Overview
** ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND **
Read travel tips for Rotorua, NEW ZEALAND from our amazing community of BLACK AND BROWN TRAVELERS that will help you find some of the best places to visit Rotorua, NEW ZEALAND.Our variety of travel tips will definitely help you plan your next trip. Our tips range from best places to visit in Rotorua, NEW ZEALAND, affordability, nightlife, local food, where to stay and even what it is like Traveling While Black. Lastly, we are working diligently to create a comprehensive city guide for Rotorua, NEW ZEALAND. Stay tuned! But in the meantime, scroll down to read tips below!
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I was so happy to make the decision to drive out to Rotorua from Auckland. First of all, the drive is beautiful and breathtaking. And that’s saying a lot because I truly hate driving. The landscaping is something out of a movie, literally lol
Here is why I said that. On your way to Rotorua you’re gonna want to make a stop in Matamata. It’s about 2 hours + from Auckland. Here is where the Hobbiton Movie Set is located. It’s like a dream. Like being in an actual movie. Very whimsical, magical, fun, great place for million pics. It’s where the Lord of the Rings was made. And if you’re a LOR fan, you will go crazy. I’m not even one and I loved it.
After you’re done with all the fun in Hobbiton, you can continue with the rest of your drive to Rotorua. It’s about 1 more hour drive from Matamata.
I found Rotorua to be very charming little town. It doesn’t look it but there is so much to do. Lots of activities. If you’re looking to relax, lots of spas and mud baths. I took off a star in my rating for relaxation b/c it’s not an idle location for me for relaxation. Love beachy destinations for that. But so much adventure.
You have the Skyline Rotorua for example where you could partake in various activities such as the Luge, Zipline, Mountain Biking, SkySwing, Wine Tasting and much more. You definitely want to take the ride up to top of the mountain to partake in amazing view of the city and I’d advise you to stay so that you can enjoy the sunset over drinks at Stratosfare Restaurant when you’re on top. Great food and wine selection and of course amazing view.
You can also go to The Agrodome Rotorua and hang out with farm animals. Per some lambs and bunnies. I never thought this would be fun but it was and spent couple hours just enjoying being around nature and creatures.
Lots of hiking, waterfalls, drive out to the beach where you can dig yourself a hole and enjoy a hot spring, enjoy an evening of good food and show at the Tamaki Village where you get to experience indigenous people and culture.
Some of my other favorite things to do was jogging around town and exploring the little boutique interesting stores like a cat cafe with adorable kitties where you can have great coffee and hang out with the kitties. Or just admiring the government building structure and gardens. Such a beauty. There are lots and lots of options for dining for many palate.
But I can’t talk about Rotorua and not mention the stink. Lol he’s you read that right. The whole town does stink of sulphur. To me it smelled of rotten eggs. It comes and goes depending on where you are and which direction wind blows. It’s a geothermal wonderland, therefore the beauty comes with some of the yuck :)
But if you are in Auckland, you want to visit as there isn’t much to do in Auckland. Just another city and Rotorua isn’t so much more fun and interesting.