Rotorua

Rotorua Regional Information

The city of Rotorua has a population of around 52,000 and is located on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua within the Bay of Plenty region.

The city was one of the first true centres for tourism in New Zealand, attracting visitors more than 100 years ago. The district's attractions are based on the geothermal features and lakes which are a result of continuing volcanic activity in the region. Around 1,800 years ago, an eruption occurred which created what is today Lake Taupo, and as recently as 1886, the Tarawera eruption claimed lives, formed the Waimangu Volcanic Valley and buried the Maori village of Te Wairoa. Today, visitors can witness the aftermath of this eruption at Te Wairoa, the Buried Village, where the village's ruins have been excavated and displayed. There are many other sites at which geothermal activity such as boiling mud pools, spouting geysers and hot geothermal springs can be seen.

Rotorua also has a cultural focus, with a strong Maori presence that is shared with visitors. There are opportunities to visit Maori marae or meeting grounds, watch cultural performances featuring traditional song and dance, or take part in a hangi feast at which the food is cooked in an underground oven.

For an overview of the geothermal, cultural and historical forces that have shaped the Rotorua district, the Rotorua Museum provides an informative range of exhibits. The museum complex contains the historic Blue Baths which were opened in 1933 as the Southern Hemisphere's first mixed-sex hot spa bathing venue, located in a grand Art Deco style building. Adjacent to the museum are the Government Gardens, planted in the 1890's in a precise Edwardian style. The gardens contain flower beds, a glasshouse, formal garden, rose garden and water features.

For those with a passion for fishing, the Rotorua region provides an excellent trout fishing destination. Local guides are knowledgeable and will guide novices to the best locations. The lakes, which have been created by volcanic eruptions, are home to a plentiful supply of Rainbow Trout.

Navigate with our great Rotorua map to stay on the right track and find what you're looking for when traveling in the region. While you're on the road, be prepared for all seasons with weather forecasts, reports and current information on Rotorua weather.

More information on Rotorua and its attractions can be found on the official visitor information site.