Rotorua: Geothermal Features, Redwoods and Māori Culture

Rotorua combines striking geothermal features with forest trails, Māori culture and mineral pools. Experiences range from short walks among Redwood trees to long hikes and mountain bike circuits. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on active days in the forest, geothermal landscapes, cultural experiences or relaxation at a spa.

Forest trails and tours in the Redwoods

The Redwoods has a network of mountain bike and walking trails among giant Redwood trees. Whakarewarewa Forest, also known as the Redwoods, has more than 180 kilometres of mountain bike trails through native and introduced forest. One dedicated circuit is the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop: this 33-kilometre mountain bike trail is mostly a clockwise, one-way route. Walking trails in the forest start at the Redwoods isite, where you can pick up a map of the forest trails.

Walking trails also vary considerably in length and character. The easy Redwood Memorial Grove Track is two kilometres long and crosses a boardwalk over an old thermal pond. The Waitawa Walk covers 3.4 kilometres through the Redwoods and a stand of Douglas firs. For views, the 4.8-kilometre Quarry Lookout Track leads to a lookout over the Redwood Grove, the city of Rotorua and Lake Rotorua, while the 7.5-kilometre Pohaturoa Track leads to a viewpoint over the Whakarewarewa geothermal valley, Rotorua and Lake Rotorua.

The Whakarewarewa Circuit is a longer, full-day hike covering 34 kilometres and taking approximately eight hours. The challenging Tokorangi Pa Track covers 11.5 kilometres through Whakarewarewa Forest to the site of an old Māori pā, a fortified settlement of which nothing remains today. Two shorter combined trails are described for family outings with children: the Mokopuna Trail is 3.6 kilometres long and designed for easy family trips. The family-friendly Puarenga Stream Track combines walking and cycling over 1.7 kilometres; there is a scenic picnic area beside a stream.

Geothermal features, wildlife and Māori culture

At Kuirau Park, you can encounter natural geothermal features: water boils and bubbles, and steam rises. The park is said to be New Zealand’s only free public geothermal park. Trails lead to a crater lake, mud pools, hot springs and a free thermal foot bath. The park also has barbecue areas, picnic tables, a children’s playground and toilets. Entry is free, free parking is available, and the park is within walking distance of Rotorua city centre.

At Sulphur Point, the Rotorua Walking Track offers the chance to observe wildlife and the colourful Sulphur Flats. At Te Puia, the Te-Ra-Guided experience takes you through geysers, bubbling mud pools and native bush. The New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute there is home to carvers and weavers who keep traditional skills alive. Te Ra + Haka includes a traditional Māori cultural performance; the Tuku Iho Trail includes a tasting of sweet corn cooked in natural geothermal hot-water pools. At Te Puia’s Kiwi Conservation Centre, you can see New Zealand’s native kiwi up close.

Mineral pools and local experiences

Polynesian Spa has 28 mineral pools across four areas. Its geothermal water comes from two distinctive springs: acidic Priest Spring is said to soothe muscle tension, while mineral-rich Rachel Spring nourishes the skin. The historic Pavilion Pools are for adults only. There are also family pools with a freshwater swimming area and a water slide. The offerings also include hydrotherapy, geothermal mud wraps, body and facial treatments, and yoga, meditation and sound healing classes. Free parking is available, including an area suitable for motorhomes across the road.

For another taste of local fare, Pātaka Kai Restaurant at Te Puia serves food with views over the geothermal valley. A farmers’ market is held at Kuirau Park every Saturday from 6 am to 1 pm. These different options can help guide your choice of holiday rental or holiday home in Rotorua: forest trails and tours, geothermal experiences, culture, a visit to the market or spa experiences. This lets you plan your trip around the activities that interest you most.

Discover more places

Other places at this destination level include Lake Tarawera, Reporoa, Hamurana, Atiamuri, Mourea, Waikite Valley and Okere Falls.

For the higher-level travel overview: Rotorua District.