Rotorua has something awesome to offer to every type of traveler. If you are a cultural connoisseur, there is no better place to learn the history of the Maoris and experience their hospitality and lifestyle. If you are an adrenaline junkie looking for an ultimate adventure, there are a plethora of activities to entice you to let your heart go wild seeking thrills. For armchair addicts, Rotorua has many quaint and serene corners to bask in the sun while reading a book or listening to awesome music.  For families and kids looking for some fun, there are museums, parks and wildlife sanctuaries to explore. Without more ado, I would like to share with you some of the activities you can try out while you are at Rotorua. 

Walk on treetops or go mountain biking and trekking at the Redwood Forest
The Redwood Forest of Rotorua, also famous as the Whakarewarewa Forest is a vast expanse of native vegetation spread across 56000 hectares of land located at about a 10 mins drive from downtown Rotorua. If you love greenery and wish to spend time exploring the native vegetation and a host of exotic giant trees, this is the place to be at. One of the most popular experiences at the Red Wood Forest is the Redwood Treetop Walk. It is an enthralling experience to walk at a height of 20m on a 700m long walkway built with suspension bridges across the trunks of the giant trees. You can choose to do the tree walk either during the day or during the night. While the walk would be a serene experience amidst the lush greenery during the day, the lighting would make it a magical experience during the nights. If walking on treetops is not your thing, you can choose to trek or go mountain biking along the various forest tracks that pass through continuously evolving topography from dense forests to lake sides and thermal springs.

Learn about the rich Maori culture and partake in a Hangi feast
The Maoris are the indigenous tribes who laid foot on NewZealand over a thousand years ago after an epic voyage from their mythical Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki. Even to the current day, you can see a profound influence of the Maori culture on the Kiwi life. Rotorua is considered the heartland for all things related to Maori and if you are interested to learn about the traditions and rich culture of Maoris, this is the place to be. There are multiple establishments in Rotorua which present a close to a real experience of the Maori way of life while also providing glimpses about their culture and history. A typical Maori cultural experience would start with a traditional welcome accompanied by a customary war dance called Haka performed by the tattooed warriors. This would be followed by some demonstrations of multiple Maori traditions, dances and musical performances. The experience would end with a lavish Hangi Feast where you get to relish food cooked underground using earthen ovens. The Tamaki Maori Village, Mitai Maori Village, Te Puia or the Living Thermal Village of Whakarewarewa are some of the most popular places you can choose to visit to experience Maori culture.

Marvel at the vibrant colors of Nature at the Wai-O-Tapu
Owing to its location in the volcanic valley, Rotorua has many geothermal attractions spread across its topography each one having its own unique charm. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to state that Wai-O-Tapu is the most vibrant and captivating geothermal park in the region. It is located in a sprawling scenic reserve spread across an area of 18 sq km and has 3 walking tracks which respectively take around 45, 60 and 90 minutes to cover. The Lady Knox Geyser, Champagne pool, Sinter terraces, Artist’s palate, and the Devils Bath are the most prominent points of interest at Wai-O Tapu. Entry to Wai-O-Tapu has to be paid for and booking can be made either online or at the ticket counter on arrival.

Take a Stroll amidst smoking fumaroles and fuming lakes at The Hell’s Gate
When the famous Irish playwriter Goerge Bernard Shaw visited the Tikitere region of Rotorua and exclaimed  “this could be the very gates of Hell”, little did he know that the region could be renamed after as the Hell’s Gate. While the region of Hell’s Gate is nowhere as colorful as WaiOTapu, its bleak and monochromatic topography with bubbling mud pools, smoking water puddles and fuming fumaroles is sure to give you an experience of an alien land. The fact that the earth’s crust is very thin in the region and the proximity of the earth’s surface to the heat source renders the region unsafe to roam freely. For the same reason, you will not be allowed to wander off from the designated walkways.

Revive yourselves with a dip in the hot springs or slither in the volcanic mud pools
One activity you should not miss while in Rotorua is to pamper yourself in the salubrious thermal springs, hot pools or mud baths in the region. It is said that the Maori warriors bathed in the mud pools and thermal springs of the region to heal their war wounds and aches. Whether it is just immersing your tired feet in the free foot baths of Kuirau Park park or lavishly indulging in one of the many luxury spa complexes, there is something to cater to everyone’s budget and needs.

Get Adventurous in the Thermal Capital of New Zealand
NewZealand boasts of being first in trying multiple adrenaline-pumping adventures. While Queenstown takes the credit for being World’s home for commercial Bungy, Rotorua claims the honor for inventing Luge ride and zorbing. So, go up a hill in a Gondola to slide down a meandering Luge track on a wooden plank or get into an inflatable ball and roll down a hill while you are in Rotorua.

Head Out of Rotorua on Daytrips to explore other wonders of New Zealand’s North Island 
There are multiple day trips you can take with Rotorua as a base. Visit the Hobbit village at Matamata for a middle earth experience or head towards Waitomo to witness the magic of a million glowworms lighting up underground caves as you wade through silent underground rivers. You can also continue your journey down south along the Thermal Explorer Highway to reach the bustling town of Taupo with a pitstop at Waireki terraces and Huka Falls.