Things to do in Rotorua

In this captivating corner of New Zealand, nature has wonderfully overplayed its hand. Sitting within the evocatively named Pacific Rim of Fire on North Island, Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland; geysers shoot triumphantly into the sky, bubbling pools entice with mineral-packed mud, and natural hot springs abound. Bathe in the sacred waters of Waiotapu, marvel at the daily eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser, or explore the magnificent Waikite Valley, home to the “Living Waters” of the Te Manaroa Spring, the largest single source of pure geothermal water in New Zealand. Here, too, is where to learn more about traditional Māori culture, as you try a hangi feast cooked in the ground, or take a tour of an authentic, pre-European village. Get ready to enter a magical region of steaming pools, fumaroles, mountains, rivers, and freshwater lakes, and dive into a heady adventure discovering the best geothermal experiences in Rotorua.

Three days is all it takes for Rotorua, New Zealand, to reveal its most authentic self — a destination packed to the brim with natural drama and a deep-rooted indigenous heritage. The first 24 hours might kick off on the geological stage of Wai-O-Tapu, where Earth's saturated colors narrate eons of history beneath your feet. By the afternoon, you'll trade billowing steam for the warmth of thermal pools. Come twilight, let bioluminescent glowworms illuminate your path in an otherworldly forest trek. And in the days ahead, you'll become a participant in Māori heritage, witness to ancestral war dances and age-old tales. Or you may decide to go airborne among towering redwoods before walking among gurgling geysers in a moonlit dreamscape. No matter how you stack your days, this Rotorua itinerary, tailor-made for the adrenaline-driven and the culture-curious alike, extends an invitation to three days of unyielding wonder. Here's how to spend 72 hours in Rotorua.