Boiling Mud and Living History: 11 must see and things to do in Rotorua and Taupo
- Barbara
- Jan 19
- 6 min read
Looking for the perfect blend of bubbling mud pools and rich Māori culture? Look no further than Rotorua!
Located on New Zealand’s North Island, Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland sitting right inside a volcanic caldera formed 240,000 years ago. Yes, you’re basically walking on a giant (but sleeping!) volcano. We spent the whole day in Rotorua and then stayed overnight in Taupo. I reccomend spending 2-3 days in the region as there is plenty to see and you can stay either in Rotorua or Taupo as they are only 1 hour distance between each other. One of my favourite activities where the walk in the Redwoods, as walking around the impressive trees was very relaxing and the Orakei Korako geothermal park as it looked a view from another world!
Table of Contents:
So, here is your ultimate guide to the best things to do in the Rotorua:
Learn more about Māori Culture:
Rotorua is the heart of Māori culture in New Zealand. There are three main ways to experience it, depending on what you’re looking for:
The living Maori Village Whakarewarewa:
Whakarewarewa is an actual maori village where people still live. Here you can learn more about Maori culture and how they used geothermal energy for their day-to-day life. You can also have some corn cooked on one of the geothermal waters! Every 2 hours they will also do a cultural performance at 11:15 and at 14:00. The living village tours start every hour at 9.00am, 10.00am, 12.00pm, 13.15pm, 2.00pm, 3.00pm, 4.00pm and it lasts for 1 hour. You can combine the tour with a visit to their geothermal park including hot springs and mud pools (you can’t bathe here as it is extremely hot!).
Te Puia:
Te Puia is a great spot to combine the geothermal wonders (like the Pōhutu Geyser) with the Maori culture and their cultural show. They have different tickets available, one even with access to the Kiwi Conservation Centre to see the kiwis, their national bird! The tour through the geothermal valley is all guided and the duration depends on which tour you choose (most are 90 minutes). Although this is not a living Maori village it is a good spot to learn a bit about Maori culture and see the hot springs and geysers.
Mitai Māori Village:
At Mitai Māori Village , you can experience Māori culture with a walk through the forest and watch warriors navigate the river in a traditional canoe. Afterward, join them for a delicious lunch or dinner (they can cater to dietary requirements, but it’s best to call before booking). After dinner, you can even join a guided walk to see the glowworms!
Which experience should you book? Well, it depends on what you prefer! If you want to see a functioning village and hot springs, visit Whakarewarewa. If you’re more interested in seeing a geothermal valley, local wildlife, but also learn a bit about the Māori, then choose Te Puia. Finally, if you want to combine a cultural experience with a feast and glowworms, Mitai Māori Village is the one for you.
Visit the natural geothermal hot springs:
Since Rotorua is the heart of geothermal activity, it’s the ideal place to see hot springs. Again here you have a few choices. The main place to view them is Te Puia on a guided tour, but you can also see them at the Whakarewarewa living village. If you are only interested in the springs themselves, Whakarewarewa offers a self-guided walk.
Another option is Hell’s Gate, where you can combine a tour of the geothermal springs (guided or self-guided) with a soak in their famous mud baths and sulfur pools.
Relax at a natural spa:
Since the area is so rich in geothermal energy, why not unwind in a spa?
Hell’s Gate: Hell’s Gate offers three different experiences ranging from walks around the hot springs to spa treatments.
Polynesian Spa: With a beautiful view over the lake, you can relax in hot mineral pools or treat yourself to a massage. Check out their packages at Polynesian spa.
Wai Ariki: Featuring three pools and a lake view, Wai Ariki is another popular spa destination. You can also enjoy a mud mask and a drink while you soak.
Blue and Green Lake:
These two lakes are slightly outside of Rotaroua, just a few minutes by car. You can’t visit the green lake as it is privately owned, but there is a viewpoint (search for ‘the blue and green lakes lookout') from where you can see both the green and the blue lake. The blue lake is visitable and there is a car park nearby. It is a good spot to relax and take some pictures, but personally unless you are alreay around the area you could spend more time in one of the other activities.
Hike around the Redwoods:
The Whakarewarewa Forest (The Redwoods) is one of the oldest exotic forests in New Zealand, and it is a truly relaxing place to walk among giant trees. There are several trails to choose from. The shortest, the Memorial Grove Track, is only 2 km and takes about 30 minutes; it’s a circular trail that passes a pretty pond. You can walk, mountain bike, or even go by horseback. The trails are well-signposted and easy to follow. Entrance is free, but the Treetop Walk is a paid attraction.
Treetop walk at the Redwoods:
The treetop walk consists of 28 suspension bridges hanging 20 meters high. You can do it during the day or at night when it's illuminated—or even do both with a combo ticket! Personally, I opted for a relaxing walk on the ground since I’m a bit scared of heights. If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, you can try the Altitude walk, which is even higher.
Redwoods Parking: There is plenty of parking available for both the redwoods trail and the treetop walk. The main lot is located at the visitor center, with additional parking just before and after it. The main gates are open for vehicle access from 5:30 am until late, but you can walk or bike in at any time.
Go on a gondola, zip line or race at Skyline Rotorua:
Located at the top of Mt. Ngongotaha, the Skyline is a fun complex featuring a gondola, zip lining, a giant swing, and luge tracks. Enjoy the views from the gondola or race your friends down the hill on a luge! Afterward, enjoy a meal at the Stratosphere Restaurant or visit the Volcanic Hills Winery. Bookings aren't essential for activities, but they are highly recommended for the restaurant. Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Walk around Rotorua:
Rotorua is a pretty city, with plenty of independent coffees and pubs. You could visit the Pig & Whistle historic pub, built in 1940 and with plenty of craft beers to choose from.
After spending the day in Rotaroua, our next destination was Taupo, a beautiful lakeside town about 1 hour drive from Rotaroua. There are a few things to do and see in between Rotaroua and Taupo.
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave:
Just a short 50-minute drive from Rotorua you will find this hidden pearl: Orakei Korako. You access the park by a short boat ride (included in your ticket) and will be amazed by silica terraces, hot pools, geysers, and a rare geothermal cave with clear water at the bottom (the "Pool of Mirrors"). It’s a self-guided tour that takes about an hour. The views are surreal and definitely worth the drive! Tickets are $51 per adult; the last boat leaves at 4:00 pm and the park closes at 5:00 pm. I loved this geothermal park, it was much quiter than the ones in Rotorua and it truly looked like being in another world.
Huka Falls:
One of the most impressive waterfalls in New Zealand, Huka Falls is located just a short drive from Taupō. The parking lot is only a short walk from the viewpoint. I even spotted a beautiful Tūī bird while I was there!
Taupō:
We stopped here overnight. The highlight of Taupō is the lake, which actually sits inside a giant volcanic crater! The area is also famous for its geothermal activity. We stayed at Oceans 88, and our suite had a stunning view of Lake Taupō along with a private hot tub filled with natural hot spring water.
From the bubbling mud pools of the geothermal park to the tall Redwoods, here there is something for everyone. So, pack your walking shoes (and definitely a swimsuit!) and get ready to experience the magic of the caldera for yourself. You won't regret making the trip, Rotorua is a destination like no other!
You can also read the Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Auckland by clicking here
If you enjoyed reading about this, be sure to subscribe!
All recommendations in this article are based on my personal experience and are currently unpaid. I aim to keep my content genuine, but please note that I am open to future collaborations, and any paid partnerships will always be clearly disclosed.
I routinely check my articles. If you spot any outdated information, please contact me so I can update it immediately!
Comments