Rotorua - Travel Guide
Rotorua New Zealand is a place like no other. Although only a good three hours’ drive from Auckland (230km | 143mi), it’s like entering another world. Steaming vents and bubbling mud carve the ever-changing landscape and a constant smell of sulfur lies in the air.
Rotorua lies in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which stretches from White Island all the way to Tongariro National Park. The earth crust here is thin, which results in a lot of geothermal activity, a range of active volcanoes and geothermal parks in the area.
The geothermal activity in Rotorua makes the area a (quite literal) hotspot for spa and wellness treatments. You can treat your skin to a full-body mud mask or soak up the warm thermal water in the many spas or in one of the free hot springs.
You are truly spoilt for choice in Rotorua if you are an adrenaline junkie. It may not be as famous as its southern equivalent Queenstown, but there are just as many awesome and thrilling things to do in Rotorua, maybe even more!
In no other place in New Zealand is it as easy to learn about Maori culture as in Rotorua. There is an array of Maori villages where visitors learn about the birth of Aotearoa New Zealand and see how wood, bone and pounamu (NZ jade) is carved. The Maori villages also serve a traditional hangi meal.
You probably wonder how long to stay in Rotorua. While there’s enough action, adventure and nature to be had to keep you entertained for weeks, most people stay in Rotorua for 2 nights.
How to get to Rotorua:
By plane: Direct flights connect Rotorua to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. If you want to depart from other towns in New Zealand, you’ll need to change flights in one of the three cities.
By car/motorhome: The distance Auckland - Rotorua is 230km | 143mi and it takes just over three hours on the most direct route. Coming from Wellington, it will take you around 6.5 hours (450km | 280mi) and the distance between Rotorua and Taupo is 80km | 50mi which will take you about 1 hour.
By public transport: Intercity drives regularly between Auckland and Wellington and stops in Rotorua along the way. Taking the bus is the cheapest option to get around New Zealand.
Taking a tour: You can either book one of the 1 or 2-week bus tours or there are options to join a one-way tour from Auckland to Rotorua where you visit Hobbiton and/or Waitomo Caves along the way.
