Suggested Rotorua Itinerary for 2, 3, 4 and 5 Days

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New Zealand's geothermal wonderland of Rotorua is easily one of the top travel destinations in the country, and it's not hard to see why - a unique and distinctive blend of incredible natural features coupled with a rich Maori history make for a truly “NZ” location that is a must-visit on any trip to the land of the Kiwi.

Perhaps most famous for its bubbling mud pools and spouting geysers, Rotorua presents a bevy of possible things to do for first-timers – so much so that planning an effective Rotorua itinerary when you have limited time can be quite a challenging task.

To lend a hand, we've put together a recommended itinerary for stays of lengths 1 to 5 days in Rotorua, with the aim to provide first-time visitors with the best possible combination of experiences and must-do's in the Rotorua region – hopefully without breaking the budget. Here are our recommendations:

Rotorua in a Day - Recommended Itinerary

• Spend the morning at Te Puia experiencing Moari culture and the amazing geothermal landscape of boiling mud pools and the Pohutu geyser.
• Get out into Rotorua’s forests and treetop canopies for some eco-friendly zip line adventures. This is a brilliant way to enjoy a New Zealand native forest.

Rotorua in 2 Days – Recommended Itinerary

• Te Puia mud pools and geysers
• Rotorua zipline tour
• Start the day with a tandem skydive, reaching speeds of 200kms per hour over Rotorua’s lakes and volcanoes.
• Follow this with the adrenalin rush of jet boating on Lake Rotorua (also known by its Maori name of Lake Rotoiti).
• Then for a relaxing afternoon there are many great fly fishing spots in the Rotorua Lake District, where Rainbow Trout abound.

Rotorua in 3 Days – Recommended Itinerary

• Te Puia mud pools and geysers
• Rotorua zip line tour
• Tandem skydive over Rotorua
• Jet boating on Lake Rotoiti
• Explore the Rotorua Lake District
• Visit the famous Waitomo Caves and take a magical boat ride through the naturally illuminated Glow Worm Grotto.
• Relax with a Polynesian spa and swim in naturally heated rock pools of mineral water. A Manuka Honey Walnut Polish and massage will leave you revived and refreshed.

Rotorua in 4 Days – Recommended Itinerary

• Te Puia mud pools and geysers
• Rotorua zip line tour
• Tandem skydive over Rotorua
• Jet boating on Lake Rotoiti
• Explore the Rotorua Lake District
• Visit Waitomo Glow Worm caves
• Polynesian spa experience
• Visit Matamata for the day, to the movie set of The Hobbit and see “true” Middle Earth. The day will include gorgeous countryside and fascinating insights into the making of The Hobbit as well as the other Lord of the Rings movies.

Rotorua in 5 Days – Recommended Itinerary

• Te Puia mud pools and geysers
• Rotorua zip line tour
• Tandem skydive over Rotorua
• Explore the Rotorua Lake District
• Jet boating on Lake Rotoiti
• Visit Waitomo Glow Worm caves
• Polynesian spa experience
• Visit the Hobbit set at Matamata
• Take a fully guided helicopter tour of Rotorua’s volcanoes, mud pools, springs and geysers. Fly over Mt Tarawera and the craters of Waimangu Volcanic Valley.
• Be entertained that evening by a traditional Maori cultural experience complete with Maori Haka performance followed by a delicious earth-cooked meal, the Hangi.

In addition, if you're looking for more ideas on things to do in Rotorua, don't hesitate to check out our main Rotorua guide page for an extended look at all the must-know information about Rotorua including weather and climate, getting around, shopping and much more useful information!