Year-round enjoyment in Rotorua

HOT WATER BEACH: Explore Te Rata Bay (Hot Water Beach) which can be reached via the 15km Tarawera Walking Trail. Once there, create a sandy hole and park your derriere in your own DIY bathtub.

DAREDEVIL ANTICS: Try ziplining at great heights through ancient native forest with Rotorua Canopy Tours, or head to Velocity Valley for 40-metre-high, nose-diving swings, the city's only bungy jump and much more.

RAINY DAYS: Test your logic and attention to detail at ROTOFOBIA. Three escape rooms await your quick thinking and wisdom. Kids will have a blast playing indoor laser tag, tenpin bowling and video games at Motion Entertainment, and the 3D Trick Art Gallery will confuse your mind with fun and inventive illusions.

WHAKAREWAREWA FOREST is celebrated for its walking tracks and magnificent spread of towering Californian redwood trees. It is also one of the most established mountain bike networks in New Zealand and well regarded for its whopping 180km of trails. There are Grade 1-5 tracks which all loop around two central points: the Waipa car park and the visitors centre at The Redwoods.

THE REDWOODS: Climb 12 metres into the treetops at the Redwoods Treewalk in Whakarewarewa Forest. This elevated walkway weaves through giant trees via 23 suspension bridges. From dusk onwards, the lights at Redwoods Treewalk switch on for the enchanting ‘Redwoods Nightlights’, allowing the forest to dance with dreamy silhouettes and magical lanterns.

DUCK TOURS: We bet you've never been on a tour like this before. Utilising Amphibious WWII landing crafts, your sightseeing vehicle starts on the road but quickly transforms into a sailing vessel upon entering the lake.

FREE THRILLS: Centrally located Kuirau Park is a volcanic area that you can explore for free. With hissing ponds and clouds of steam, occasional mood swings cause hot mud to be spat over the grass.

Waimangu Valley

Destination Rotorua

4 PLACES TO FIND A GOOD GURGLING SPOT

1. TE PUIA

The Pohutu Geyser is the southern hemisphere's largest active geyser and erupts up to 20 times per day, reaching heights of 30 metres. This 60ha geothermal valley hosts over 500 geothermal wonders, mixed with Māori culture and Māori performances.

2. HELLS GATE

One of New Zealand's most active geothermal fields, discover the largest hot waterfall in the southern hemisphere and then soak in skin smoothing mud at the spa.

3. WAIMANGU VALLEY

Hike your way around steaming cliffs, volcanic craters and mini geysers in the world's youngest geothermal valley.

4. WAI-O-TAPU

Arguably the most famous thermal park in Rotorua, Champagne Pools are widely recognised for their bright orange crust, while Lady Knox Geyser blows its lid every day at 10.15am.

Wai-O-Tapu © Getty

ABOVE MAIN IMAGE: Te Puia Geothermal Valley © Destination Rotorua

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