Things to do in Rotorua while staying at Aria’s Farm
Experience Rotorua Maori Culture
See the bubbling mud pools from Rotorua’s Geothermal activity
Get lost in the beauty of the Redwoods
Natural mud mask in the Hot ‘n Cold hot springs
Zorbing at night on the Winter Solstice
Mud pool at Hell’s Gate
New Zealand is a country full of wonder. It is a land of contrast and extreme beauty – from snow-capped mountains to sun-soaked beaches, dense sub-tropical rainforests to arid grasslands.
Aria’s Farm is in Rotorua, in the centre of the North Island. The city, and its surrounding land, is one of the country’s tourist hotspots.
It boasts world-renowned geysers and boiling hot mudpools, as well as some of the best lakes in the country for fishing.
Based at the southern end of Lake Rotorua with a population of 70,000, the city has so much to offer. The beautiful Whakarewarewa Forest (or “The Redwoods” to the locals) has some amazing walking and mountainbike tracks. Or, you can take a walk around the sacred Blue Lake, or through Kuirau Park to smell the sulphur, feel the mud, and breathe in the steam.
Hosting some of the country’s best tourist attractions, there is something for everyone in Rotorua. Visit baby kiwi at Rainbow Springs, pat a lion at Paradise Valley, or wander through the working Maori village at Whaka.
The adventurous travellers can go white water rafting down the Kaituna River, bungy jumping or Zorbing at the Agrodome, or luge at Skyline Rotorua.
There is always something to do in Rotorua! It is also a great base for day trips to surrounding places like Whakatane, Tauranga, Hamilton and Taupo, all within an hours drive from Rotorua.
Chris and Kerris are more than happy to point you in the right direction of the best places to visit.
FREE STUFF
- Redwood Trails – https://redwoods.co.nz/walk/
- Thermal Kuirau Park (+Saturday Markets) – https://www.rotoruanz.com/things-to-do/family-fun/kuirau-park
- Thurs Foodie Night Market – https://www.facebook.com/rotoruanightmarket/
- The Lakefront Boardwalk – https://www.rotoruanz.com/things-to-do/walking-hiking/rotorua-lakefront
- Sulphur Point Track – https://nzjane.com/rotorua-town-walks-sulphur-bay-boardwalk/
- Historic St Faiths at Ohinemutu – https://www.rotorua-travel-secrets.com/ohinemutu.html
- Free thermal Hotpools
- Kerosene Creek – https://www.rotorua-travel-secrets.com/kerosene-creek-rotorua.html
- Hot ‘n’ Cold – https://www.rotorua-travel-secrets.com/hot-n-cold.html
- Butchers Pool (the safest, easiest access, and cleanest) – https://www.nzhotpools.co.nz/hot-pools/butchers-pool-reporoa/
DISCOUNTS
Use promo code TOP6VIP to get 10% off any of the Top 6 events
- Canopy Tours www.canopytours.co.nz
- Secret Spot Hot Tubs https://secretspot.nz/
- ZORB www.zorb.com
- Te Pa Tu https://te-pa-tu.com/
SOUVENIRS
- Maori Carvings
- Local Carver – https://piikiwhara.com/collections/all (you’ll need to request a free gate pass to the village to access him)
- https://whakarewarewa.com/
- Commercial Carvings at Puawai – https://www.puawaijade.nz/
- Mountain Jade
- https://www.mountainjade.co.nz/pages/our-artists
- Amazing artist named Lewis at https://rakaijade.co.nz/
- High End Carvings at the Carvings Institute – https://ecommerce.tepuia.com/%C4%81hua-gallery
INDOOR ACTIVITIES
If your stay coincides with RAIN, there is still heaps to do undercover including:
NEWEST ATTRACTIONS
Newly opened in 2025 is www.3mirage.com which is an interactive indoor light show, fantastic for kids and adults alike. Great reviews.
Best mountainbiking in the world at Waipa, for bike hire see Ezra at https://www.mtbrotorua.co.nz/ and for a free foot soak afterwards if you buy a coffee at www.secretspot.nz
Thermal day activities at www.tepuia.com, www.waimangu.co.nz, https://www.waiotapu.co.nz/, or www.hellsgate.co.nz for a hot spa/mud peel.
The Zorb/OGO https://zorb.com/ now on a high/longer hill and way cheaper for groups! PS you do NOT do somersaults or get dizzy, you remain upright at all times, and up to 3 of you can ride together.
The jetboat ride right here on Lake Rotorua is fantastic https://www.katoalakerotorua.co.nz/
Must-Do’s at Redwoods Night walk https://www.treewalk.co.nz/the-walk/redwoods-nightlights/, the gondolas and luge www.skylineskyrides.co.nz which has rides for the whole family and/or dinner over the city by dark, and www.agrodome.co.nz which is a crack-up of a farm comedy show, but also has amazing action like the jetboats, bungy, freefall, and swoop.
Nature and walks at www.buriedvillage.co.nz, www.paradisev.co.nz, and https://www.hamurana.co.nz/ .
Hangi Feasts & Cultural Shows at www.tepuia.com for ‘Te Po’ experience with geyser visit, show & dinner ($252), www.mitai.co.nz including dinner, show and canoe demonstration ($160) or Tamaki village https://te-pa-tu.com/ with interactive forest village, show and classy dinner ($260).
Indoors – we have the 3D Trick Art Gallery http://www.3dtrickart.co.nz/ . Basically you insert yourself into the murals on the walls, and when you take a picture, it looks like you are part of the painting!
As Rotorua is so central, you can also take day trips to many other surrounding attractions like Lord of the Rings set: http://www.hobbitontours.com/, www.waitomo.com, www.kaitunacascades.co.nz, and Tongariro Crossing or Skiing at www.mtruapehu.com.