An Incredible Rotorua 3 Day Itinerary

Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of must-see experiences in Rotorua and not sure how to fit them all into just three days? You’re not alone! With so many geothermal wonders, cultural highlights, and outdoor activities, planning the perfect trip can feel like a challenge. But don’t worry, this 3-day Rotorua itinerary is designed to help you make the most of your time without missing out on any of the key sights.

Drawing from firsthand experience, I’ve carefully crafted this guide to maximise both your enjoyment and relaxation, ensuring you experience the best Rotorua has to offer while avoiding common travel headaches.

This post may contain affiliate links (of companies I book through). This means I may receive a small commission if you book through them. You can read the disclaimer for more information.

Day One

Start your adventure in Rotorua by diving straight into the geothermal heart of the region. In the morning, visit either Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland or Te Puia, both iconic geothermal parks offering unique experiences.

Wai O Tapu or Te Puia

Leave your accommodation early enough to arrive at Wai O Tapu for the eruption of Lady Knox Geyser at 10:15 am. If you require tickets, make sure you allow an extra half an hour. All the information and photos for this attraction are in our Wai O Tapu Guide.

Allow 2 hours for visiting here. You can take lunch with you or eat at the café.

We really enjoyed our time at Tapu Thermal Wonderland and thought it to be good value and worth adding into any New Zealand itinerary.

See Price and Availability Here

Te Puia offers not only geothermal wonders but also a deep dive into Maori culture. Here, you can witness the impressive Pohutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, which erupts multiple times a day.

Te Puia is also home to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, where you can observe traditional carving and weaving, and learn about Maori traditions and history. If you’re interested in culture as well as nature, Te Puia is the perfect choice.

See Price and Availability Here

Lunch in Rotorua

After a morning filled with natural wonders, head back into Rotorua for a well-deserved lunch. There are plenty of great options in the city centre. Consider stopping by Capers Café + Store for fresh, local dishes, or Ciabatta Café & Bakery if you’re in the mood for artisan sandwiches and pastries.

Whakarewarewa Forest – The Redwoods

Spend the afternoon in the stunning Californian Redwoods Forest (Whakarewarewa Forest). This 5600 hectares forest is a paradise for nature enthusiasts.

The forest has over 130 kilometres of well-maintained mountain bike trails suitable for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. You can rent a bike from a nearby shop, such as Planet Bike, and hit the trails that wind through the towering trees, offering stunning scenery and exhilarating rides.

If mountain biking is not your thing, there are plenty of walks to choose from including short walks and long hikes. We only did a short walk but still managed to see a lot of the redwoods and enjoy the tranquility of the forest.

The Redwoods Treewalk is here too. It consists of 28 suspension bridges that take you between the trees and sits at 20 metres high. Story Boards provide information on forestry and local stories.

More information and prices can be found on the Treewalk website.

The Visitor Centre provides information as well as snacks and coffee.

Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Rides

The final attraction for the day is the skyline, an exciting blend of breathtaking views and heart-pounding fun. There are plenty of options to choose from including gondola, luge, mountain biking, ziplines, skyswing, and dining.

Start by taking the Skyline Gondola up to the top of Mount Ngongotaha, where you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Lake Rotorua and the surrounding countryside.

The gondolas seat 8 people but we had one all to ourselves. You will see Lake Rotorua, the city and possibly some geothermal activity.

Once at the top, it’s time for some luge action! The Skyline Luge offers three different tracks—scenic, intermediate, and advanced—so you can choose the level of thrill you’re comfortable with. Hop into your luge cart and race down the winding tracks, enjoying the twists, turns, and tunnels along the way. Each ride is unique, and you can purchase multiple rides if you want to experience all the tracks.

You can pre-purchase tickets here.

For a more relaxed afternoon, consider combining your luge rides with a visit to Volcanic Hills Winery at the top of the gondola. Here, you can indulge in a wine tasting session while taking in the stunning views—a perfect way to wind down after the adrenaline of the luge.

Dinner at Stratosfare Restaurant

Alternatively, why not stay for dinner at the Stratosfare Restaurant? The buffet was delicious with plenty of options to choose from. The views were amazing too and we took some beautiful photos from the outdoor area. I would recommend booking in advance for this though as it is a popular choice.

Day Two

Whakarewarewa Village

This was the highlight of our stay in Rotorua.

Whakarewarewa Village is home of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people who share the way they live with visitors. They own and run this living Māori Village which provides a fascinating insight into Māori culture and the heritage of the village.

The local guides show you around their village and show you how they use the natural geothermal resources to cook, bathe and heat their homes.

You will witness the preparation of Hāngi meals in the in-ground steam boxes and how they cook corn in the bubbling water of the geothermal hot pools (the corn is also available to buy).

If you have time and want more of a look around then there are 3 self-guided walks you can take. You can see the Pohutu Geyser which erupts up to 30m every 45-60 minutes as well as Te Tohu Geyser. This one erupts up to 7m high also every 45-60 minutes. The Blueys (pictured below) is about 3m deep and has a temperature of between 18-24 degrees Celcius. It is fed by the geysers and a favourite swimming spot for the local children.

The tours are about an hour-long but I would allow two hours at the absolute minimum to see the cultural show and revisit some sites.

Read more in our in-depth Whakarewarewa Village review.

Ōkere Falls

No visit to Rotorua is complete without exploring the stunning Ōkere Falls, a hidden spot combining natural beauty with thrilling outdoor adventures. Whether you’re looking to dive into nature or simply relax by the cascading waters, this must-visit spot showcases the best of Rotorua’s diverse scenery. Dive into our Okere Falls full guide to learn about what makes it a top destination in the region!

White Water Rafting

For some adrenalin pumped adventure, why not try the Kaituna River – Grade 5 white water rafting. Warm water, outstanding scenery, heart-pumping rapids, and world-class guides – white water rafting in New Zealand doesn’t get any better than this.

Rotorua Rafting offers the best white water rafting on the Kaituna River. Ranked #1 on Trip Advisor.

See Prices & Availability Direct with Rotorua Rafting Here.

Ōkere Zip Line

Experience 2 hours of zip line fun that will have you soaring above three waterfalls on a total of 4 ziplines, one swing bridge, and all over one of the most popular white water rafting rivers in NZ, the Kaituna River. 

Interacting within a forest on a series of boardwalks, sipping on ancient teas and becoming a part of our reforestation mission. Guided by two passionate locals you will fall in love with the best part of Aotearoa – Okere Falls!!

See Prices & Availability Direct with Rotorua Ziplines Here.

Or why not combine the two? The ultimate combo, Zip and Raft over the Kaituna River.

Rotorua Town Centre and Government Gardens

The remainder of the afternoon can be used exploring the main centre of Rotorua. It’s pretty quaint with historic buildings and there are some nice shops to buy souvenirs.

Government Gardens

Take a leisurely stroll through the beautifully manicured grounds of the Government Gardens, which are steeped in history. The gardens were gifted to the city by the local Maori tribe, Ngāti Whakaue, and feature a blend of traditional Maori and English garden design.

As you explore, you’ll come across several significant landmarks, including the Arawa Soldiers Memorial and the ornate band rotunda.

Blue Baths

This beautiful Art Deco building can be found in Government Gardens. It was opened in 1933 and has been restored to its original condition.

You are able to pay to use the Blue Bath pools which are geothermally heated. The original Juvenile pool sits at around 30 Celcius and the soak pools are between 37 and 42 C. I would advise calling ahead though as they are often booked out for weddings and private functions.

Rotorua Museum

Unfortunately, due to the earthquake in November 2016, the museum is closed. It caused significant damage and the building has been found to fall well below the earthquake safety standards. You can find more information on opening dates on the Rotorua Museum website.

However, you can still view the outside of the building and the beautiful gardens.

Rotorua Lakefront

We just took a drive down to the lake to have a look. There are plenty of activities on the lake if you wanted to spend longer here or you had another day in Rotorua.

Evening: Maori Cultural Experience at Tamaki Maori Village or Mitai Maori Village

Cap off your day in Rotorua with an unforgettable Maori cultural experience. Both Tamaki Maori Village and Mitai Maori Village offer immersive evenings filled with traditional Maori performances, storytelling, and a feast known as a hangi.

• At Tamaki Maori Village, you’ll be welcomed into a recreated Maori village where you can learn about Maori traditions, watch warriors perform the powerful haka, and enjoy a hangi meal cooked in the earth. The interactive nature of the experience makes it both educational and entertaining.
• Mitai Maori Village offers a similar experience, with the added bonus of a cultural show that includes a canoe (waka) paddled by warriors on a stream, showcasing ancient Maori river navigation techniques. The evening concludes with a delicious hangi dinner and the opportunity to engage with local Maori hosts.

Day Three

Huka Falls

Head out of Rotorua towards Lake Taupo to Huka Falls.

The Falls are on New Zealand’s longest river, Waikato River. Just before Huka Falls, the river narrows from 100m wide to a shallow ravine of volcanic rock. This causes the water to roar through before crashing over the falls. About 200,000 litres of water flow every second over the nine-meter drop.

The car park is on Huka Falls Road which also has toilets. From here, it’s a 5-minute walk to the lookouts. When you cross the bridge over the river, turn left for more viewpoints of the falls. The colour of the water is stunning with bright blue turquoise and emerald green mixed together. It’s a great contrast to the white foam.

To get up close to the falls, you have a choice of the cruise or jet boat ride. We chose the cruise which you can read about in our Huka Falls Cruise Review. This post also tells you how to see the Aratiatia Dam gate opening.

Lake Taupo

Lake Taupo is the largest lake by surface area in New Zealand at 616 sq km. Its perimeter is close to 200km and was formed nearly 2,000 years ago by the eruption of a volcano.

There is plenty to keep you occupied with fishing, water skiing, and sailing being popular choices. It is also a favourite swimming and picnic spot for the locals in summer.

Blue Lake & Green Lake

On the way back to Rotorua, stop and have a look at these two lakes. The Māori names are Lake Tikitapu and Lake Rotokakahi.

Lake Tikitapu is named as the place where the daughter of a high born chief lost her sacred greenstone necklace (Tikitapu). It was formed about 13,500 years ago and is blue due to the reflection from white rhyolite and pumice bottom.

Lake Rotokakahi is named lake of the shellfish (kakahi) and was formed roughly 13,300 years ago. The green colour is due to the sandy shallow bottom. This lake is privately owned and sacred.

There’s a viewpoint off Tarawera Road where you can see both lakes and compare the colours of the two.

There is also a walking trail around Blue Lake.

Other popular things to do in or near Rotorua

We didn’t have time to include any other activities but there are lots more to choose from if you have extra time.

Polynesian Spa

The most famous spa in New Zealand has geothermal hot water from two natural springs. There are plenty of pools and packages to choose from, like these spa packages.

Hells Gate

At Hells Gate you can take a walk through the geothermal landscape and then have a mud bath. The mud bath is claimed to have healing properties as well as therapeutic. Buy tickets with Get Your Guide for instant confirmation and free cancellation up to 24 hours prior.

Waikite Valley Thermal Pools

This isn’t far from Wai O Tapu so you could add this into your day there. It’s the largest single source of 100% pure geothermal water in New Zealand. Again, there is plenty to do here with the thermal pools being the main attraction.

Kuirau Park

You can find this park in the centre of Rotorua. Follow the walkways for views of mud pools, bubbling lakes and other geothermal activity. There are also mineral foot pools that you can dip your feet in for free.

Along with a playground and paddling pool, it makes a perfect choice for families with young children. It is here that you will find the Saturday Markets every Saturday morning from 7 am to 1 pm.

Rainbow Springs Nature Park

This is pretty much an all-day attraction or can be. There are different passes to buy depending on how much or how little you want to do. Some of the fun things to do include a kiwi hatchery tour, a Taonga Experience, the Big Splash Ride and a guided park tour.

Read more here.

Rotorua Night Market

If you’re looking for something to do at night or somewhere to eat, check out the Rotorua night markets. They are open Thursday evenings from 5 pm to 9 pm (weather permitting) in Tutanekai Street (between Haupapa and Hinemoa Streets).

Where to stay in Rotorua

We stayed at The Best Western, just outside the CBD and opposite Skyline. It was perfect for our family as the accommodation was self-contained, had 2 bedrooms and a kitchen. It even had an outdoor spa for your own private use.