conversation with you!
The Polynesian Spa is made up of 28 hot pools split into 3 public bathing areas and 2 private pool areas which are sourced from 2 natural hot springs. It is said that the acidic water will relieve tired muscles while the alkaline waters will help your skin.
On top of the pools, there is also a day spa where you can book a treatment. For this activity, make sure to allocate 3 hours.
Spa Option #2 – Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
If you are willing to drive a little bit further out of central Rotorua, the Waikite Valley Thermal Pools are located 30 minutes from the city center and provide a very tranquil experience.
The main pool complex has 6 different bathing options, and if you are feeling it, you can even book a private pool experience. The hot pools are a bit more relaxing than the Polynesian Spa, but you do have to drive quite a bit out of the way.
Grab your small group tickets here.
(6) Maori Village Experience
Option #1 – Whakarewarewa
For a wonderful Maori village experience, we recommend Whakarewarewa, a living Maori village that is the home of the Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao people. It is located just a 5-minute drive outside of the city. At the village, there are a couple of things that you can do:
Take a guided village tour – Have a guide lead you through the village and share the myths, stories, and insights that the Maori people have passed through generations for hundreds of years.
Self-guided geothermal trail – like a lot of places in Rotorua, Whakarewarewa also has geothermal activity, and you can take a self-guided walk through the pools. Entrance tickets are required for this activity.
Cultural performances – the living Maori village is owned and operated by its local residents. Visitors are welcome to view cultural performances with song and dance, including the famous haka.
Option #2 – Te Pa Tu, The Gathering Place
For a more structured experience, head to Te Pa Tu. This 3.5-hour set evening experience includes a show and traditional Maori cuisine. The show takes place within a beautiful forest amphitheater, and if you have a knack for trying hangi, this is a great place to do so.
It is not the best option for budget travelers, but I will say that we regret not going. We were not able to have a Maori experience later on the trip. If you are considering trying Maori food and watching a performance, grab your tickets here.
(7) Walk Around a Geothermal Park
Option #1 – Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is considered the most impressive geothermal park near Rotorua, where you can see tons of boiling lakes and spurting geysers. It takes about 40 to 90 minutes to walk through the park.
The Champagne Pool is famous for having red rock around the rim and green water. Lady Knox Geyser also erupts daily. If you are interested in seeing geothermal activity, it takes about 20 minutes to drive to Waiotapu from Rotorua.
However, it’s important to note that the park is not free, with an adult ticket costing 45 NZD.
Option #2 – Kuirau Park
Our top pick is to stick around Kuirau Park for a free and awesome geothermal experience. Unless you feel strongly about seeing a bigger park, Kuirau Park is in the city center, offering a great taste of geothermal activity.
Park paths take you through boiling mud pools, and most are marked with signs warning you not to touch the water. However, there is a public foot bath where locals and visitors can dip their feet in water of a safe temperature.
The park is an incredible experience – the pools get very steamy making for an eerie, Halloween-like vibe.
(8) Do the Redwoods Tree Walk
Finally, for an outdoor adventure, try the Redwoods Tree Walk. Instead of walking on regular trails, visitors can wander around bridges and platforms that are suspended in the area.
The daytime tour lets you do a self-guided walk among the 120-year-old Redwood trees, lasting about 40 minutes.
At night, the park turns on its lights for an illuminated experience.
If you want to get your heart pumping, Redwoods Altitude is a separate activity where you are harnessed, elevated 25 meters into the air, and guided by a leader.
Getting Around in Rotorua
The city center of Rotorua is condensed and walkable. If you want to explore the free geothermal pools and grab a bite to eat at Eat Streat, you won’t need a car. Feel free to park your car in a lot and leave it for the day.
If you are interested in the activities that are located further out of the city, we recommend doing those first and working your way towards the center. Zorb Rotorua and the Waikite Valley Thermal Pools are a lot further out.
Where to Stay in Rotorua
If you are visiting Rotorua in a campervan, we highly, highly recommend the Hinemoa Street Carpark. It has a ton of parking spots and is within walking distance of Kuirau Park, Te Pa Tu, Eat Streat, and the i-site with a shower.
If you aren’t driving a self-contained vehicle, here are the top hotels in central Rotorua:
| Price and Rating | Name | Benefits |
| 8.1 Stars on Booking.com, Average $95/night | JetPark Hotel | Great location to top sightsGood breakfast served in the morningSuper clean space |
| 8.0 Stars on Booking.com, Average $62/night | Urban Lounge Sleepery | Younger crowd with a bit of a hostel vibeLaundry facilities on siteClean and modern |
| 8.1 Stars on Booking.com, Average $138/night | Pullman Rotorua | Super modern and glassy hotelPrivate parking availableBar and restaurant on site |
| 9.0 Stars on Booking.com, Average $104/night | Aura Accommodation | Includes a hot spring bathSuper attentive teamOutdoor BBQ area |
| 8.8 Stars on Hostelworld, starting at $8/night | Rotorua Downtown Backpackers | Comfortable and modern hostelHas an outdoor oasis with BBQGood deals on activities and transportation |
| 8.7 Stars on Hostelworld, Average $49/night | Haka House Rotorua | Beautifully designed accommodationComfortable lounge and kitchen areasStaff can organize tours |
FAQs About One Day in Rotorua
How do you spend one day in Rotorua?
Rotorua is a fantastic town to spend one day in. If you’re traveling around New Zealand in a camper van, chances are that you will be very active throughout your trip. Rotorua is a town where you can slow down and enjoy the tranquil pace of life before continuing on your way.
We recommend checking out a spa, walking around a free geothermal park, and participating in a Maori dinner and show. Rotorua is the place to meet locals and fellow travelers.
Where to avoid in Rotorua?
We always like to paint our destinations in a positive light in this blog, but it is important to note that there are certain areas in Rotorua that you should avoid. The area surrounding Rotorua has been named one of the top 10 worst areas in New Zealand for violence (including assault and robbery).
It might come as a shock because Rotorua is such a wonderful place to visit, but the areas to potentially avoid are Kuirau, Western Heights, Victoria, Mangakakahi, and the Fordlands.
We thought Rotorua felt safe, but we did want to mention this information for travelers who are a bit more weary.
What is the best month to visit Rotorua?
Fall is the best month to visit Rotorua as temperatures are just starting to get chilly but it isn’t too cold. The summer months bring tons and tons of crowds to the city, so it might be less relaxing to go to the geothermal pools or a spa. Maori cultural experiences are more likely to be booked out in the summer.
What is Rotorua famous for?
Rotorua is home to volcanic lakes, natural hot springs, and Maori cultural centers. Around Rotorua, there are so many ways to see naturally occurring mud pools and geothermal lakes, while the spas provide opportunities for lounging and bathing.
We highly recommend Kuirau Park, right in the heart of the city. This park lets you see a bunch of boiling mud pools and even has a spot where you can dip your feet in.
We hope you enjoyed this fast-paced itinerary for one day in Rotorua, New Zealand. The beautiful city is a perfect location to explore Maori culture and hang out in a spa.
Check out the rest of our New Zealand guides!
Happy Sampling!