Māori cultural experience: Learn, interact, dine and more with one of the guided tours offered in Rotorua. At night the forest glows as lanterns lead the way. Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights: A chance to explore amongst the treetops in this elevated experience of skinny wooden bridges leading to higher heights. Kerosene Creek: Go for a dip in this natural hot spring, located outside of town, with its only thermal waterfall. Lake Okareka boardwalk: One of the many lakes in the area and only a short drive from town, this walk through the wetlands is easy for all ages and ideal for any bird lover. Whakarewarewa Forest: Also known as the Redwood Forest, this expansive woodland towering with California Redwoods offers numerous walking trails, perfect to explore on a hot day. Insider tip: Visit during golden hour to catch the light penetrating through the steam. Located smack dab in the middle of the city, Kuirau Park is bubbling away with volcanic steam creating crazy cool photo ops along wooden boardwalks. Kuirau Park: This is not your average city park. Here are my must-sees/dos for your stop in Rotorua on your North Island tour, split into free and paid activities. A few years back we got to work with Rotorua’s Tourism Board, checking out their top instagramable spots. Yes, this does make Rotorua a bit stinky, a bit like rotting eggs, but don’t let that turn you away. This lakeside town is just an hour inland from the Mount and it is teeming with extreme sports tours, cultural experiences, and of course what it’s known for, crazy cool geothermal activity. If Queenstown is the South Island’s adventure capital, Rotorua is the North’s. If you need an airport hotel, there are a few average ones nearby with free shuttles to the terminals (we stayed at Heartland Hotel and they let us check out super late as we arrived at 2:30am which was very appreciated). You’ll find a mix of hostels and high-end hotels in the CBD so it’s worth checking out both Airbnb and to find the right place for you. We’ve stayed in cheap hotels off K-Road, perfect if you like walking across the city and want to experience the nightlife. If you have a car, I don’t suggest staying in the CBD area, but choose a suburb like Ponsonby, great for foodies, Mount Eden, ‘burb vibes with more green space, or Parnell/Newmarket for a more upscale, trendy experience. Whangārei - two hours north, stop by Waipu Caves for glow worms, find waterfalls and beautiful coastlines.Ĭhoosing where to sleep in Auckland is all dependent on your plans. Piha Beach - stunning drive through the Waitakere Ranges to this stunning black sand beach Waiheke Island - wine lovers paradise (day trip via ferry or stay on the island) Head to the northern beaches like Takapuna for a swim. Hike up Mount Eden to watch the sunset over the city. Go for a stroll, shop or grab a bite to eat around the Viaduct Harbour/CBD area
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