The Best Day Trips from Rotorua

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Top Single Day Trips from Rotorua

Standout day trip destinations within easy reach of Rotorua include:

1. Whakatane and White Island

Distance from Rotorua: 1.5 hour drive (one-way)

Why go?: Incredible, moon-like volcanic environment; an experience wholly unique to New Zealand; option to explore by air or by sea/foot

In terms of essential itinerary items, there are few that should rank as highly on the list for those visiting the greater Rotorua region than the dramatic Whakaari/White Island. Located 48km off the coast of the NZ mainland within the waters of the Bay of Plenty, this craterous, still-active marine volcano is one of New Zealand's most unique environments that's actually accessible to the public.

There are few other places on earth that allow visitors to walk on the surface of such a turbulent terrain, and White Island is a concentration of sulphurous vents, boiling mud lakes and spewing gases that make for one of New Zealand's most memorable; there's a reason we ranked it #2 on our Ultimate New Zealand Bucket List of must-do experiences.

Getting there: The town of Whakatane serves as the launching point for adventures to White Island, which can be done in two forms: by sea, or by air. Self-driving to Whakatane from Rotorua takes around 1.5 hours, following a road route that also provides some excellent scenery along the way that passengers will no doubt appreciate.

By Sea

The seaborne option is conducted by operator White Island Tours out of from Whakatane's Strand East, and typically require a time investment of between 5 and 6 hours depending on a combination of weather, sea conditions and volcanic activity. Riding the boat from the mainland to White Island takes around 80 minutes, and serves as a veritable sightseeing cruise in and of itself, with the waters of the Bay of Plenty rich in marine life and offering the chance to spot the likes of dolphins and whales when travelling in season.

Once on the island, participants have the chance to walk on White Island itself for just over an hour for an up-close look at the marine volcano in action. Hard hats are donned for safety while gas masks are provided to ease the impact of fumes and gases, and the walk is overseen with a complete emphasis on safety and proper precautions. The cruise to the island and back is conducted on a spacious and comfortable vessel, and if the crossing is rough, sea sickness pills and customer care go a long way to easing any discomfort.

By Air

Those short on time - or wanting the ultimate views of White Island from above - can instead opt for a stunning (yet more expensive) scenic flight that provides an aerial aspect on the island's unique structure. Your choice of operators and flight itinerary will ultimately depend on your departure point and preferred tour; those looking to fly directly to White Island from Rotorua can join operator Volcanic Air on a scenic flight that departs from Rotorua's Lakefront, lasting between 2.5 and 3 hours in total, with a landing and walk on White Island proper.

There are few other places on earth that allow visitors to walk on the surface of such a turbulent terrain

Alternatively, those looking to self-drive to Whakatane and then fly out to White Island for a birds eye-only view can opt for a tour with White Island Flights, who provide briefer and more budget-conscious 1-hour flights above the island before returning to Whakatane.

What to do in Whakatane:

Whakatane itself is a pleasant town renowned for both its excellent, sunny weather and being home to one of New Zealand's greatest beaches: Ohope, which sits just a 10-minute drive outside town. It's gorgeous, clean, and offered sheltered swimming conditions, and offers views all the way out to White Island on clear days.

Elsewhere, visitors to Whakatane can stroll upon the seaside Warren Cole Walkway, take a dolphin or seal tour to see aquatic life, or get an in-depth dose of history at the Whakatane Museum before heading back to Rotorua.

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2. Waitomo Caves

Distance from Rotorua: 2 hour drive (one-way)

Why go?: Magical cavern akin to a glowing galaxy; nature-built cave network interesting in itself; chance to absorb local history as well

Long one of the most recognisable scenes among New Zealand's many unique natural phenomena, the glittering and glowing spectacle of Waitomo's "Glowworm Grotto" looks akin to something out of a fairytale. Having served as a tourist attraction dating all the way back to the late 1800's when it became open to travellers, the caves and their thousands of tiny residents have enthralled countless visitors who have glided silently underneath them.

Waitomo's cave network is the main reason the little township of Waitomo exists at all, and its range of natural stalactite and stalagmite formations are worth exploring in their own right - with the glowworms the icing on the proverbial cake. Even if you have visited other cave systems elsewhere in the world, Waitomo's natural light show makes it a must-do experience that's within manageable distance from Rotorua.

Getting there: Waitomo Caves lie around 2 hours' drive from Rotorua proper, travelling along a state highway before splitting off along regional roads, with a route that is quite manageable for self-drivers and relatively easy to access. The Caves' high level of popularity has also resulted in the creation of guided tours with transfers to and from Rotorua with companies such as GreatSights, conducted on board luxury coaches that offer some informative commentary on highlights along the way.

Waitomo's natural light-show that makes it a must-experience that's within manageable reach from Rotorua

Once at Waitomo, guided tours of the caves are offered on an every-half-hour basis, every day of the week; as a result, you'll likely be able to get a spot when ensuring making a booking sufficiently in advance. The tour of the caves is conducted in two separate "segments" - a guided overview of the caves themselves with a Maori guide, followed by a serene boat trip on the underground lake that passes under the Glow Worm Grotto to cap things off.

The tour itself takes around 45 minutes in total, after which self-drivers can take extra time to explore the area's highlights, or those on an itinerary will be returned to Rotorua.

What else to do at Waitomo:

If you're making the return trip to Waitomo, given that the actual glow worm portion of the trip only takes around 1 hour, you're looking at a 4-hour return journey in return for the time investment. Possibilities to maximise your time while in the region include making the 30km drive to the gorgeous, cascading Marokopa Falls; doing the short Mangapohue Natural Bridge walk 25km from town; or exploring further cave networks at Piripiri, depending on how full a day you're willing to devote.

For the more adventurous traveller, Waitomo Caves can also be explored on a subterranean "Blackwater Rafting" experience with The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co., who offer several different itineraries to navigate the Ruakuri Cave section of the cave network. The Ruakuri can also be done as a "dry cave" experience that is entirely wheelchair-accessible, too, making for a great all-around tour to augment a trip to the region.

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3. Hobbiton

Distance from Rotorua: 1 hour drive (one-way)

Why go?: Excellently created example of fantasy world come to life; rolling, verdant NZ landscape; a must for film fans

The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit series of films have gone a long way to putting New Zealand more prominently on the international map in recent years, and the greatest standing bastion of the movies for travellers to experience is the Hobbiton Movie Set at Matamata. It's an impeccably crafted emulation of a fantasy world that shows remarkable attention to detail, and as a result, Hobbiton is an attraction that Lord of the Rings fanatics will fawn over, while non-fans can still appreciate due to its atmosphere and sheer skill.

The set is dotted with Hobbit holes engraved into the rolling New Zealand hillside that is set up to look exactly like their furry-footed residents have only just left; knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides take visitors on the set to visit each and explain both their mechanics and involvement. It's an insight into both the movie-making and regional history that couples with the whimsical atmosphere of the place to make for an enjoyable all-around experience - one that's capped off with a complimentary mug of ale in the Green Dragon Inn.

Getting there: Matamata and the set itself are just under a one-hour drive from Rotorua; those planning to visit can either self-drive to Matamata and then pay for a set tour, or book one of two daily tours with transfers with Hobbiton Movie Set Tours that depart in the morning (8:15 am) or afternoon (1:15 pm), respectively. These group tours will see you joining a group of fellow interested visitors accompanied by a guide that takes you on a short bus and then on to view individual highlights around the village.

It's an impeccably-crafted emulation of a fantasy world that shows remarkably attention to detail

Participants have ample time throughout to pause and pose for photos as well as admire the view; expect to spend around 2 hours in total exploring the highlights of Hobbiton itself. While the Hobbit holes are only viewed externally, the Green Dragon Inn makes for a wonderfully-detailed and atmospheric space in which to enjoy a drink at the conclusion of the tours.

Private tours with smaller groups are also available for booking, albeit at a more expensive price.

What else to do in Matamata:

Matamata itself is small and set up to cater to all-things-Hobbiton; as a result, the movie set is the singular aim of most visitors to the area. Those looking to spend some additional time here can peruse the medieval style Firth Tower Museum, play a round of golf at one of its golf clubs, or take a stroll down one of a handful of local walking tracks to admire some local nature before returning to Rotorua.

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Top Multi-Day Trips from Rotorua

Standout multi-day destinations that provide extended potential for fun and experiences near Rotorua include:

1. The Coromandel Peninsula

Distance from Rotorua: around 3 hours' drive (one-way)

Why go?: Warm, seaside portion of New Zealand famed for its quality beaches; lovely coastal & inland exploration; hub for aquatic experiences and marine life

Sunny, scenic and downright picturesque, the Coromandel Peninsula on the north-eastern face of the North Island strikes one of the country's balances between green and gold environments. It's home to some of New Zealand's best beaches dotted throughout its roughly 400km-long coast - from popular tourist spots to more secluded offerings complete with stunning rock formations - and its seasonally warm environment allows visitors to enjoy their golden sands nearly all year round.

The region also has a lush inland area that's blanketed by native rainforest for those who enjoy a ride or a hike, while it also offers a handful of quality family-oriented attractions and activities to keep those travelling with little ones occupied, as well.

It's home to some of New Zealand's best beaches dotted throughout its roughly 400km-long coast

As a result, it's an ideal getaway destination within reasonable distance for those in search of some sunshine, water activities and general coastal relaxation that can be experienced over 2 or 3 days.

Getting there: Getting from Rotorua to The Coromandel will likely depend on which "part" of the peninsula you're most looking to explore, with its eastern side all about the beaches and aquatic experiences, while its western portion is more oriented around greenery and cultural highlights. As a result, it's possible to have two very different itineraries, particularly if you should only have two or three days before returning to Rotorua or heading further onwards.

Regardless, expect to spend between 3 and 3.5 hours driving from Rotorua to reach some of the more popular bases for stays in the Coromandel region such as Whitianga, Whangamata, Hahei or the town of Coromandel itself.

What to do in The Coromandel:

To fill out a multi-day itinerary in The Coromandel is an easy proposition, with numerous natural highlights and activities in which to participate, including:

• Visit Hot Water Beach: take advantage of the geothermal activity below the surface of the region's golden sands by digging yourself a personal spa bath at this iconic natural attraction located between Tairua and Whitianga. Relax in front of the ocean two hours either side of low tide as the natural thermally heated water bubbles up from below.
• Take a boat tour of Cathedral Cove: the signature highlight of the Coromandel region as a whole, Cathedral Cove near Hahei is a regular on postcards promoting the region. Its famed "natural arch" formation and wildlife-rich waters are a staple of any Coromandel trip, and its sheltered waters are the ideal venue for a leisurely boat cruise to see them firsthand. Operator Ocean Leopard Tours offer 2-hour boat cruises to observe ts mixture of rocky scenery, gorgeous waters and the chance to spot dolphins, numerous fish species, and abundant bird life.
• Whangamata Beach: often acclaimed as one of New Zealand's most gorgeous stretches of sand, Whangamata's mixture of pristine white sand and quality surf breaks makes it an excellent multi-purpose beach that's downright special to look at, too. Stretching out over around 4km, the beach offers top-notch surfing at its northern end, while its southern portion offers sheltered and safe swimming conditions to go along with its ample coastal scenery.
• Rapaura Watergardens: this Garden of Distinction makes for an enjoyable blend of the aquatic and the floral, with a mixture of lily ponds, water sculptures, waterfalls and more all making for an overall soothing environment. The gardens lie 6km off the highway from Tapu and have been open for more than 40 years.
• Driving Creek Railway: take a charming journey through some dense Kauri forest while taking in a number of panoramic Coromandel views with a ride aboard the Driving Creek Railway. A must-do for those travelling to The Coromandel with kids, in particular, this mini-railway is an impressive example of construction and raw effort that runs for around 3km in length and offers great views out over the Hauraki Gulf, among other outlooks.

For a full range of additional tours and activities in The Coromandel and surrounds, check out our experiences catalogue at the link below.

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2. Taupo

Distance from Rotorua:just over 1 hour's drive (one-way)

Why go?: Great mix of adrenaline and adventure opportunities; gorgeous namesake lake; geothermal attractions

Taupo on NZ’s North Island is one of New Zealand’s most popular resort towns and holiday destinations that offers a myriad of activities, but it’s the many kinds of geothermal and volcanic wonders that can be found within that give the region its individual character and attracts most of its visitors. The area derives its name from the glorious Lake Taupo – a massive body of water that is roughly the size of Singapore.

Formed by a massive volcanic eruption over 26,000 years ago, Lake Taupo’s crystal-clear waters provide plenty of opportunities for aquatic activities such as trout fishing, sailing, kayaking and other marine adventures - all while making for an enormous and highly photogenic landmark in its own right. The region also has something of a reputation for adrenaline-oriented experiences, with the likes of skydiving and bungy jumping also immensely popular for those in search of a rush.

The area derives its name from the glorious Lake Taupo – a massive body of water that is roughly the size of Singapore

Getting there: One of the shorter trip destinations from Rotorua in terms of distance, all it takes is roughly an hour drive to reach Taupo - however it's a drive you'll likely want to extend, as it contains several noteworthy potential stops and highlights along the way. This route between the two cities is renowned for its geothermal attractions, with several of these popular "geothermal parks" offering some of the country's finest examples of accessible bubbling and steaming activity for travellers.

The bright and powerful waters of Huka Falls and its associated lookout are also a must-visit along this route, with its vivid blue colour and well thought out lookout points offering one of the unique panoramas New Zealand has to offer. Add in some dense, towering forest along the route, and you've got a pleasant drive that serves as an "attraction" in and of itself.

What to do in the Taupo region:

Taupo has plenty to offer in its immediate surrounds that can fill out a several-days-strong itinerary, with the following our suggested must-do experiences:

• Huka Falls Jet: One of New Zealand's most famous jet boating experiences, Huka Falls Jet offer high-speed, 30 minute tours that provide a fun-filled overview of the natural surroundings at speeds of up to 80km per hour. The journey culminates in an approach to the massive rush of natural power that is Huka Falls themselves, with a massive volume of water being pumped through their 100m-wide mouth.
• Skydiving & Bungy Jumping: Taupo isn't all laid-back lake cruising; adrenaline junkies can take part in one or both of two extreme experiences: skydiving, or bungy jumping. Skydivers in the Taupo region have two options, with both Skydive Taupo and Taupo Tandem Skydiving offering skydives above the gorgeous lake panorama at some of the most competitive prices in all of New Zealand; so if you've been wanting to take the plunge, it's one of the best value spots in NZ to do so.
  Bungy Jumping, meanwhile, comes courtesy of the team at Taupo Bungy, who offer a 47-metre-high free-fall experience over the waters of the Waikato River, just upstream from Huka Falls.
• Geothermal experiences: Assuming you haven't been "geothermal'd out" from your time in Rotorua, the Taupo region offers a handful of additional excellent steamy attractions, each with their own highlights. Wairakei Terraces is oriented around bathing within mineral-rich waters amongst pleasing surrounds; Craters of the Moon offers a series of well-constructed boardwalks that wind their way amongst bubbling mud pools, steaming craters and more; and Orakei Korako Geothermal Park, which boasts the most active geysers of any part of its kind in New Zealand.
• Cruise Lake Taupo & see the Maori Carvings: An essential journey in the Taupo region is witnessing its towering Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings, which measure over 10m tall and are often touted as one of the country's best cultural artworks. Sailing cruises to the carvings offer a leisurely way to get up close with the carvings while taking in the panorama of Lake Taupo as a whole, with operators Sail Barbary and Sail Fearless both offering bookable sail itineraries of the lake, and Chris Jolly Outdoors offering standard boat cruises.

Of course, these are just a handful of the essential experiences in the Taupo region; for an additional range of tours and experiences, check out the link below.

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3. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Distance from Rotorua: 2 hours' drive to National Park (one-way)

Why go?: One of New Zealand's epic Great Walks; distinct volcanic environment different to other walks; can be done in a single day; relatively cheap compared to other Great Walks

Possessing an entirely different landscape to some of New Zealand's other Great Walks, the Tongariro Crossing is a striking break from the typically lush greens of NZ scenery - yet is no less visually stunning for the fact. Involving a trek across a blend of vividly-coloured, rugged terrain, the Tongariro Crossing showcases awe-inspiring geological and geographical formations with a tableau that has powdery whites clashing with bright turquoise blues all alongside dark, volcanic rock.

Its relatively short length works in the track's favour as well - spanning a distance of 19.4 kilometres in total, the crossing can be completed in anywhere from 7-9 hours depending on your personal pace and thus qualifies as a viable single-day journey. The crossing spans from Mangatepopo carpark on one end to Ketetahi Hot Springs on the other and provides hikers with the chance to encounter enough dramatic landscape to keep them occupied for the entire course of the journey, including one of the few active volcanic crater lakes in the world.

the Tongariro showcases awe-inspiring geological and geographical formations, with a tableau that sees powdery whites clashing with bright turquoise blues and dark, volcanic rock

Getting there: Travelling from Rotorua to the Tongariro National Park base where the walk begins takes around 2 to 2.5 hour drive from the city. Self-driving is possible via state highways, while a number of guided tour companies such as Walking Legends, Adrift, Foris Eco-tours, and Multi-Day Adventures provide transportation to the track entry point as an option on their itineraries.

Whakapapa village serves as the closest gateway to the park for those looking to stay nearby; it may also serve as a worthy precaution of booking an extra night of accommodation before commencing the walk as weather can make crossing dangerous and the walk temporarily prohibited.

The walk can be done as a self-guided route, while operator Adrift Outdoors offer guided day walks along the crossing for further insight, to help navigate its sometimes-difficult terrain, and to ensure you see the best highlights of the track during your journey.

What to see on the Tongariro Crossing:

As with any walk, it's a matter of different "sections" on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing that offer standout landscapes and individual views; fortunately, given the Tongariro's shorter overall distance, these are all typically far less spaced out than other, extended Great Walks.

• Soda Springs to South Crater: the section with some of the most dramatic and sweeping views on the track, it's steep yet rewarding with an overview down into the valley and with an outlook that incorporates verdant farmland into its panorama.
• South Crater To Red Crater this brightly-coloured section derives its name from the iron-rich contents of its surface, with vivid reds and sulphuric smells in the air. The old lava flows bring to mind an era aeons past in which the landscape was active and tumultuous.
• The Emerald Lakes: perhaps the track's most recognisable section, the lakes' aquamarine hues form a drastic contrast with the darker, earthy tones of the volcanic surface surrounding them.

A final note on doing the Tongariro Crossing; if possible, try to commence your walk early in the morning before larger bus loads of fellow travellers arrive to experience the track at its unfettered best.

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