Your exploration of Rotorua begins with a stay in nature-inspired accommodation, where you can wake up to birdsong and breathtaking scenery. Check out Jack’s Hut and Ponga Lodge Safari Tent. Both options are off-grid hideaways for two tucked away in the hills overlooking Lake Tarawera. It is here where rustic meets modern touches and offers peace, privacy, and a true sense of escape, especially while soaking in the outdoor tubs.
Morning: Start your adventure at Waikite Valley Hotpools, where steaming mineral-rich waters flow directly from Te Manaroa Spring, the largest single source of pure geothermal water in New Zealand. First explore the Te Manaroa Eco-Trail, a short, scenic track leading to the stunning source of the thermal waters. Then ease into the day in the serene, naturally heated pools.
Afternoon: Continue your geothermal journey with a visit to nearby Waimangu Volcanic Valley, one of Rotorua’s most awe-inspiring landscapes featuring bubbling craters, steaming lakes, and the world's youngest geothermal valley, formed by the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886. Optional: Take a boat cruise on Lake Rotomahana to see geothermal features only accessible by water.
Evening: Before returning to your lodge for a well-earned rest, refuel with a hearty dinner with famous curly fries at Pig & Whistle Historic Pub.
Morning: After a relaxed breakfast, set off for Lake Rotoiti, where today’s adventure is all about exploring by water.
Board the Rotoiti Water Shuttle or Katoa Jet for a scenic ride across the lake to Manupirua Springs Hot Pools, one of Rotorua’s most hidden geothermal gems. Accessible only by boat – or Volcanic Air’s float plane tour – these natural lakeside pools have been a locals’ secret for generations. Soak in the geothermally heated water, take a cool dip in the lake, and relax in one of the most unique settings in New Zealand.
Lunch: Head back to the other side of the lake and stop in at Okere Falls Store, a Rotorua institution known for its organic, locally sourced food. This eco-conscious café serves up delicious wholesome dishes, fresh smoothies, and specialty coffee, all in a relaxed, rustic setting.
Afternoon: Spend the afternoon exploring the Okere Falls Trail, which winds along the Kaituna River, offering stunning waterfall views, native bush, and opportunities to spot kayakers tackling the whitewater rapids.
Evening: Wrap up your exploration-filled getaway with one last quiet moment at your lodgings, perhaps with a glass of wine on the deck or a final soak under the stars, the perfect way to reflect on a weekend of adventure and discovery.
Before you leave Rotorua, take one last scenic walk through Whakarewarewa Forest, or stop at the lakefront to enjoy the peaceful morning light over Lake Rotorua.
