Five Free Things to do in Rotorua
Explore New Zealand Parks and Reserves at No Cost!
Rotorua is famous for its boiling mud pools, steaming pits, culture and beautiful lakes and forests. Here are five free attractions within 20kms of Rotorua for visitors and residents to explore.
Kuirau Park, Rotorua Central
Only a few short blocks from Rotorua's Central Business District is Kuirau Park, a reserve full of geothermal activity and perfectly manicured gardens. The park has many open grass areas perfect for a picnic, and a children's playground for the young ones to enjoy.
Dotted by bubbling mud pools and steam vents surrounding a hot lake, it is recommended by the Rotorua District Council that visitors keep to the walking paths provided.
Access to this free geothermal park can be found on Ranolf Street, Pukuatua Street, Tarewa Road and Lake Road.
The Government Gardens, Rotorua Central
The Government Gardens is home to many attractions, including a stunning rose garden, golf course and bowling greens. The gardens also feature a soldier's memorial, totem pole and the historic Blue Baths building which opened in 1933.
Once a vibrant bathing house which thrived in its first decade, the Blue Baths closed in 1982 and the building was left to decay. In 1999 the baths were restored and reopened under the same name, exactly 68 years after the first bathers dipped their feet in the warm water.
Past the majestic Rotorua Museum in the centre of the gardens, is a wildlife refuge at Sulphur Bay. There is an easy walking track, which leads lakeside to Sulphur Point right around to the main Lakefront area.
The Government Gardens can be found by driving east down Pukuatua Street past I-Site, Rotorua's Tourism Information Centre.
Lake Tikitapu, The Blue Lake
The Blue Lake is Rotorua's most popular swimming and water-sports lake, located only 10 minutes from the city on Tarawera Road.
During the summer months, the Blue Lake is swarming with locals and tourists alike, all enjoying the wonderful cool water, barbeque areas and children's playground.
A walking track starts from the right of the lakefront, goes full circle around the lake and takes around two and a half hours. It is a fairly easy walk with no steep hills, and there are many lake access points along the way.
Hamurana Springs, Hamurana
A perfect picnic spot and bird lover's paradise, Hamurana Springs is surrounded by glorious flora and fauna, including a small redwood plantation.
Once a very active tourist attraction, the springs have somewhat slipped into retirement, making this one of Rotorua's best free places to visit.
Home to the North Island's deepest natural spring, the park is now maintained by New Zealand's Department of Conservation and is a very tranquil setting for a picnic and short walk.
The Redwoods, Whakarewarewa
Rotorua's most popular outdoor fitness area, The Redwoods, has many different walking trails for varying fitness levels. Surrounded by 288 hectares of Californian Coastal Redwood trees 60 feet tall, the trails are cool even in summer.
Recently, The Redwoods has become famous for its multi-level mountain biking trails. Trail maps can be obtained from the visitor information centre on Long Mile Road.
The Government Gardens, Rotorua, New Zealand
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Hamurana Springs, Hamurana, Rotorua
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