landmark
Rainbow Springs Nature Park
Rotorua nature park showcasing New Zealand's unique wildlife including kiwi in a natural bush setting.
1 km · about 5 min drive
Bay of Plenty, New Zealand · Oceania
Rotorua is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Ohinemutu, 26km from Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua is a town located in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. With a population of 65,901, it is an important destination in Oceania.
On a road trip, Rotorua sits in New Zealand, where you drive on the left. It's in the Pacific/Auckland time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Rotorua to your route.
Rotorua (Māori pronunciation: [ɾɔtɔˈɾʉa] ) is a city in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island, situated on the southern shores of Lake Rotorua, from which it takes its name. It is the seat of the Rotorua Lakes District, a territorial authority encompassing Rotorua and several other nearby towns. ItRead more
has an estimated resident population of 58,500, making it the country's 13th largest urban area, and the Bay of Plenty's second-largest urban area behind Tauranga.
Te Arawa Māori first settled in Rotorua in the 14th century, and a thriving pā was established at Ohinemutu by the people who would become Ngāti Whakaue. The city became closely associated with conflict during the Musket Wars of the 1820s. Ohinemutu was invaded by a Ngāpuhi-led coalition in 1823, commanded by Hongi Hika and Pōmare I. In the 19th century early European settlers had an interest in developing Rotorua, due to its unique geothermal activity and the surrounding area. Then, efforts by Māori and Europeans alike to establish Rotorua as a spa town led to a 99-year lease of land from Ngāti Whakaue to the Government. The city became a major site of tourism due to the Rotorua's close proximity to the Pink and White Terraces, until they were destroyed by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera. Rotorua was elevated to borough status in 1922 and to city status 40 years later.
Rotorua is a major destination for both domestic and international tourists. It is known for its geothermal activity and Māori cultural tourism, and features geysers – notably the Pōhutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa – and hot mud pools. This thermal activity is sourced to the Rotorua Caldera, in which the city lies.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Rotorua.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Rotorua.
Rotorua offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Rotorua with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Rotorua as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Rotorua is located in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, Oceania. The coordinates are -38.1387 latitude, 176.2452 longitude.
Rotorua has a population of approximately 65,901 people, making it a town in New Zealand.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Rotorua as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Rotorua. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
Essential numbers in New Zealand
Many rural bridges are single-lane. Give way as signed.
Full driving guide for New Zealand4 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Rotorua nature park showcasing New Zealand's unique wildlife including kiwi in a natural bush setting.
1 km · about 5 min drive
natural wonder
Surreal geothermal area with the vivid green Devil's Bath, the Champagne Pool, and the Lady Knox Geyser.
26 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
The real-life Shire from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, with 44 hobbit holes set in rolling green Waikato farmland.
57 km · about 65 min drive
waterfall
High-volume cataract where the Waikato River narrows to a 15 m channel, with a car park and footbridge just north of Taupō.
58 km · about 65 min drive
Other places to explore near Rotorua.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning