Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s busiest tourist destinations thanks to its lively geothermal activity, combined with strong Māori history, adventure and cultural tourism. But there are some cool free things to do in Rotorua too.
Here are the top free sites and activities, plus tips for where to eat, stay and park with a motorhome in Rotorua.
- About Rotorua
- Best time to visit?
- Getting there
- Getting around in Rotorua
- FREE THINGS TO DO IN ROTORUA
Kuirau Park
Whakarewarewa Redwoods Forest
Lake Rotorua
Government Gardens
Sulphur Point
Okere Falls - Where to eat
- Where to stay
- Motorhome parking
About Rotorua
Rotorua is a city in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand’s North Island. It is sited on the southern shores of Lake Rotorua, from which it takes its name.
For travellers from around the world, Rotorua is most famous for its rich Māori culture and geothermal activities as well as the chance to experience some of New Zealand’s famous adventure activities.
What is the best time of year to visit Rotorua?
New Zealand has four weather seasons:
- Summer (Dec – Feb)
- Autumn/Fall (Mar – May)
- Winter (Jun – Aug)
- Spring (Sep – Nov)
The weather from November through to March is the driest and warmest in the north island. This is the best time of year for most of the things to do in Rotorua.
Though lots of the outdoor activities are fine year-round and there are plenty of things to do in Rotorua on a rainy day!
Do note that the summer months are also the peak season for tourism in New Zealand and for some attractions and activities you will need to book in advance.
The popular activities and accommodations can fill up quickly especially during the New Zealand school holidays.
- Read about Travel In The South Island By Campervan and what to expect from New Zealand in winter.
Getting there
Rotorua is well connected with other North Island and New Zealand destinations by road and air.
By road Rotorua is a three hour drive from Auckland. The scenery and landscapes are beautiful through the Waikato region to the Bay of Plenty.
- Auckland to Rotorua: 2h 39m (226 km)
- Taupo to Rotorua: 1h 7m (79.6 km)
You can stop in and see the incredibly beautiful Putaruru Blue Springs in the South Waikato just off the road between Auckland and Rotorua.
- Read about visiting the Putaruru Blue Springs.
Or the Rotorua Regional Airport is only a 10 minute drive from the centre of town.
Getting around in Rotorua
Once you are in Rotorua, the best way to get around is to self-drive by rental car.
Most of the sites in Rotorua and the surrounding area require a vehicle to get to. The lakefront reserve and Kuirau Park are within walking distance in the centre of the city.
How long do you need in Rotorua?
Two days in Rotorua is the perfect amount of time for first-time visitors.
With two nights in Rotorua and two days you have time to experience the geothermal landscapes, take a bush walk in nature and learn about Māori culture.
Free things to do in Rotorua, New Zealand
The following are nine great free things to do in Rotorua.
1. Kuirau Park – Free things to do in Rotorua
Kuirau Park is a public park and green space in the centre of town.
The park has an abundance of natural geothermal activity with mud pools and boiling lakes in a beautiful, public space. It is one of the few places in the city you can see the geothermal activity of Rotorua – for free!
There are playgrounds, picnic tables and BBQs in the park.
We go for a wander in Kuirau Park every time we visit.
- Tip: Kuirau Park is free to visit and located within an easy walk from the city centre, just off Pukuatua and Ranolf streets with free parking.
2. Kuirau Park Footbaths
Within Kuirau Park, one of the best free activities in Rotorua is the chance to try out the Kuirau Park Footbaths. This is a great place to test the geothermal waters of Rotorua with a public foot pool!
There are two covered foot pools and one uncovered pool. These are naturally heated foot baths, warmed by the thermal activity of Rotorua happening under the ground!
- Tip: Take a towel to sit on as the wooden seats around the pools do get very wet.
3. Kuirau Park Market
Beyond the footbaths, in the centre of Kuirau Park is a regular market held weekly on a Saturday morning.
Albeit this isn’t exactly free. But it is free for a wander on a Saturday morning!
The Kuirau Park Market is run by volunteers from the Rotorua North Rotary Club with the proceeds going to local charities and community projects.
There is a wide variety of food, coffee, cake, honey, fruit, plants, vegetables and crafts available for sale.
- Open: Every Saturday, 7am – 1pm (excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and ANZAC Day).
4. Whakarewarewa Redwoods Forest
The walking trails in the Redwoods Forest is another of the cool free things to do in Rotorua.
New Zealand is renowned globally for amazing walking trails. Here in Rotorua, there are some beautiful free walking tracks through the beautiful Redwoods Forest.
There are multiple walking and mountain bike tracks of differing lengths in the forest.
We really enjoyed the Redwood Memorial Grove Track (Red Track) which is just 2km and extends to the Waitawa Walk (Blue Track) for 3.4km return.
The Whakarewarewa Forest Redwoods walking trails all start at the Redwoods iSite Information Centre.
- Location: Whakarewarewa Redwoods Forest.
5. Lake Rotorua
The famous Lake Rotorua is the largest of the districts 16 lakes. It is originally a spent volcano.
There are various boat tours and jet boat rides on the lake. But right around the city waterfront area there is a beautiful walking promenade right on the edge of the lake.
6. Waterfront Playground – Free things to do in Rotorua
A highlight of the free things to do in Rotorua with kids is a walk around the lakefront boardwalk. But the best part is the huge waterfront playground.
This playground is massive! It is a popular place for local families and visitors.
7. Government Gardens – Free things to do in Rotorua
Government Gardens is a public park laid out with gardens, along the edge of Lake Rotorua. It is just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre.
The Māori Iwi (local tribe) historically gave 50 acres of the land to the British Crown, and it became the Government Gardens.
Today the Government Gardens is another great place to get some fresh air while stretching your legs.
- Location: Queens Drive, Government Gardens
8. Sulphur Point – Free things to do in Rotorua
Sulphur Point and the Sulphur Bay Wildlife Refuge is FREE to explore and within walking distance from the city centre. It is located just behind the Government Gardens.
There is a boardwalk right around the Wildlife Refuge with a roughly two-hours walking track. Or you can join in to the boardwalk at various points and see the boiling mud, magnificent steam vents and naturally bubbling hot water pools.
This part of Rotorua is home to an array of bird species, including the nationally threatened New Zealand dabchick, banded dotterel, and black-billed gull.
- Tip: The complete path, which takes roughly two hours to complete, follows the lakeshore to Motutara Point in Sulphur Bay.
9. Okere Falls Bushwalk
This is another of beautiful short bush walk near Rotorua. The Okere Falls bushwalk has multiple options of short walks that are under an hour.
The trail is a well-formed bushwalk with scenic lookouts over Okere River and its spectacular waterfalls.
We parked off Trout Pool Road and did the 30-minute walk to the Trout Pools and viewing platform. On the way back there is the option for a different 30-minute track past the caves and Hinemoa’s Steps with another (epic) viewing platform.
You can watch rafters sweep down over the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world!
There are numerous information panels along the track, describing the human and natural landscape.
- Location: The Okere Falls track is located 21 km from Rotorua on Trout Pool Road off SH 33 (the Rotorua to Tauranga highway).
Where to eat in Rotorua
‘Eat Street’ is Rotorua’s main dining hub. The street is packed full of restaurants and bars with all offering al fresco dining in the one stretch of options.
You will find Eat Street at the lake end of Tutanekai Street which leads onwards towards the lakefront boardwalk, park area and playgrounds.
There are plenty of options to choose from with everything from pub fare and steaks to tapas, Indian, Italian, Thai and much more.
Accommodation and where to stay in Rotorua
There is a great range of accommodation in Rotorua and close to the lakefront and main town area.
We loved our stay at Rydges Rotorua! The hotel location is amazing with stunning views over the thermal valley.
- Rydges Rotorua
This is a great pick for families with a swimming pool and hot tubs, kids Play Zone. The in-house restaurant has a delicious buffet dinner and breakfast.
- Gemini Lodge
Chalets with multiple bedrooms well set up for families.
- Kings on Peace
One of the top reviewed properties on Booking.com.
- JetPark Hotel Rotorua
Another top pick for families with great deals for kids to stay and dine free with a paying adult.
- Fairway Cottages has 2-bedroom apartments just out of town.
Stay overnight in Rotorua with a motorhome
One of the best ways to see New Zealand is by road with a camper van or motorhome.
In Rotorua there are two options as overnight parking is only allowed at the sites listed below.
Free site: Government Gardens Motorhome and Campervan Parking Area
- Location: Hinemoa Street, opposite Polynesian Spa
- Type: Free Site (Council)
- Park4Night: #47400
- Cost: Free
- Facilities: No toilets, showers or water provided
About: Only self-contained campervans/motorhomes permitted to stay overnight. Space for a maximum of 17 campervans or motorhomes. Maximum stay is 2 consecutive nights per calendar month.
Free site: Hamurana Reserve, Lake Rotorua
- Location: Hanurama Reserve
- Type: Free Site (Council)
- Cost: Free
- Facilities: Public toilets available, water tap with drinkable water
Note – Only self-contained campervans/motorhomes permitted to stay overnight.
This is a council-owned space permitted for overnight stay with space for a maximum of 10 camper vans/motorhomes. Maximum stay is 2 consecutive nights per calendar month.
There is a food preparation area (no hot water), barbecue and children’s playground on the nearby reserve.
The spaces to stay overnight with a motorhome in Rotorua have limited spaces are available. Freedom camping is not permitted on any other parks or neighbourhood recreation reserves.
Read more about travel in New Zealand
- Franz Josef Or Fox Glacier?
- Family Friendly Walks In Franz Josef.
- Putaruru Blue Springs South Waikato.
- Wairere Falls Walk Near Matamata.
- 5 Things To Do In Russell Bay Of Islands.
- Visiting Milford Sound In Winter.
- Hooker Valley Track Mt Cook.
- Hiking Roys Peak Track In Wanaka With Kids.
More about travel planning for New Zealand and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, adventure ticket, local tours and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance before embarking on all the great free things to do in Rotorua!