Rotorua is a great place to create memories that you’ll be talking about for years to come.
Travelling with your family is exciting and loads of fun – especially when the best attractions, cafés, restaurants and free things to do are all within easy access (think: less time for backseat feuds!).
Feed the animals and your love for adventure
Who doesn’t love to stop and snuggle actual live giant bunnies on a mini golf course? Or feed furry alpaca, sheep and other farm animals at Rotorua Heritage Farm, or visit the small-animal enclosure at aMAZEme (also a great place to lose the kids for a while!)?
If adventure is at the top of your list, roll downhill in a giant inflatable ZORB, race each other on Luges at Skyline Rotorua, and much more.
Get out into nature
Geothermal parks always leave the kids in awe over the steam, bubbling mud, erupting geysers and colourful lakes that look like they’re straight out of a Dr Seuss book. Several hot pools have family zones for a bit of fun. Whakarewarewa Forest (aka “The Redwoods”) as well 14 of our 18 lakes are free to visit year-round.
Rainy day activities
If the weather isn’t cooperating, Rotorua has a number of activities for rainy day fun. Motion Entertainment has ten-pin bowling, mini golf, trampoline park, laser tag, escape rooms, Chipmunks Playland, and electronic games galore, all under one roof! The 3D Trick Art Gallery and a WWII amphibious duck vehicle tour are also on offer to keep everyone entertained.
Finding accommodation
To find the perfect place to stay in Rotorua for your family, we recommend booking through one of our two Rotorua i-SITE Visitor Information Centres for free and expert advice. Ask about Rotorua's range of family friendly places to stay.
For more inspiration or to help make the most of a long weekend in Rotorua check out this three day itinerary. And remember to sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with the latest news from RotoruaNZ.
Rotorua Library Te Aka Mauri
Family Fun
Come relax with your favorite book or learn something new. There's something for everyone at the local Rotorua Library.
Fancy Meow Cat Café
Family Fun
Fancy Meow Cat Café is New Zealand's only cat café with pure-bred cats and kittens.
Rotorua Aquatic Centre
Family Fun, West
If you are into water sports, water recreation, aqua-fitness or just pure relaxation for yourself or your family & friends, then the Rotorua Aquatic Centre is one of New Zealand's best.
Fish & Game Eastern Region
Family Fun
Fish & Game Eastern Region manages the trout fishery of the region including the world-famous Rotorua lakes.
Horse Trekking Lake Okareka
Family Fun, East
Trek on horseback through 500 acres of native bush and 1,500 acres of working sheep and cattle farm with stunning views of Mount Tarawera and lakes Okareka and Tarawera.
Steaming Cliffs Kayak at Lake Rotomahana
Family Fun, South
Explore the amazing scenery of Lake Rotomahana on this spectacular guided kayaking tour.
Action Bug - Rangitāiki with Riverbug.NZ
Family Fun, South
Try something truly new! This Action Bug tour mixes a Riverbug with generous portions of whitewater in a breathtaking gorge on the Rangitāiki River between Rotorua and Whakatāne. This is an unforgettable experience that's unique to the Bay of Plenty.
Hobbiton Movie Set
Family Fun
For your own Middle-earth adventure, daily tours are available to visit the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy and The Hobbit films.
Rotorua Paddle Tours
Family Fun
Stand-up paddle (SUP) board tours and lessons on Lake Rotorua and surrounding waterways.
Adventure Playground Rotorua - 1-hour 4x4 Self Drive
Family Fun
Adventure Playground is the place to be when visiting Rotorua. Try our new 1-hour 4x4 self drive CanAm Experience, before perhaps some horse trekking, our cultural 4wd buggy tours or claybird shooting. The choice is yours!
Paddle Board Rotorua
Family Fun
Paddle Board Rotorua is Rotorua's premium paddle boarding and kayak experience providers, well known for their paddle board and kayak glow worm tours.