18 Reasons Rotorua Should Be On Your Bucket List

There's more to New Zealand's volcanic capital than just Hobbits. Located in the middle of New Zealand's north island - Rotorua is a 2.5 hour drive south of Auckland.

Year on year both Kiwis and international travellers pass through the 'Sulphur City" - a nickname granted by the smell of rotten egg that lingers throughout the town (don't worry - you get used to it)!

Rotorua literally sits upon geothermal activity which gives the city much of its appeal as a tourist destination. You will find volcanic crater lakes, erupting geysers, hot mud pools and bubbling pits of steam and volcanic activity scattered throughout the entire city. Take our word for it... Rotorua is like nowhere else on this planet!

Still not convinced? Here are 18 Reasons to add Rotorua to your New Zealand bucket list...

1. Lake Rotorua

 

Lake Rotorua - stunning! Photo repost from @tommybates #rotorua #newzealand #nzmustdo #nz @rotoruanz #travel #xbase #lake #blue #instatravel #photoftheday #travel #traveling #wanderlust #travelbug #travelstoke #instago #instapassport #love #free #amazing

A post shared by Base Backpackers (@basebackpackersaunz) on Aug 27, 2015 at 10:38pm PDT

2. Redwoods Forest

 

#redwoodsrotorua #rotorua #newzealand

A post shared by Olivia (@osojdehee) on Nov 14, 2016 at 1:15am PST

3. Mamaku Forest

 

How are you spending your Friday? #rotorua #rotoruanz #rotoruacanopytours #swingbridge #zipline #nzmustdo #newzealand #adventure #mamakuforest #fun

A post shared by Rotorua Canopy Tours (@rotoruacanopytours) on Oct 8, 2015 at 5:01pm PDT

4. Mt Tarawera

 

The view from the top of Mt Tarawera, captured by @kaitiakiadventures #RotoruaNZ #NZmustDo

A post shared by RotoruaNZ (@rotoruanz) on Mar 2, 2015 at 7:42pm PST

5. Hobbiton

 

Another #winterwanderlust photo entry from @sofie.karevi ・・・ I went to Hobbiton last week, it was pretty cool guys! Much excitement! @basebackpackersaunz @olympus_au #Hobbiton #newzeeland #winterwanderlust #KiwiExperience #xbase #nzmustdo #hobbiton #rotorua #newzealand

A post shared by Base Backpackers (@basebackpackersaunz) on Jul 19, 2015 at 11:42pm PDT

6. White Water Rafting at Kaituna River

 

White Water Rafting at Kaituna River @kaitiakiadventures #newzealand #rotorua #nzmustdo #rafting #travel #travelgram #basebackpackers

A post shared by Base Backpackers (@basebackpackersaunz) on Apr 6, 2014 at 8:48pm PDT

7. Bungy Jumping at Agroventures Park

 

Epic day in Rotorua: Bungy, Swoop, Shweeb, Agrojet @agroventures to view my vid: http://youtu.be/fkF-hPVX0C8 #travel #travelgram #newzealand #adventure #adrenalin

A post shared by Base Backpackers (@basebackpackersaunz) on Feb 19, 2014 at 11:16pm PST

8. Zorb

 

Today I was rolled down a hill in a giant inflatable ball filled with water. Zorbing is a must! To check out my vid: http://youtu.be/_JU6h6CByJ0 #rotorua #newzealand #purenz #travel #travelgram #adventure

A post shared by Base Backpackers (@basebackpackersaunz) on Feb 18, 2014 at 7:42pm PST

9. Wai - O - Tapu Geothermal Wonderland

 

La "champagne pool" = mon coup de cœur @waiotapu_wonderland_nz #waiotapu #thermals #nz #nzmustdo #nzmustsee #newzealand #nouvellezelande #nomademag #quebec_travelers #canada_travelers #voyage #travel #agameoftones #vsco #instagood #instadaily #instagram #photooftheday #colors #pool

A post shared by Claudia #NomadeMag (@claudia_nomademag) on May 2, 2017 at 1:30pm PDT

10. And again...

 

The Champagne Pool can be found in Wai O Tapo geothermal & volcanic park in Rotorua #newzealand #travel #travelgram #nature #purenz #colourful #heat

A post shared by Base Backpackers (@basebackpackersaunz) on Feb 18, 2014 at 1:07am PST

11. Te Puia Maori Culture

 

Welcome to Te Puia #tepuia

A post shared by Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ (@te_puia) on Mar 26, 2017 at 2:45am PDT

12. Skyline Gondola

 

Views from Skyline Rotorua #newzealand #rotorua #purenz #travel #travelgram #summer #city #picoftheday #photooftheday #sky

A post shared by Base Backpackers (@basebackpackersaunz) on Feb 20, 2014 at 10:27pm PST

13. Rotorua Museum

 

An essential stop when visiting Rotorua - the award winning Rotorua museum! Courtesy of Fullframe Photography NZmustDO #RotoruaNZ #Beautiful #Rotorua #Museum #PhotoOfTheDay

A post shared by RotoruaNZ (@rotoruanz) on Jun 10, 2015 at 2:50pm PDT

14. World Class Mountain Biking Trails

 

Share your Rotorua experience with us! Tag @rotoruanz, #RotoruaNZ or #NZmustDO if you would like us to share your images. Thanks to @jeffcarter21 of Southstar Shuttles Rotorua for this image!

A post shared by RotoruaNZ (@rotoruanz) on May 21, 2015 at 6:17pm PDT

15. Lady Knox Geyser

 

This lady goes off almost daily. @reedm007 and I stuck around to watch the whole show (most left after a few minutes, but the eruption easily lasted for over an hour!). #geyser #nz #newzealand #volcanic #ladyknoxgeyser

A post shared by Tara Holmes (@taraholmes) on Apr 30, 2017 at 11:02am PDT

16. Eat Street

 

Eat Streat is one of Rotorua’s coolest food hot spots in the city. Shot captured by @hodgeman #RotoruaNZ #NZmustDo

A post shared by RotoruaNZ (@rotoruanz) on Feb 4, 2015 at 5:21pm PST

17. Volcanic Activity EVERYWHERE!

 

Geyser strolls #tepuia

A post shared by Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ (@te_puia) on Feb 16, 2017 at 11:57am PST

Keen to explore Rotorua? Check out some free or cheap things to do in Rotorua.

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