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33 Best Stops Between Thames and Rotorua
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Wanderlog staff
Updated • updatedApr 10, 2023
Updated • updatedApr 10, 2023
How long is the drive from Thames to Rotorua?
The direct drive from Thames to Rotorua is 97 mi (156 km), and should have a drive time of 2 hrs 9 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Thames to Rotorua, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Tauranga, Hamilton, and Mount Maunganui, as well as top places to visit like Miranda Hot Springs and Butterfly Forest, or the ever-popular GoSkydive New Zealand.
Visiting Thames or Rotorua? See our Thames Trip Planner and our Rotorua Trip Planner.
97 mi
Total Distance
2 hrs 9 mins
Drive Time
33 stops
Cities / Attractions
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Top cities between Thames and Rotorua
The top cities between Thames and Rotorua are Tauranga, Hamilton, and Mount Maunganui. Tauranga is the most popular city on the route. It's 2 hours from Thames and less than an hour from Rotorua.
1
Hamilton
Hamilton, located in New Zealand's Waikato region, is a vibrant city offering a variety of attractions. The Hamilton Gardens showcase diverse themed gardens and the Waikato Museum features Maori art and artifacts. The city center's Victoria Street is bustling with dining and entertainment options. Additionally, Hamilton's parks provide not only scenic beauty but also cultural landmarks and recreational activities for both locals and visitors to enjoy.
80% as popular as Tauranga
23 minutes off the main route, 48% of way to Rotorua
2
Mount Maunganui
Located on a peninsula, Mount Maunganui is a relaxed neighborhood famous for the dormant Mount Maunganui volcano, which holds cultural significance to the Maori people and offers scenic hiking paths overlooking the ocean. The area features Main Beach with its renowned surf breaks and Pilot Bay Beach, ideal for paddle boarding in its tranquil waters. Visitors can enjoy saltwater bathing and spa services at the Mount Hot Pools complex. Additionally, the town center boasts various dining options, brunch spots, and boutique shops.
69% as popular as Tauranga
19 minutes off the main route, 62% of way to Rotorua
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2
Travelers
2
3
Tauranga
Tauranga, a charming harbourside city in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty region, is home to the historic Elms Mission Station and its Georgian-style home dating back to 1847. The city is connected by a bridge to Mount Maunganui, known for its beach town vibes, hot saltwater pools, and the extinct volcano that shares its name. Additionally, visitors can explore White Island, an active volcano located offshore that can be reached by helicopter or boat.
Most popular city on this route
11 minutes off the main route, 62% of way to Rotorua
Best stops along Thames to Rotorua drive
The top stops along the way from Thames to Rotorua (with short detours) are Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours, Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ, and Hamilton Gardens. Other popular stops include Mount Maunganui, Te Pa Tu - The Gathering Place, and Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave.
1Abhijeet K — Google reviewIanrey N — Google reviewBradley J — Google reviewVadim T — Google reviewLana W — Google reviewCourtney — Google reviewBhushan S — Google review•
GoSkydive New Zealand
Permanently Closed
Skydiving center
Tours
Skydiving
Our GoSkydive New Zealand experience was excellent right from the very first phone call. The owner answered the call and explained everything I needed to know before making a booking for my group of six. He even gave me a discount which was great. We were personally picked up in Auckland CBD and driven to the skydiving site. The whole staff were honestly the most professional and extremely friendly people I have met. The guys doing the tandem jumps with us were very patient and understanding and made the whole experience easy and enjoyable. The videos taken during the jumps, were edited and emailed to us straight away. It was an excellent first time experience, I would definitely do again with these guys.
Penny C — Google review
One of the cheapest and wonderful experience of sky dive near Auckland. They mostly work based on appointment so call before you go. They also have small airfield and airplane license classes.
Our super awesome experience so far in Aotearoa! Thank you GoSkyDive NZ for making this happen. Excellent communication during inquiry stage, very friendly staff, great pilot, and most importantly experienced and professional sky jumpers (Billy and Steven) - highly recommended team!!!
How do you not rate a sky diving experience excellent? I knew I was gonna have an experience of a life time but what made it even better was the professionalism, friendliness and stoke the guys had! Thank you for the best experience ever!
I have got great experience and life lasting memories after my first ever jump from 13,000 ft with 45 sec of free fall. This the event that blows mind, make life different and improve self-confidence greatly. The team is very friendly, the location is excellent. I would like to jump here again.
Loved it
they made it so exciting and was so awesome so would do it again thank u guys
I did my first skydive earlier this week and can 100% recommend GoSkydive. The instructors were so friendly and supportive, and took the time to get to know you and make you feel comfortable. I felt safe the entire time and was really impressed with the whole operation. Couldn't recommend them enough A+++ amazing experience and I will definitely be back! :)
The guys at Go Skydive are awesome. The tandem jump with Billy was amazing. Friendly, highly experienced and chilled out. Darren communicated quite well and let me know when it would be the right time to jump. The whole experience was very well managed. Highly recommend this place if you want to skydive. It was the best jump ever and the video was well edited. Will definitely skydive again. What a thrill!!
4.9
(126)
5.0
(191)
590D Koheroa Road, Mercer 2474, New Zealand
2Patrick N — Google reviewGlen S — Google reviewBrooke D — Google reviewDee P — Google reviewEmma M — Google reviewStar K — Google reviewNicholas H — Google review•
Miranda Hot Springs
Mentioned on
Temporarily Closed
Thermal baths
Nature & Parks
Hot Springs & Geysers
Miranda Hot Springs is a popular spot for locals and tourists to relax in the thermal waters. The facilities include grassy areas, BBQs, and a cafe with good food and service. While some visitors find the prices steep, others appreciate the family-friendly environment and ample play space for children. This natural spa offers a leisurely experience with no time limit, lockers for belongings, and delicious fish and chips available on-site.
One of the oldest natural spa in Auckland, the administration is really cheap plus no time limit.
They also have locker for your important items.
The most important part this play is they have very good fish and chips. I think the combo is $16 if I am right. It’s really yum yum yum.
Not a fancy place but its wonderful place for the family trip.
紐西蘭吃喝玩樂 Z — Google review
We had so much fun and memories are established here! Surely, the council work alongside the owners and develop a collaborative plan to restore a community resource! Let's find a solution and make this work so the fun times and memories return and remain sustainable. There should have been some legal obligation for maintenance, restoring and sustainability moving forward. Iconic places like this have a community responsibility. Just my thoughts and obviously just my opinion without legal knowledge but surely the message is restoration, reopen, maintain, and sustain. Places like this should have provisions before sale.
The staff were very friendly. I thought the drive was out the way and the prices a bit on the steep side. The facilities are adequate with a grass patch, some BBQs, tables and chairs, change rooms toilets and a single shower. Everything looks like it could do with a bit of a spruce up. I would have appreciated a bit of shade covering over the pool. The cafe had good food and wonderful service.
Lovely place💙 I've been going to this pool since I was a baby. Good times and great memories. Fun for the whole family. Really yummy food and kind staff members.
This beautiful Hot springs is definately the place to be to unwind, entertain and family friendly. Thermal pool with lots of play space for families and kiddies. Its a fair drive but it is soooo worth the gas. The prices are meh ok It is pretty expensive for private pools however, if you enjoy just relaxing and mingling with ethnic families you will love being there
A favourite place to visit since childhood. Food at cafe was good and reasonably priced. Entry prices are as is on website. Place was clean and tidy. Good for families.
No shelter over main pool is a bummer, and no cold water pool at all. But still loved it, spent an entire day there and went home feeling relaxed.
Out do or heated pool near the east coast lovely staff and hot food available. Family friendly business.
4.1
(1227)
3.9
(184)
Front Miranda Rd, RD 6, Thames, Pūkorokoro / Miranda 3576, New Zealand
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2
Travelers
2
3Peter M — Google reviewMike A — Google reviewTracey H — Google reviewJason P — Google reviewUzair ` — Google reviewGer V — Google reviewRichard G — Google review•
Butterfly Forest
Permanently Closed
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Enclosed space with exotic plants & up to 400 butterflies, plus a shop for ice cream & souvenirs.
It was a rainy day but we set off for Thames to visit the Butterfly and Orchid Garden. We had read an article in the NZ Today Magazine about it. We were not disappointed in the amount of beautiful butterflies in the enclosure. The party of 7 of us thoroughly enjoyed our outing. There are lovely tropical plantings and 2 fish ponds. Great to be inside in the warmth and pleasant surroundings. Afterwards we looked around the interesting items for sale in the shop.
Heather B — Google review
What a fun place! About 8 species of butterfly. Worth a stop.
Good for a warm up and interesting for kids under new friendly ownership
If you are planning on visiting he butterfly house in Thames NZ reconsider your options it has been closed for a month due to relocation in progress. unfortunate that there has been no notice been made on their website....
DISAPPOINTED.......
Was great to walk through, was able to take the buggy through so the little one could see. Lovely staff and quiet.
It is not there any more ! No signs at all. There was a brown signage on the Tararu rd. which has been painted white now.
Cool place to visit. Beautiful butterflies and the owner is okay too.
Best thing do on a cold day. Was awesome see so many different types of butterflies
4.2
(31)
4.0
(110)
115 Victoria Street, Thames 3500, New Zealand
4Nic D — Google reviewAddie L — Google reviewAndrew ( — Google reviewKevin P — Google reviewP B — Google reviewMarieka D — Google reviewDavid H — Google review•
Whangamata Beach
Mentioned on
Beach
Outdoor Activities
Whangamata Beach, located on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand, is renowned for its excellent surf conditions, making it a popular destination for surfers of all skill levels. The long left-hander Whangamata Bar is considered one of the best waves in the country. Additionally, the beach offers various breaks suitable for both beginners and advanced surfers.
Beautiful beach. Great waves. Lovely locals. Very chill comfortable vibe.
Fran C — Google review
A wonderful holiday location at any time of year. A good choice of cafes, restaurants and shops. Blackies cafe behind the surf club is a favourite.There’s plenty to do - beach for swimming and walks, Wentworth Valley walk to the falls, a local gym, mountain biking, fishing or just relaxing.
My husband and I went to Whangamata Beach today 6/6/2024.
The beach there was very peaceful and tranquil so we could enjoy our relaxing stroll along the beach. Even though the weather was not so good and chilly today, we still enjoyed our time there.
We highly recommend you to visit there on a sunny day.
Looked a great and safe beach. Even though this place is relatively small had toilets and so many restaurants!
Great beach. Great walk. Take me to the Island (at low tide!!)
Excellent sandy beach. Midweek on a sunny November day, there were no crowds and no problem finding a parking spot.
Also, a good cafe, Blackies, behind the surf club.
Voted best beach. Heaps of choices for safe swimming spots. Surf or flat. Long sandy beach walks close to an easy going main street with lots of great eateries and shopping opportunities. Friendly happy locals cos how can we not be happy living in paradise😁
This is a lovely beach. One local told me that this beach was voted the best in New Zealand last year. I have been to better beaches in NZ to be honest, but it's still lovely. The views are great and if you get to kayak out to the island then you should definitely include that in your trip.
4.8
(612)
4.7
(403)
107 Barrowclough Road, Whangamatā 3620, New Zealand
5
Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
Mentioned on
Outdoor Activities
Hiking Trails
Nestled at the foot of the Coromandel Range, Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway offers a scenic stroll along the former railway line connecting Paeroa and Waihi. This route provides a glimpse into the area's rich mining and railway history through well-preserved remnants from bygone eras.
4.5
(489)
Waikato Region, New Zealand
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6Apurwa P — Google reviewSheng L — Google reviewJude B — Google reviewOlsen I — Google reviewLuca G — Google reviewDaisy L — Google reviewOssie O — Google review•
Martha Mine
Mentioned on
Mine
Outdoor Activities
Hiking Trails
Martha Mine, located in Waihi, offers a 4km gravel trail encircling the pit, providing an easy walk with interpretation panels detailing its history. Visitors can explore the old pump house and a large CAT dump truck while taking in panoramic views of the open pit. The pathway also features Anzac 'poppies' honoring fallen soldiers.
A great walk on a fine day, (no rain, there is not much shelter) it took us about 2 hours, the signs say 1 hour but there is a bit to look and read the photos attached shows the walk well including the turtle we saw photo included below. There is a panorama photo as well
Charles W — Google review
Really cool spot to check out! The size of the Martha Mine is insane. We walked part of the pit rim trail, which was super easy and had great info boards along the way about the history of the mine and how it all works. Definitely worth a stop if you’re passing through Waihi or doing a day trip from somewhere nearby!
a good place to spent during weekend.
no ticket needed, can just ownself walk around the gold mine, read about the story, which they clearly stated everything there.
Excellent place, again I would recommend anyone to add this to their itenarary. Waihi has a a lot history based around mining, as I mentioned on my previous review, this would make a brilliant day trip, visit karangahake gorge and then finish up coming here and possibly drive to the beautiful beach only 15mins from the gold mine. There is a great information centre located near the car park. Fairly easy walk around the perimeter, be sure to check out the dozer and the large CAT dump truck.
Beautiful place to visit, with amazing view's. The Rim walkways is also amazing. It's about 4km, with very nice tracks. Must see if you are in the area.
Definitely worth checking out this mine if you're going through Waihi, great to see the old pump house as well as the dump truck. You can also walk all the way around the mine which will take somewhat longer.
Stunning, there's a lovely trek around it as well- 1hr.
Seems this part of history is not that important to look after anymore, being left to deteriorate pretty much...
4.5
(62)
4.2
(212)
Martha Street, Waihi 3610, New Zealand
7Monique K — Google reviewJulsy F — Google reviewPhilip L — Google reviewKaren L — Google reviewChristie W — Google reviewMaryjane — Google reviewMary D — Google review•
Palm Motel Waihi
Motel
Outdoor Activities
Palm Motel Waihi offers a relaxed stay with its comfortable studios and apartments featuring kitchenettes. The property boasts an outdoor pool, garden, and playground. Guests appreciate the ample charging outlets and friendly owners. Families enjoy spacious rooms equipped with TVs and Sky channels, while the staff is described as warm and helpful. The motel's practicality is noted, with fully serviceable yet dated rooms that cater to both adults and kids with amenities like a pool and hot tub.
Awesome stay. Room was amazing. Nice to come from Auckland to such a clean room. Hosts! Well, we couldn't rate them highly enough. Awesome people and guided us through the town. Our 5 year old loved being there also with the Pool and Mum in the Spa. Wouldn't stay anywhere else! And we will be back again. Thanks so much. See you soon!
Michalla L — Google review
Cheaper if you book with motel direct. We paid $42 extra booking travago website.
The rooms are small and not laid out well. No armchairs and only bed to sit on apart from plastic dining chairs. Brown decor.
That said it's very clean. Managers so friendly and helpful. Now we know what you get and at a better price we would book again.
Only stayed one night, pool closes early on colder days and spa was booked out. I only booked the place for my daughter to swim in the pool but even in the mornings pool not open only at 10am when checking out. So we had no chance at having a swim at all.
Stayed in room one , toilet so noisy when flushing and bathroom very small had dirt in them when arrived and stove needs to be replaced. The soap and shampoo dispenser was not even working too they were full but not even working.
There were ants all over the kitchen bench and by the fridge.
The bed was the only best thing for me to be honest.
Practical with dated but fully serviceable rooms with all you need. Suitable for kids with pool and hot tub for adults. Good parking and no road noise when in back units and comfortable beds. Brilliant showers and water pressure. Lovely birdsong in mornings. Rail trail station is close by as well. Ideal place to spend a few days exploring all the area has to offer.
One tiny soap for 4 ladies body wash in shower did not work,bottom of shower not clean enough, but beds were very comfortable and covers were good,location good
The motel is run down and in need if maintenance. Door handles on kitchen broken net curtains decades old with holes and look grey with dust. Holes in blinds. Found last guests food in fridge and an unwashed microwave. No sound insulation between units. We had to ask for towels and teatowels when we arrived. On the plus side sheets and pillow cases were clean and fresh.
For 196 a night the only good thing i can say is the room was clean and so was the bathroom.10$ charge to use the hot tub....it says included In stay on website and in their booklet on arrival, all you need to do is book a time but when you get to reception you have to pay. It's $10 each time you book a time. I usually like to have one in the morning and night but at 10 each session. No thank you. Ive not read a single review so far thay says they were being charged to use spa. Was this only being charged to me if so im not happy at all.
One of the cleanest motels I have ever been in which is my No. 1 priority. Room slightly outdated, and have been done up very nicely, and I am very happy with the value received. Would not hesitate to stay there again. The staff very friendly and on the whole we had a great experience staying at the Pam Motel.
4.1
(162)
4.5
(233)
123 Parry Palm Avenue, Waihi 3610, New Zealand
8Eugene T — Google reviewBernadette B — Google reviewJulie I — Google reviewKoebyn G — Google reviewEranga A — Google reviewKorina K — Google reviewEm D — Google review•
Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery
Mentioned on
Museum
Art museum
Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, also known as the Waikato Museum, is a vibrant cultural hub nestled along the picturesque banks of the Waikato River in Hamilton. Established in 1987, this museum showcases an impressive array of exhibitions that delve into the region's art, history, and culture while also offering insights from a global perspective.
A beautiful and cool place to go and its free entry. They do have costs to a couple of displays but the rest of the museum is just fine. They have a lift to get people on wheelchairs, prams and walking frames up to every floor. Great displays and friendly and helpful staff. Thank you 😊
Pamela T — Google review
A great little museum with loads of information. During our visit, we had the chance to create our own art and photograph them as portraits. There is also a treasure hunt to spot particular items on a laminated sheet which keeps the young and old entertained. The astronomy photography was also on and that was truly spectacular to view. Bear in mind that it was an extra fee to view but well worth it. We also explored the kids area which was interesting and would also suit children of the younger age group. Overall a great place to visit especially if you’re looking for an indoor activity.
I really enjoyed the exhibitions in the museum, the one in the most of the photos is the Weaving Exhibition. Taken in February 2025.
There were many other permanent and very informative displays in other rooms.
Frankly I didn’t see the art gallery exhibits as I’d spent so long in the museum 😉
Spoke to a lovely gallery assistant on various subjects, she was very helpful.
This is a beautiful place with art, a good one for the kids to be out of the house and go read some history of this country and mostly thr Waikato area. Really beautiful art and good customer service as well they are very welcoming and informative 😀
The Waikato Museum in Hamilton is a captivating destination that offers a rich blend of art, history, and culture, making it an essential stop for anyone visiting the region. The museum showcases an impressive array of exhibitions, from local Māori history to contemporary art, providing insights into the diverse cultural tapestry of the Waikato area.
One of the highlights is the museum's focus on Māori heritage, featuring artifacts and stories that celebrate the region's indigenous culture. The displays are thoughtfully curated, allowing visitors to engage with the history in a meaningful way. The interactive exhibits and hands-on activities are particularly enjoyable for families, making learning fun for all ages.
In addition to its permanent collections, the museum frequently hosts temporary exhibitions, which adds to the excitement of returning for repeat visits. The layout is spacious and welcoming, with plenty of natural light enhancing the overall experience.
The on-site café offers a pleasant spot to relax, with a menu that emphasizes local ingredients. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, always willing to provide insights into the exhibits or recommend nearby attractions.
Overall, the Waikato Museum is a gem that beautifully reflects the spirit of the region. It’s well worth a visit, whether you’re a local or a tourist, as it provides a deeper understanding of the Waikato's cultural and historical significance.
Straddling the mighty Waikato River, Hamilton is a city of rich diversity, from its thriving cultural precincts, lush gardens and sweeping parklands, to award winning eateries, vibrant nightlife and colourful street art.
We come for Excite (separate interactive learning area for kids), my girl looooves it, it's $10per kid which seems a little steep for quite a small area, but there are family passes and I think the equipment and knowledge is worth it, and when she's soooo persistent with her requests to come here, its gotta be good.
They could really do with more interaction, I understand from others reviews that there used to be a lot more to this section that was taken away,so hopefully, there's more to come...
Loving the Maori historic and the history of the Waikato! The museum needed abit more to it as it was too small and abit dull. Maybe just something we can connect with or use senses with as at the moment we were just looking. Overall it was real clean, toilets were clean, it was free entry and we learnt a thing or two about the Waikato.
4.4
(1749)
4.3
(379)
1 Grantham Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton 3204, New Zealand
9Savannah — Google reviewKim S — Google reviewViolet — Google reviewRae H — Google reviewTamira A — Google reviewJulianna M — Google reviewTania M — Google review•
Hamilton Lake Domain
Mentioned on
Park
Nature & Parks
Hamilton Lake Domain, located in the heart of Hamilton City, offers a picturesque 3.8 km hiking trail around Lake Rotorua. The trail is popular among walkers, runners, and hikers and features lush vegetation alongside the lake, picnic areas, a playground, cafe, and a boardwalk section. Visitors can enjoy various water-based activities such as yachting, windsurfing, kayaking, and paddle boating. The domain also hosts organized events like fairs and family days.
1 round is about 5km..very nice place to walk ..toilet facilities on both sides of the lake..children's playground available...cafe with nice coffee..ample parking...serene environment...definitely 5 star rating
Yeang K — Google review
Bird life, clean paths, range of shaded and non shaded areas. Flat walking track, perfect for any fitness level. Great place to watch the sunset
A sunny spring day at the end of September. Beautiful place to chill and have lunch with the kids. Awesome play areas for toddlers thru to bigger kids. Ice cream shop and cafe. Public toilets. Free parking.
Enjoyable walk around the lake, not too much foot traffic. Track looks maintained and taken care of. Stopped to feed the ducks but a Tuna come up to eat instead :)
We are SO LUCKY to have this asset in our city. Whether you are looking for somewhere to picnic, need a great playground, feel like an ice-cream, want to spend time in nature- or seeking a lovely walk- Hamilton Lake has it all.
Beautiful place for weekend outing with your family. Suddenly you feel like you are in Dubai.. because of the palm trees!
The children's playground I'd fabulous and offers children a safe place to play and exercise. There is a closed off area for smaller children to safely play.
Great venue for dragon boating event. Clean, tidy. Lots of grass. Good toilet facilities.Nice playground for kids.Thank you Tron!
4.6
(5833)
4.5
(574)
Ruakiwi Road, Hamilton Lake, Hamilton 3204, New Zealand
10Emily H — Google reviewWayne W — Google reviewCarolyn S — Google reviewDevyn R — Google reviewXavier B — Google reviewLara G — Google reviewVictor M — Google review•
Hamilton Gardens
Mentioned on
Garden
Nature & Parks
Park
Hamilton Gardens is a sprawling 50-hectare landscape located southeast of the city center. It features an array of meticulously designed gardens, including Japanese, Italian Renaissance, and traditional Maori-influenced spaces. Visitors can explore themed enclosed gardens such as Chinese, English, American, and Indian gardens with unique architectural elements like colonnades and pagodas. The park also includes a cafe, restaurant, and playgrounds for children to enjoy.
Located some 120 kilometres from Auckland this experience is a MUST for any lover of gardens and beauty. The Hamilton gardens are by all accounts one of the most impressive botanical gardens to visit to explore gardens of the world. Simply stunning!
Make the stop as part of your trip to Rotorua or Hawke’s Bay.
It’s great value and is just magnificent. Stop at the cafe for coffee before you head off and explore the beautiful spaces.
The tour takes a good two or three hours….
Enjoy
J N — Google review
Well worth a visit, the lake is lovely with little ducklings currently. We went into the enclosed garden (paid entry) and it was worth it. Stunning design and so fun to explore!
We took a lunch break before heading back in. We ended up spending 5 hours there with my senior parents. Plenty of seats along the way to rest and sights and floral displays to photograph. Bring your power bank!
One tip - Make sure you head to Mansfield Garden then to Picturesque Garden to follow the story.
The cafe has menu and items in the cabinet. Highly recommend the apple feijoa smoothie!
Parking was easy. A great experience and highly recommended!
Hamilton Gardens is one of the few places in the city that’s truly worth spending some time exploring. Each themed garden may not be a perfect replication of its cultural origin, but they do a great job showcasing the key elements within the limits of the space — from the pavilions and traditional structures in the Chinese Garden to the tatami-style layout in the Japanese Garden.
I’ve visited many times — sometimes with friends, sometimes with family, and sometimes just by myself. Even within the same garden, the scenery can feel completely different depending on the season, which is part of the charm.
It used to be free, but now non-residents need to purchase a ticket. Staff at the entrance will ask where you’re from and sell the appropriate ticket, and there’s a check at the gate before entry.
The whole park is medium-sized. You can do a quick walk-through in about 30 minutes, or spend half a day strolling slowly through each garden. It’s a wonderful spot for families, offering both relaxation and a bit of education.
A solid 5-star recommendation.
Such an amazing place with amazing spaces. A joy to wander around. You could easily spend the whole day here, there is so many wonderful sights to see. A photographers dream! The eatery has great food when you need to refuel. Well worth the entry fee.
Beautiful place with various gardens from multiple cultures. I was fascinated by the aesthetic and the upkeep of everything. Highly recommend checking this place out for a casual stroll. Admission fee was about NZ$20 You could spend up to a few hours here depending on if you just want to see all the gardens or just relax.
I have been to quite a few gardens all around the world. This one is now my favorite. So much to see and experience. So well laid out. Highly recommend a visit. 3hrs allowed us to walk the entire garden at a leisurely pace.
The Hamilton Gardens truly took me by surprise. I didn’t expect such a wonder — so full of unexpected diversity. The way each garden is shaped by its own culture and country feels absolutely unique, something I’ve never encountered before. Everything is beautifully cared for, charming, and delightfully unusual. And now, in spring, the blossoms add their own magic — a touch of fragrant mystery drifting through every corner.❤️
My wife dragged me here because we couldn't check-in to our hotel as early as we arrived. I'm really glad she did! It was a lovely walk around, plenty to see, and not overly crowded. I appreciated the variety of gardens and how each is unique. There are two little ice cream shops for kids of all ages, including husbands.
If you're passing through, or just want a cool place to walk around and relax, I highly recommend stopping by here.
4.7
(18141)
4.8
(3639)
Hungerford Crescent, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand
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11Michelle D — Google reviewSamuel H — Google reviewViv F — Google reviewJill S — Google reviewMel F — Google reviewJackie M — Google reviewTerri L — Google review•
Katikati Bird Gardens
Mentioned on
Nature & Parks
Coffee shop
Katikati Bird Gardens is a privately owned park located on the edge of Tauranga Harbour. It boasts delightful gardens, lily ponds, and secret paths, providing a serene environment to enjoy native and colorful birds. Visitors can grab refreshments at the cafe before exploring the gardens and interacting with the fearless ducks, chickens, and various bird species. The shady tree areas offer respite from the sun while observing baby peacocks, ducklings, and chickens.
This was an great place to visit the gardens were nice and there were many trails to follow throughout the gardens. You can buy bags of food for the birds and feed the wild birds. They will all run to you for food and will enen fly onto your arms and head. There are birds everywhere to feed.
Peter S — Google review
We only did a short walk, but really enjoyed it
Lots of chooks etc, very friendly, some even eat our of your hand. Being there in autumn was perfect, nature at it's finest.
Staff very friendly & helpful.
This place is enchanting. Amazing birds full of character, our two boys loved them (they climb on you so he prepared for that!) Cool Balinese style furniture and bits and pieces that make it feel like a big adventure. Two male peacocks and a bunch of females so they do they whole tail thing. Cool playground, charming parrots that talk. Incredible garden walk with exotic and local plants. It's really a gem and wish we'd known about this sooner!
We stopped at the bird garden after seeing the signpost on SH2. It was a great break from a long drive, whether you need coffee, drinks, food, or just a walk in a peaceful garden setting. Also, easy access from main road.
For a small entry fee and only $2 for bird feed we roamed around the winding pathways and lovely gardens, with ducks, chickens, pigeons, doves, Guinea fowl and a couple of spectacular peacocks. All very used to people it seemed. The host was also very friendly and welcoming!
Very good stop for lovely gardens and birds and a cafe for scones and tea. Friendly staff, well laid out path, lots of photographic opportunities. Easy parking. Very reasonably priced. Great for kids. Botanical. Ornithological. Ponds. A few subtle sculptures.
Well kept paths and gardens and you can hire a golf cart if needed. Cute ponds dotted around and a good variety of healthy looking birds. You can buy small bags of bird feed and we saw lots of adorable chicks. The cafe is great and we enjoyed THE BEST Devonshire tea I’ve ever had in New Zealand. All staff are friendly and helpful. Would visit again.
This was the second visit to the bird Gardens, the first time was 5 years ago. The gardens are lovely to walk around and the kids enjoy feeding the ducks, geese and chickens. The peacocks were a delight and it was lovely to see the guinea fowl chasing each other through the meadow.
The play area/fort has fallen into disrepair as has the once glorious rose garden but the newly hatched chick's distracted us from that.
The whole place looks less tidy but the post covid years and the havoc Gabrielle brought could explain a lot. However, the bird enclosures are absolutely dire. Run down, neglected, rusty and empty cages house the magnificently colourful birds. The birds don't have any stimulation, no fruit, no vegetation, other than weeds on top of the enclosures to challenge them. Some cages are so hidden I doubt customers even know they are there. When we left there was no one on site. The parrot food is in larger hanging containers and I got the sense it gets filled up periodically. I may be wrong, the birds look healthy, no feathers missing etc but it was a pitiful sight to see. If I lived in the area I would volunteer to create a better habitat for the birds. I'm writing this in the hope the owners put some effort into the cages. So, would I go again? Nope! Too sad for me.
Not a lot of birds here… and I’m not convinced about the welfare of the birds in the cages (there is a dead parakeet on the ground) but the grounds are absolutely lovely, so I’m giving this five stars because it’s a lovely place to visit! Hopefully the bird gardens will continue to improve their facilities, perhaps adding the kind of cage that you can walk inside - and perhaps have more indigenous birds.
4.3
(692)
4.0
(146)
263 Walker Road East, Aongatete 3178, New Zealand
12Akhila R — Google reviewAnna — Google reviewTania M — Google reviewSteve L — Google reviewTheresa D — Google reviewFadzai D — Google reviewDijana W — Google review•
Te Awamutu Space Centre
Science museum
Museums
Education center
Store
What a fantastic place to visit, especially with kids. None of us wanted to leave and we could spend hours there. So much to do for adults and kids. The entry fee is worth every single cent and is very good value for money. The virtual reality was our favourite. The attention to detail in the entire centre is incredible and Dave is a bottomless pit of information. Thank you for the wonderful experience. We will come back for sure. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ilse K — Google review
Dave is doing an awesome job keeping this amazing place running with almost all of his earnings. He is a true legend and he is living his dream making others dream. Loved this place and recommend all the people to visit this place that has a lot of knowledge and the virtual reality is great.
This was absolutely fabulous! We have all been raving about how fun an experience we all had - I honestly cannot recommend highly enough. Was a great experience for adults and kids alike. Dave has done a truly awesome job of curating a space that is incredibly kid friendly and super interactive plus interesting for the adults too! Costs $12 per adult, $8 per child and free for under 3 - so cheap and so worth it plus includes a cool VR experience too. We spent about an hour and a half here and honestly could have spent longer.
Definitely pop in, you won’t regret it!
What an incredible accident treasure we happened upon after missing our turn off. Loved all the space info and the amount of live screens with data blew our minds. We were even lucky enough to be able to look through a sun telescope and see sun flares. Totally recommended
After months of encouragement/pestering from my 7 year old space mad boy we decided to come here as a family ( he had been before and had always wanted come back with the rest us to show us around). It may not be as fancy as some museums but you can tell it has been put together with a lot of passion and imagination. There is a huge amount of relevant information that is really well laid out and easy to follow, which is an aspect that has been overlooked in many museums I have been to. There is also a lot of interactive screens, interesting space memorabilia and a huge array of space books (as a mechanic I fell in love with the collection of Haynes Manuals on the space equipment, I could have read them for days) The VR show is really well done and is a must do also. I loved the fact that there is a lot geared towards kids including the opportunity to earn badges for doing quizzes and other trivial type worksheets. Great way to spend a few hours with the kids if they are into space and a great place for adults to expand their knowledge and their minds. Really enjoyed this place and we will return. Booking in online isn't necessary but it is appreciated if you do.
We had a fantastic day here, stayed for about two and a half hours. There is so much to do we could have easily stayed longer!!
Will definitely be back, thanks Dave for sharing all your knowledge with us!!
Amazing place to visit, great service. Was a parent helper for a group of young primary school kids, really enjoyed and explored so much. Virtual reality was a breathtaking experience.
Such an awsome experience the VR headsets and the Lego displays were our favourite part. Highly recommend if you have children who are into learning about space.
4.8
(261)
5.0
(158)
5 Whitmore Street, Kihikihi 3800, New Zealand
13Serina D — Google reviewRaihah R — Google reviewD B — Google reviewJosh S — Google reviewJeanna W — Google reviewEm V — Google reviewNataly M — Google review•
Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours
Mentioned on
Tours
Movie & TV Tours
Day Trips
Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours offers a unique experience for movie buffs and travelers alike. Visitors can explore the picturesque sheep farm used for filming Shire scenes, complete with guided tours, a gift shop, cafe, and inn. The highlight of the tour is the opportunity to step into an authentic Hobbit Hole, featuring fully themed rooms that were previously only seen as external facades.
We visited the Hobbiton movie set in November 2025, and what a great experience it was. We are not huge fans, but I have read the LOTR and Hobbit books, and we both saw the movies, so lots of places and stories felt familiar. Most of the Hobbit holes have been built after the movie shooting was done, and there is ongoing construction to build even more. Being here in spring was perfect, so many flowers and lovely weather.
Upon arriving at the visitor center, you need to check in at the ticket booth (we had make online reservations) and then stand in line for your tour - they leave every 10 min. There are bathrooms and a cafe if you arrive early. The group then boards a bus, which drives about 10 min through green hills with sheep, while you get to see some movie clips. Then the group will be taken on a 1.5h walk through the outdoor set, which leads you alongside many hobbit holes. Noelle, our guide, did a great job explaining details about which scene was taken where, which artifacts were real or fake, etc. The attention to detail was stunning; most hobbit homes have a theme, so you can guess what the owners do for a living (bee keeping, fisherman, etc.). We even got to visit one of the homes from the inside, which was the highlight of the tour for me. The home had lots of rooms, including bedrooms for the children, a cat bed, recipe books, a pot of boiling water, and lovely decorated china with leftover cake or cheese. Those hobbits love to eat!
At the end of the tour, we all got a complimentary (non-alcoholic) ginger beer or 'real' beer from a local brewery (other drinks also available), before we walked back to the bus. Highly recommended!
Elisabeth B — Google review
Hobbiton was amazing! Beware though, it books up months in advance, so definitely book way ahead of time. For the tour itself, the Shire is stunning - it has truly breathtaking landscapes and gardens. Our tour guide Mira was fantastic and provided a lot of great LOTR facts. The complimentary drink from The Green Dragon Inn was very tasty and you can buy bottled drinks from their gift shop exclusive to Hobbiton. We wanted to do the Evening Banquet Tour but it was booked up so we did the day tour which was still great. We got lunch at the cafe after which had lots of tasty options. Walking through the houses was also a very special treat since it’s only been open since 2023. Overall, we are so happy we got to experience this!
Visited the Hobbiton Movie Set in September 2025 and it was a truly magical experience, a must-visit for any “Lord of the Rings” or “The Hobbit” fan! Even if you’re not a huge fan of the movies, the beauty and charm of this place will win you over instantly. From the moment we stepped off the bus and saw the rolling green hills dotted with colorful hobbit holes, it felt like stepping straight into Middle-earth.
The guided tour was excellent — our guide was enthusiastic, funny and shared plenty of behind-the-scenes stories about how the movie set was built and filmed. Every detail was so well preserved, from the tiny mailboxes and laundry lines to the perfectly maintained gardens. The whole area looked exactly like it does in the films, only even more vibrant in person.
We took tons of photos and every corner was picture-perfect. The weather in early spring was ideal, fresh air, blue skies and blooming flowers all around. The highlight for us was enjoying a complimentary drink at The Green Dragon Inn, which completed the magical experience.
Everything was well-organized, from the ticketing to the bus transfer and tour timing. The staff were warm and welcoming, adding to the overall charm.
Hobbiton is pure movie magic brought to life, charming, beautifully maintained and full of heart. Whether you’re a Tolkien fan or just love scenic spots, this is an experience you’ll never forget! Recommended 👍
Absolutely amazing!! Just magical and enchanting. The tour guide, Rob, was very knowledgeable, funny, kind, and super friendly as well. The hobbit holes are so incredibly detailed and well kept, it’s all very impressive! You get to go inside a hobbit house and take photos in it and see all the rooms, very cool. And a complimentary drink (I recommend the stout), just wow! I’ll definitely go back if I am ever in NZ again.
We did the behind the scenes tour and it was a truly magical experience.
Our tour guide (Hayden) was enthusiastic, friendly, funny and very knowledgeable! We knew we were in for a good one when we saw his lotr tattoos!
Hobbiton massively surpassed our expectations and The Green Dragon was a lovely cosy pub!
The spread for the meal was really excellent and the food was absolutely delicious. My wife is a vegetarian and was very happy with the fried Tofu provided for her.
It was a real treat to walk around the workshop seeing designs on the wall and the craftspeople in action working on fixing and repairing pieces for the hobbit holes.
If you love Lord of the Rings this is an absolutely unmissable experience.
What am awesome experience. BOOK IN ADVANCE!!! I booked my nighttime banquet 6 months in advance and almost did not get a spot. You will not regret the banquet. Loved our tour guides, having the place practically to yourself (small group), actually going into a Hobbit hole and seeing the entire inside set up. And ending with dinner and an amazing lantern walk back to the busses.
Forget Disneyland, this place is the most magical spot in the world! Walking through the site is like stepping straight into Middle-earth. It’s so surreal; the whole experience is something you have to experience. I visited Hobbiton twice during my trip to New Zealand and each time it was just as enchanting.
If you ever get the chance to visit, I absolutely cannot recommend it enough! It’s a must-see for any fan of the movies or anyone who just loves breathtaking scenery. Plus, they even give you a free mug at the end of the tour, which is a lovely little bonus!
Honestly, it’s 100% worth it…such a special place. Just go!!!!! :)
A Truly Magical Experience at Hobbiton Movie Set
We recently booked our tour of Hobbiton, and I can confidently say that the experience exceeded all expectations. Unfortunately, our flight to Auckland was delayed, and the traffic on the way to the set was much heavier than anticipated, causing us to arrive late. However, when we contacted the team, they were incredibly understanding and kind. They assured us that we'd still be able to take the full tour, and they made sure we had a complete, unforgettable experience.
Hobbiton itself is already a magical place, with its lush landscapes and charming hobbit holes, but what really made our visit extraordinary was the warmth and charisma of the staff. The team’s enthusiasm and passion truly elevate the magic of the place, and it’s clear they love what they do. Their friendliness and dedication made all the difference and helped create a truly immersive experience.
I would absolutely visit again and highly recommend anyone to make the trip to Hobbiton. It’s an enchanting place, and with the amazing people who work there, it's an experience you won’t forget!
4.8
(23789)
4.5
(10802)
501 Buckland Road, Matamata 3472, New Zealand
14Catie C — Google reviewMeinard L — Google reviewVicky W — Google reviewEranga A — Google reviewFiorella M — Google reviewBramwell S — Google reviewElysia K — Google review
Matamata Visitor Information Centre
Tourist information center
Souvenir store
Visitor Centers
Such a lovely lil' visitor center in a cute town near Hobbiton. There are many maps, pamphlets, and souvenirs. You can also mail postcards here. The exterior of this building is amazing, too, especially if you love Hobbit homes. 🏡
Justine B — Google review
Lovely information centre :) they had maps, hobbiton merch, the whole centre was themed on a hobbit house :)
Love the vibe of this area. Went here after Hobbiton Movie Set to meet up with friends and family for dinner. While we waited we took pictures around and enjoyed the small town feel. Area was chill and I might have seen a few hobbitsesss walking about. Love the "Welcome to Hobbiton" sign (dumb of me to forget to take a pic). Great experience!
My 2 grandchildren were curious about the contents of the building. We found an excellent range of tourist products. We were not there to shop but I was impressed by the range and the presentation. One staff member offered the girls a free balloon or sweets, after checking with me that it was okay,which was very kind.
provide a comprehensive, impartial information and booking service for Matamata, Waikato and New Zealand for accommodation, activities, attractions and travel bookings.( Hobbiton tour tickets😀)
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday – Sunday & Public Holidays: 9:00 am – 4:00pm
Closed Christmas Day
Building very cute
Good attention
I was hoping to see someone for the tour (there is a table for this but haven’t seen anyone)
Lovely souvenirs but those you can find in Amazon I was hoping for something more special
In front of the hobbiton sign
Lovely little town
With a great central business district, with great restaurants pub and cafes, visiting the Hobbiton movie set was a delight and the food there was great too. But be warned weary travellers! Be warned of the cave troll that operates the Information site. The trolls name is Gail and she’s a witch that weaves a web of deceit. She will claim there is only one taxi in town to take you to the hobbit city.
She will call a number and identify herself by name- soon after a scam taxi will arrive and demand 30$ a person - or 120$ for a ten km ride- there only. Gandalf only knows what the goblin taxi driver will charge for a ride back. We had the taxi drive us to our rental and just drove ourselves. 13$- One of us had to stay sober at the Green Dragon pub but it was worth it. Lovely experience overall but don’t let yourself get scammed by Gail the troll or her goblin henchman taxi driving friend. Those two are working together and we didn’t trust them. There are lots of other taxis available. A stain on an otherwise lovely day.
Matamata visitor centre:
After booking the online ticket,take it from a kind staff and wait a hobitton shuttle bus at out of the centre. Let's go to the hobitton movie set
15Thomas W — Google reviewNatalie B — Google reviewDavid B — Google reviewAlison B — Google reviewFlorjan C — Google reviewLuke M — Google reviewLaureen L — Google review•
Sanctuary Mountain - Maungatautari
Mentioned on
Ecological park
Nature & Parks
Islands
Sanctuary Mountain - Maungatautari, also known as the 'floating mountain,' is a vast mainland conservation island in New Zealand. It offers three enclosures featuring wetlands, old-growth forests, and native birdlife. The area provides various hiking trails suitable for families, from challenging hikes to gentle bushwalks. As one of New Zealand's largest eco-sanctuaries, it serves as a predator-free haven for endangered native species like kiwi and kaka.
This was a Must Do and finally everything came together and we managed to go . Thanks to Rosie for the short guided tour explaining just SOME of the reasons Maungatautari was entirely fenced . This Sanctuary is all self funded so every tour/self guided walk, food, gifts and $$ spent go back to the Sanctuary. Please Go do this the tracks are great , we'll maintained , lots of great information. Highly Recommend Sanctuary Mountain.
Brian M — Google review
Amazing place! The team here is so passionate about protecting NZ’s native wildlife, and the guided walks are first class. A must-visit if you want to see the beauty of our forests and learn how we can help protect them. I will be back in late spring for sure.
This is an incredibly gorgeous and serene place to visit! We had a very knowledgeable tour guide and learned so much. There was a lot of birds to spot and different walking trails you could follow. The night tours are best for people interested in nocturnal creatures like arachnids and insects. You will definitely need comfortabke shoes and a reasonable amount of fitness if you're wanting to keep up with a tour - the walk is all uphill.
Great experience with our special guide "Lyn of Tawa"; very knowledgeable and tolerated my endless cheeky questions. Staff could not have been more friendly. Birdsong seems to be a given but catching them in photos is let's say "challenging" :)
This ecological preserve and trust is absolutely breathtaking and that applies to both its size and what can be seen within. The people who run the visitor center are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and can answer any question you could possibly have and them some. The land is surrounded by 26 miles of predator proof fence, so the wildlife inside is protected and thriving. We saw so many birds enjoying the space, even some endangered ones- a surprising and hopeful sight. Highly recommend. Donate on top of the admission fee, if possible.
A beautiful place to visit! Abundant bird song (and sightings) and lush green undergrowth. We did the Te Raki and Te Tonga tracks over the mountain which were a great little adventure (comparable to a DOC “tramping” track).
Nice spot. Definitely like what they are doing with the place & being my first time going there not knowing what to expect. Almost had it to myself arriving early. Wasn't expecting to pay that much to see it though. Tbh thought it was more a donation & not $32. But that wasn't a worry.
We journeyed from Mid Atlantic US. This was well worth the travel. Imogene was our guide. Our tour was highly educational and completely enjoyable as Imogene has a sense of humor about the sometimes shy avian residents. The fence, its size and its monitoring including volunteer involvement was truly impressive. Saw several birds, was able to identify more with our birdsong app with the NZ download which added approx. 60 bird calls. Fun to watch as they darted around the canopy. Binoculars are helpful and comfortable shoes a must. All in our party easily completed the walk. Visitor’s center is educational and fun as well.
4.8
(732)
5.0
(200)
99 Tari Road, Pukeatua 3880, New Zealand
Create your ultimate travel itinerary
Plan your itinerary, find lodging, and import reservations — all in one app.
16D B — Google reviewKylie W — Google reviewAli N — Google reviewIvy C — Google reviewJohanna H — Google reviewA K — Google reviewLinda F — Google review
The Boatshed Kayaks
Tour agency
Tours
Kayaking & Canoeing
Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Absolutely enjoyed the experience and highly recommend it to anyone! We had Jack and Lochy as our guides, such lovely lads.
It was the calmest day on the water anyone could ever ask for. We had total of 8 kayaks in our group. We took our time to paddle out to the Pokaiwhenua Stream, the scenery is just beyond words, so quiet and calm.
We then stopped for some snacks organised by The Boatshed Kayaks, cheese and crackers (my fav), toasted marshmallows (my husband's fav), chocolate biscuits, wine and/or hot chocolate.
It was dark when we packed up and headed out, which was intentional, because this is when you get to see the amazing glow worms along the stream in the dark. We travelled along the stream very slowly with each guide taking 4 Kayaks human-chained next to each other. There's no rush, we just floated on the water and Jack gave us the info about glow worms and the area.
Made it back to shore around 10.30pm, safe and sound, and dry!
Come and join The Boatshed Kayaks for the Glow Worms Adventure Tour, you will get an unforgettable experience. Thank you Richard and his team for the amazing experience.
Janice T — Google review
We had kids from 11 to 13 and adults who had never kayaked, we had 2xdouble kayaks driving in circles and they ended up getting towed by our lovely guides but the other 5 double kayaks were sweet and once we got to destination they lit a small fire got us drinks told us to toast marshmallows and cheese and crackers and biscuits came out too we were supplied blankets to sit on for picnic and were able to use them if we were chilly for ride home. Noone fell out of kayaks and on the way back we grouped up to head back we enjoyed slowly floating back seeing the many many glow worms and the guide jack was amazing at explaining everything and giving us details on the glow worms and the night sky he was a great host. It didn't feel rushed which was great and everyone had a good time.
An absolutely amazing experience! The guide was knowledgeable and made the trip both fun and informative. The sea kayaks were stable, making it an easy and enjoyable paddle.
The glow worms were truly mesmerizing—a magical sight that made the journey even more special. The added touch of wine, cheese, and crackers was perfect, and for those not drinking, the hot chocolate and s’mores were a great treat.
Highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable adventure!
Were enjoyable experience! Highly recommend it. If you try to book when the sky is clear with no moon, you will also have the chance for stargazing!
Richard was amazing and very professional.
Our group (adults & kids) have had an unforgettable kayak trip last Friday! The tour guide were very professional and friendly, this is probably the closest and largest number of glow worms I have ever seen in my life so far, and there were full of stars in the the sky which was breathtaking! We enjoyed every moment, highly recommend this activity and company to everyone!!
We are group of 16, 9A and 7C. Emma Rose Trent are the most professional patient fun guides we can ask for! We had absolutely blast!!!!!! The bonfire on the riverside and kayaking along the glow worms were beyond our expectation. Definitely recommend!
We had a wonderful time! We were a little bit late and our tour guide Blake was really nice guy. He waited us for 20 minutes. The kayaking was really fun. He also told us a lot about the glow worms. It's was a trip of life time according to the three boys. Part of the adventure was has a camp fire and toasted marsh mellow. It's Scouts style activity. The glow worm was and the night sky full of stars are just breathtaking! We had an unforgettable night.
We made the major mistake of hiring the sit on kayaks and weren't given any indication that they wouldn't be suitable for kayaking for a decent distance or length of time. One of us is quite large and really it wouldn't take their weight and was hardly above the water and they didn't think to let us know that this wouldn't be suitable for the trip we told them we were going to do. .When we mentioned this on return they seemed pretty ambivalent and admitted we should have hired different ones if we had wanted to kayak to the waterfalls. Which we told them at the beginning. Was the worst kayak experience we have ever had and we all usually really enjoy kayaking so it was very disappointing.
17Kevin B — Google reviewB B — Google reviewJugraj 1 — Google reviewSARGES’ F — Google reviewDean C — Google reviewMichael M — Google reviewEvan G — Google review•
Mount Maunganui
Mentioned on
Mountain peak
Outdoor Activities
Hiking Trails
Mount Maunganui, an extinct 232m-tall volcano, offers jogging trails and stunning views of the city and harbor. The area is bustling with bars and restaurants that take happy hour seriously, offering daily deals on food and drinks. Visitors can explore the walking trails around the mountain leading to its summit or venture to Moturiki Island for a different perspective. The Mauao Base Track provides a scenic 3.
One of my must stops with my daughter was the Mount. Memories were made that will last a life time. We actually visited twice. Once to walk around the base and the 2nd to go to the top. HIGHLY recommended as a part of any trip there.
Brad D — Google review
Free. Good selection of walks for all levels of fitness. Great views of the surrounding area. Of course the walk to the summit is best for the views.
Well maintained tracks. Great views once you get there.
Breathtaking view from the summit! A bit of a challenge going up with kids but so worth it. Lots of people going up and going down, went there in the afternoon.
Very nice mountain i love walking up. Track is very nice and view
Stupid me, didn’t take my phone on the walk to the summit so I can’t share the stunningly beautiful scenery 😢
Definitely worth the walk to energize your soul and feel at one with nature. Easy enough walk to get the blood flowing without being too strenuous. Having said that, there are different trails to choose from depending on your energy levels and availabilities.
The pictures I did take were from across the port
Phenomenol view. Amazing views.
Quite a challenge steep track but doable for most, especially if you're unfit you can take breaks should you need.
If you're fit, you'll do this in 30-40 mins steady walking.
Loved it.
Amazing place to hike up, around 230m vertical climb in total. In September there were sheep and lambs galore and beautiful views in all directions.
There is the possibility to do several tracks to get up to the top of the mountain. All of them get steep after one point and have different ways (steps/path). On the top you have a beautiful view on the beach and to other places as Tauranga city and the island on the other side. You can also do a walk around the mountain at the bottom of the mountain which takes about an hour.
4.8
(266)
4.8
(2769)
3116, New Zealand
18Kevin B — Google reviewB B — Google reviewJugraj 1 — Google reviewSARGES’ F — Google reviewDean C — Google reviewMichael M — Google reviewEvan G — Google review•
Mount Maunganui
Mentioned on
Mountain peak
Outdoor Activities
Hiking Trails
Mount Maunganui, an extinct 232m-tall volcano, offers jogging trails and stunning views of the city and harbor. The area is bustling with bars and restaurants that take happy hour seriously, offering daily deals on food and drinks. Visitors can explore the walking trails around the mountain leading to its summit or venture to Moturiki Island for a different perspective. The Mauao Base Track provides a scenic 3.
One of my must stops with my daughter was the Mount. Memories were made that will last a life time. We actually visited twice. Once to walk around the base and the 2nd to go to the top. HIGHLY recommended as a part of any trip there.
Brad D — Google review
Free. Good selection of walks for all levels of fitness. Great views of the surrounding area. Of course the walk to the summit is best for the views.
Well maintained tracks. Great views once you get there.
Breathtaking view from the summit! A bit of a challenge going up with kids but so worth it. Lots of people going up and going down, went there in the afternoon.
Very nice mountain i love walking up. Track is very nice and view
Stupid me, didn’t take my phone on the walk to the summit so I can’t share the stunningly beautiful scenery 😢
Definitely worth the walk to energize your soul and feel at one with nature. Easy enough walk to get the blood flowing without being too strenuous. Having said that, there are different trails to choose from depending on your energy levels and availabilities.
The pictures I did take were from across the port
Phenomenol view. Amazing views.
Quite a challenge steep track but doable for most, especially if you're unfit you can take breaks should you need.
If you're fit, you'll do this in 30-40 mins steady walking.
Loved it.
Amazing place to hike up, around 230m vertical climb in total. In September there were sheep and lambs galore and beautiful views in all directions.
There is the possibility to do several tracks to get up to the top of the mountain. All of them get steep after one point and have different ways (steps/path). On the top you have a beautiful view on the beach and to other places as Tauranga city and the island on the other side. You can also do a walk around the mountain at the bottom of the mountain which takes about an hour.
4.8
(266)
4.8
(2769)
3116, New Zealand
19•
Main Beach Wave Pool
Outdoor Activities
Beaches
5.0
(1)
4.7
(1671)
4 Marine Parade, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga 3116, New Zealand
20Eranga A — Google reviewChethiya R — Google reviewRichardL — Google reviewNana E — Google reviewHelen R — Google reviewBecome G — Google reviewSonja M — Google review•
McLaren Falls Park
Mentioned on
Park
Nature & Parks
Waterfalls
McLaren Falls Park is a stunning destination located on Lake McLaren, offering a variety of activities for visitors. The park features picturesque bushwalks spanning over 190 hectares, with the highlight being a hike to a beautiful waterfall. One of the park's unique attractions is the opportunity to witness magical glow worms at night along the stream in the bush. Additionally, visitors can enjoy picnics, camping, and kayaking by the lake.
Really good walks and views throughout the park. One part is like a jungle of native trees and ferns. Well worth the trip!
William T — Google review
Here at McLaren Falls you are able to camp, kayak, go fishing, swimming, have a picnic or treat yourself to one of the many walking tracks.
The park is popular all year round, but autumnal colours make it particularly appealing during the season of autumn.
Camping is available for a maximum stay of three nights. All the grassed area is available to campers except Cherry Bay. Camping at McLaren Falls is based on first in first serve.
If you’re in the Tauranga / Bay of Plenty area and want a chill nature-escape that ticks the “beautiful view” box without too much hassle, McLaren Falls Park is absolutely worth a visit. Whether you’re going for a couple of hours, a picnic or even overnight, you’ll leave feeling refreshed.
Water falls exceeded expectations. Large volume and full noise. Really impressive.
A short drive to the park gave us clean toilets and nice walk to a smaller fall and a beautiful, serene lake. Wish we had more time to linger and soak in the peace and quiet. Really uplifting
Great views of the lake and surrounding views, plenty of picnic places and well marked hiking trails.
The actual falls are amazing, the whole park would be a great place to stay as so much to explore if you have time.
A striking landscape featuring multiple small waterfalls cascading over dark, rocky terrain. I made it a stop on my way to Matamata, after a 1.5-hour drive from Ōhope Beach.
The most immersive natural beauty in a green environment with plenty of birdlife and majestic trees overhead that the BOP have to offer. Great picnic spots and stunning waterfalls and lake. Don’t forget the lovely cafe where you can get spoilt even more. It’s idyllic
4.7
(1145)
4.7
(439)
190 McLaren Falls Road, Omanawa 3171, New Zealand
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21Alison T — Google reviewRaihah R — Google reviewAroha R — Google reviewLynda — Google reviewBianca H — Google reviewJing Y — Google reviewMichael B — Google review•
Te Waihou Blue Springs (Whites Road entrance)
Mentioned on
Sights & Landmarks
Hiking area
Scenic Walking Areas
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway), Whites Road entrance offers a mesmerizing experience with its stunning blue and green water, surrounded by hillsides and regenerating bush. The well-maintained track provides photo opportunities and a chance to spot trout in the clear spring water. The walk, approximately 9km round trip, takes about 4 hours including stops. While some parts can be narrow and there are steps, it's an easy walk overall.
absolutely stunning! 🌿💧 The water is crystal clear with the most beautiful shades of blue and green, and the walk along the river is peaceful and refreshing. It’s the perfect spot to relax, take photos, and enjoy nature. The track is well maintained and easy to walk, suitable for all ages.
Highly recommend visiting if you want to experience one of New Zealand’s most beautiful natural places. Truly magical! ✨
Bansi P — Google review
An amazing walk. Took us 3 hours there and back with half hour for lunch. The river is crystal clear and the colours stunning - a hidden gem. The walk is easy a farm track and wooden walkway in places plus some stairs running alongside the river.
Visited Te Waihou Blue Springs in September 2025 and it was one of the most beautiful natural spots we saw in New Zealand. The colour of the water is absolutely unreal, crystal clear with a vibrant blue and turquoise hue that looks almost magical. The clarity is so incredible that you can see the plants and pebbles beneath the surface perfectly. No wonder this spring supplies some of the world’s purest drinking water!
The walking trail is peaceful and well-maintained, with plenty of scenic viewpoints along the way. We took our time strolling, stopping often for photos because every corner looked stunning. The reflections of the trees and sky in the clear water created a calm, dreamlike view. The sound of running water and the surrounding greenery made the whole experience so soothing.
It’s an easy and relaxing walk suitable for all ages, just remember to wear comfortable shoes. We visited in early spring and the weather was perfect — cool, bright and not crowded.
Te Waihou Blue Springs is a true gem for nature lovers and photographers. You can’t help but be amazed by its beauty. A must-visit stop if you’re traveling around the Waikato region!
The walk itself is great. It gets busy so if there's been rain expect alot of mud and bring extra shoes and/or clothes to change into if you're not waterproofed lol. There's toilets along the trail as well but the one in the middle of the trail about 3kms in is out of order. They also aren't maintained so bring loo paper with you and hand sanitiser should you need to go. Water is freezing if you dare take a dip.
The amazing blue springs offer an easy walk with two different entrances. We chose the Leslie Road access and found the footpath to be very well-maintained, so much so that our shoes stayed clean and mud-free.
The water is incredibly clear; if you look closely, you can spot native fish swimming. It's also mesmerizing to watch the waving seaweed, which almost looks like a mythical water creature moving with the current. The area provides plenty of spots for a picnic and for taking beautiful photos.
Can't believe this place is real!!
We parked at the car park that's a bit further away from the main area of the blue springs, which was about an hour walk one way. It's quite easy and mostly flat but not really covered, so make sure to bring a hat and sunscreen! It's totally worth to walk along the river side to the main area, it's just unbelievable how clear and beautiful this water is!
The views were amazing and the water was supremely clear !! I went in from the Whites Road entrance. So, it was a 2-3km walk along the trail before reaching the other end where the viewing platform is. Make sure you come when the weather is good. Some parts of the trail can get muddy when wet.
Lovely hike with nice blue river! Did not know another access point existed for a much shorter hike. Nevertheless, the views along this longer hike were great!
4.7
(659)
4.5
(221)
Whites Road, Putāruru 3483, New Zealand
22Keith G — Google reviewIan S — Google reviewHelen G — Google reviewNikki S — Google reviewSekhar R — Google reviewJosiah H — Google reviewAllan W — Google review•
Comvita Café and Shop
Permanently Closed
Coffee store
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
I had a wonderful trip to the Comvita store. Nikki provided a wonderful tour of the store, fully explaining all about the history of Comvita, Manuka honey and the various health benefits.
The store also sells products that are currently only available at their store which is a great present for home.
One should really also try the honey ice cream from the adjoining cafe. It’s so yummy!
In the end i left feeling knowledgeable and with plenty of honey for the family. 🐝🍯
Moritz — Google review
We went here for morning tea purely out of curiosity. The cafe is well appointed, tidy and spacious. It adjoins a retail space filled with Comvita products where you can taste different honeys and view an enclosed live hive. Regular bee education tours start from here at a cost of $10. We had earl grey and English breakfast tea. Both came in infuser pots..nice touch. The earl grey was what I know as lady grey but was good none the less. Refreshing to be provided with a generous quantity of milk. I ordered the blue cheese and caramelized onion quiche as a take away. It came with a good salsa and a salad and was especially delicious for gluten free fare. This place was reasonably busy and is obviously on the tourist trail. Limited menu but very well done. I will bring visitors here. A great venue!
Not like a nice ice cream on a hot day. Nice selection of food. Great tasting coffee. Added bonus of being in the comvita premises and next door to their store. Buy your honey products then have something to eat.
We had a simply gorgeous visit and so enjoyed our chat to the tour guide. Lots to learn and be enthralled by. My, bees are wonderful creatures. Fabulous products too.
Poor customer Service.
I went to the shop this week, my first time to purchase products from them & not a honey person, I spent quite a bit of time trying to decide what to buy. Staff were about, but didn't bother coming to see me. After approx 10 mins I gave up & took the cold tablets and $20 jar of honey to the counter. A lady was sitting behind the counter but had her head down into her phone, a couple of "ahems" but she never looked up, so I went to the cafe counter. I then got brought back to the shop counter by a staff member who gave a lousy excuse why the other lady never looked up from her phone, just at that time a cruise ship bus turned up and all staf leaped into action. Meanwhile this semi local, who possibly would come back to purchase more was ignored, the cruise ship passengers won't be back, so perhaps looking after local customers would be a good idea also. Unfortunately I won't buy again due to this service, its alot of money to spend on a small jar of honey, so some service to make sure I got one I liked would have been amazing.
Excellent place to have a break when you drive along this side. Beautiful outdoor and indoor atmosphere. Cafe is handy. The retail shop is very appealing.
Awesome coffee, good selection of food to choose from. Beautiful outdoor area to sit and enjoy a good visit.
Good coffee and nice but limited cabinet food. A quick refreshment stop.
4.1
(51)
4.0
(52)
23 Wilson Road South, Paengaroa 3189, New Zealand
23Maja P — Google reviewA T — Google reviewCarol A — Google reviewBenjamin M — Google reviewAli M — Google reviewSam S — Google reviewG K — Google review•
Rainbow Springs Nature Park
Mentioned on
Permanently Closed
Nature preserve
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Rainbow Springs Nature Park, established in 1932, is a popular destination in New Zealand for encountering native wildlife, particularly the iconic kiwi bird. The park is dedicated to conservation efforts and offers interactive experiences such as the Kiwi Encounter shows and a live kiwi foraging exhibit. Visitors can also enjoy attractions like the Big Splash rides and a dynamic Bird Show featuring exotic species.
What a wonderful adventure.
We arrived early to beat the tour buses & crowds. It was so worth it.
Got to walk the park at our leisure & see the exhibits without the crowds was a treat.
Got see the birds getting fed & the Kiwi exhibit was fantastic. ❤️
Fed the fish & the ducks.
If you can, arrive early for the best experience. Let’s you see the critters without fighting for a view. Feeding time is a treat.
Staff are VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE & friendly. I learned so much.
The exhibits & enclosures are well described & presented.
Park is easy to navigate. Parking is no problem.
I’m going back again in 2019.
We also hit the mountain & did the. Luge & it was a blast.
Glen S — Google review
I loved the park because of its variety of display. You can see different animals with little descriptions about them. Water splash is very entertaining for adults and kids. And my favorite, I got a chance to see Kiwi birds.
Wasn't so happy that, I admit it was my mistake, to accept the offer of seeing the park myself, by the cashier lady, rather than having a guide . Few spots were closed for public and that was also not mentioned when purchasing ticket.
Definitely recommend going on the free guided tour if its your first time as you learn so much and is quite interesting. They have play areas and interactive learning spots located throughout to keep the kids busy on the way through. The big splash ride was cool but all the speakers throughout no longer worked which was very disappointing. The cafe was average tidy and nicely decorated but bathrooms were not cleaned often enough and the food was overpriced and just okay. They offer free shows through out the days which are quite interesting and fun for the kids.
This place is lush, a little paradise with tones of things for a family to see and do. I added on the hatchery tour and was not disappointed, we got to see two eggs ready to hatch, one had its little beak poking back and forth out of a small opening that it hd already made. This can take up to 5 days to fully hatch. Then we went through another room and they had a baby kiwi, held by one of the staff behind the glass, with another keeper feeding him meat. The most adorable thing ever. We then went through the enclosure to the darker area where there were three separated adult kiwis, moving about searching for insects. Fantastic. I then proceded to walk around to see the birds and eptile areas, it was a good display and the animals did not dissapoint. They have a cafe and gift shop and also very modern and clean looking toilets which is always a pleasent treat.
Awesome wildlife park in Rotorua with some unique features. The walk through the redwoods, aviaries and trout pools is the same as it ever was. They have added 'playscapes' along the way which is great to keep kids busy with physical activities and hands-on games. There's also an area with various water experiments to keep little minds busy. The jewel in the crown is, of course, the kiwi house where you can learn about the national bird and eventually (hopefully) see some for real in the nocturnal house. Beyond this there is a playground (currently undergoing refurbishment but still a small area to play in) and the 'Big Splash' ride by the cafe which is doesn't cost any extra but is looking a bit tired - the drop at the end is still a thrill tho.
Fun for the whole family. Some cheeky wee birds and relaxed reptiles. The waterfall makes for great photos. We managed to get a glimpse of the kiwi too.
A really lovely animal park, with an unmissable tour of the kiwi hatching centre. The information signs for each animal were much more fun and engaging than your typical animal park/zoo, which was good. We also enjoyed the (short but sweet) bird show and the log flume ride very much too. You'd be hard pushed to spend more than 3 hours here, but in that time there is plenty to keep you occupied!
If my review and photos were helpful to you, please give me a thumbs up 👍🏼 Thanks!
Beautiful small scale nature park. Great way to kill a few hours touring NZ. The kiwi encounter was very informative, however make note that you are not permitted to take photos or record video in the hatchery. If you are hoping to get a photo of the iconic bird live, you will not be able to. The additional cost you pay for this tour supports the program and sustainablity of the brown kiwi population.
4.3
(1739)
4.0
(2162)
192 Fairy Springs Road, Fairy Springs, Rotorua 3015, New Zealand
24
Tikitere
Mentioned on
Spas & Wellness
Hot Springs & Geysers
Spas
Tikitere, also referred to as 'Hell's Gate', is a district located in the vibrant geothermal region of Rotorua. Positioned on State Highway 30, it can be found between Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
4.3
(2943)
Rotorua 3074, New Zealand
25Shaun ( — Google reviewUmabdulrahman A — Google reviewKimberly H — Google reviewKaren R — Google reviewAmy L — Google reviewGabrielle R — Google reviewBree H — Google review•
Te Pa Tu - The Gathering Place
Mentioned on
Sights & Landmarks
Historic Sites
Te Pa Tu - The Gathering Place is a captivating cultural experience that immerses visitors in the rich traditions of the Maori people. Nestled within a stunning forest village surrounded by majestic Tawa trees, this attraction offers an enchanting evening filled with music, dance, and delicious seasonal cuisine known as kai. As you gather around blazing bonfires in a natural amphitheater, you'll be treated to performances that change with each season according to the maramataka, or Maori lunar calendar.
This experience was great! The village was beautiful in the dusk with soft rain and log fires burning outside little huts where we were taught some traditional Maori activities from this tribe. The whole thing was run by members of an extended family who were both funny and charming. The musical performances were of a very high standard and the feast was absolutely delicious ( and I am very particular about my food! ) - , excellent canapes,mussels, whitebait fritters, warm rolls with truffle butter, confi duck with watercress and orange salad, hanging cooked lamb, wagyu short rib, root veg. 3 little desserts each. Definitely the best food I've had in 5 weeks in N Z. Fun bus ride each way. Yes, it's touristy but they are open about this, wanting to share their culture with us and they created a very warm, welcoming and informative experience.
Annie — Google review
I’ve visited here twice - once in 2019 and again this month. I was disappointed the first time - most of those leading the tour didn’t seem like they wanted to be there, and it felt a bit half hearted. I also felt a little like I was tolerated, not welcomed, and sensed an arrogance from some people we encountered. This time was totally different. There was an amazing sense of warmth in the family’s welcome, and I sensed an incredible pride in their effort to show the world their culture. Their performance was the best I have seen anywhere (in any culture) - boy this family can sing! They are all incredibly friendly , engaging and intelligent. The food was stunning - a huge improvement over my last visit. I learned from our table host, Waitangi, that her father, the chief, took over after Covid. He has created something special here now, and is doing an amazing job as not only chief and host, but as a father - his children were incredibly gracious, welcoming and brilliant hosts as well as outstanding performers. Fantastic and very emotional experience. A must do when visiting Rotorua.
No matter what I write, I won’t be able to truly express how much I enjoyed being here.
This place is a cultural institute, school, and mini village dedicated to introducing visitors to the Māori people — the indigenous people of New Zealand.
It’s a large venue that requires prior booking. The staff warmly welcome you and explain the Māori culture, followed by a traditional performance featuring expressive movements and chanting that carry deep meaning.
Then, the team takes you on a tour near the hot volcanic rocks, ending with a luxurious international buffet dinner that includes all types of meats, chicken, seafood, desserts, and ice cream.
This center is considered one of the top tourist attractions when visiting Rotorua.
This was an experience of a lifetime. We started being greeted by the chief in a traditional Māori custom. We then ventured off to learn more about their culture, ancestry and ways of living. It was very hands on allowing guests to participate in their martial arts and other activities. The best part of this was after when the family who runs Te Pa Tu entertained us singing and dancing the Haka and other traditional songs. Their passion for their culture is immediately shown and is beautiful to witness. Afterwards, we were treated to a feast - which was no joke. They say they’ll feed you a lot which is an understatement. This was a FEAST with many appetizers, three meats, a variety of sides and an array of dessert. As someone who is a foodie, even I couldn’t keep up. I did have dietary restrictions of no seafood or pork which were happily accommodated by the staff an really only covered a small portion of what was offered. We booked the tour for 7:30pm and got back at 11pm. It was a really late night for us. This is a not-to-miss attraction. It was the best thing I’ve done in New Zealand hands down and one of the top travel moments I’ve ever had. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
This was an amazing experience! A great introduction to Maori culture and history. They make it a fun process and include guests in the experience. From the time they picked us up on the bus to the drop off, it was high energy and a great time! Thank you Sam for starting it off and to Dennis for finishing it on a high point!!! Great performers! Amazing voices! All the performers did a great job but the family with Emerson, Elisa, their brother and uncle were so strong together.... beautiful!!! The food was wonderful!!! Plenty to eat, great variety and beautifully presented! My whole family loved it! Would do this again for sure! Well worth the money!!!!
I have had the absolute joy of experiencing Te Pā Tū twice. The first time, I thought it to be so good, that I planned my family vacation around coming back, so that they too, could bare witness to Te Pā Tū's incredible performances, games and kai (food). The passion of the staff and artists is infectious and I found myself grinning ear to ear both times. Te Pā Tū feels like a big family that welcome you with open arms. I very much enjoyed participating in traditional Māori games and it was wonderful to see everyone get involved. Big Baz, you are a talented musician, people should pay just to simply hear you sing. Tiaana, as always, thank you for being a wonderful host. I count down the days until I am back on the doorsteps of Te Pā Tū. Kia ora!
We were picked up from our hotel by a shuttle and then continued by bus to the Maori village. We were welcomed with a ceremony. There were various stations where we spent 10-15 minutes learning about Maori culture. There were also canapés, which were very tasty. After finishing the stations, we were led to a foyer with a small stage. The things we learned at the stations were presented by our hosts in the "right way". The Haka was incredibly captivating. It's amazing how strong and overwhelming individual voices can be. Afterwards, we were invited to take our seats in a large hall and were served dinner. We were entertained very nicely at the end, with our hosts singing songs from different countries.
A truly unforgettable experience. It was one of the best cultural experiences we've ever had. A must-do when visiting Rotorua. A truly enriching experience for broadening your horizons about other cultures.
Great experience! A open culture that is willing to teach patiently and kindly. We loved all of it. The performances were powerful and you could feel the emotion of their words. Food was amazing! Lots of it too!
THE ONLY THING NEGATIVE id say is do not buy the wine package!! We paid $65 per person for the wine pass, but staff have to many people to serve so you end up paying that for 1 glass of wine that is not worth that much. Because there is no indication we bought the wine package, we got a bill for our drinks at the end that was $90. I explained we purchased the package and so they didn’t charge again but $90 for all of us was a lot cheaper then the package we bought.
4.6
(951)
4.5
(4626)
1220 Hinemaru Street, Rotorua city, Rotorua 3040, New Zealand
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26Ben S — Google reviewJonny J — Google reviewAilsa — Google reviewJ N — Google reviewShaun L — Google reviewNicky H — Google reviewEd — Google review•
Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ
Mentioned on
Nature & Parks
Cultural center
Te Puia in Rotorua, New Zealand is a Maori cultural center and geothermal preserve that offers a unique blend of nature and culture. Spanning 60 hectares, it features the impressive Pohutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, which erupts around 20 times a day. Visitors can choose between day and night experiences, with the latter offering an enchanting atmosphere under the starry sky.
We did the Te Pu combo and what an incredible experience! Well worth it! The guided tour to see the Kiwis and the Gysers was a brilliant start, then the buffet dinner was absolutely delicious, such a range of food to cater to all tastes and dietary preferences! The cultural display was stunning, so interesting to learn immersively about the Māori culture. Then onto the Gyers and light show at the end, which was a stunning end to a wonderful evening. This honestly is a do not miss
Ciara L — Google review
Te Puia is an absolutely stunning and fascinating place — the geothermal landscape, the geysers, and the deep Māori heritage make it truly unique and worth visiting. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the cultural spirit of the place is unmistakable.
However, the guided tour was quite disappointing. It felt overly long and slow-paced — 90 minutes, with at least half of that time spent standing around without much happening. While I fully understand that the tour is an important source of income for the Māori community, visitors also value their time and expect an engaging, well-structured experience.
Several people in our group clearly lost interest, which is unfortunate because Te Puia has so much to offer.
Suggested improvements:
• Shorten the tour to 45–60 minutes, focusing on the most interesting and meaningful parts.
• Add more interactive or live elements — demonstrations, Q&A sessions, brief performances, or moments for guests to engage directly.
• Consider offering two options: a standard tour and a premium cultural experience, so guests can choose the depth they want.
• Train guides to keep the storytelling dynamic, with more energy and interaction.
The place itself is extraordinary — it just deserves a tour program that matches its beauty and cultural significance. With a few thoughtful changes, Te Puia could easily become one of the most memorable experiences in New Zealand.
What an amazing experience! Our tour guide Hunter was fantastic and shared loads of interesting information about his people and culture.
It was so good to see the arts institute and the people keeping Maori culture alive. The geysers also put on a spectacular show for us, going off multiple times while we were there. We also got to see some Kiwis for the first time!
Then in the evening, the buffet was great, especially the Hangi cooked food! Then the cultural performance at the end was incredible.
Well worth the money as we had a blast for several hours!
Ka pai!
An absolutely amazing and informative day!
As two uk tourists who had never been to a geothermal area, and had only been in NZ for 3 weeks, this was the perfect place to learn about the geothermal activity in the area and how the people there view it.
We did the Tuku Iho trail, which was a perfect length of time, we saw everything and getting to eat the sweetcorn cooked in the hot pool was definitely one of the best parts. Paul our tour guide was so great, obviously very passionate and knowledgeable, chatted with us while we walked between sites, and really clear with his descriptions. It’s quite a lot of walking and not too much stopping (although we stopped by the hot pool while cooking/eating for 30 mins, and you could’ve sat for 15 mins while we watched the geysers), so be aware if walking for most of 3 hours would be too much for you.
Overall, an amazing day! Would recommend to anyone wanting to see the geothermal stuff as well as learning from someone who’s connected to the area.
The park itself is great, lots of info boards to read. The arts building is definitely worth a visit, it’s interesting to learn how their arts are made and to see the culture being supported with new apprentices all the time. Also a great gift shop if that’s something you like!
We saw the geysers errupting and the mud pools bubbling away so can’t complain. Not too busy in the park - end of November when we visited.
A truely wonderful experience and a must for visitors to not only Rotorua but to New Zealand and the magnificent islands. The beauty is how New Zealand has embraced the Māori culture and rich history. This experience includes everything from traditional dancing show to seeing the springs to a lovely buffet dinner. The attraction is only a 5 minute drive from town centre so is easy to reach, but make sure you book tickets in advance!
Enjoy
This is a must do if you visit Rotorua. From understanding Māori traditions, craft education, geothermal geysers, and kiwi conservation through to a fantastic cultural experience with song, dance and a haka. And yes if you are lucky you will get to see one of the kiwi birds in their nocturnal house. Our guide Ngahuia was excellent and was passionate about telling her tribe and ancestors story. A fantastic couple of hours.
Highly recommend a visit and make sure you book tickets in advance and ones that include the cultural performances.
Afterwards we visited the Pataki Kai cafe for a panini and drinks. Nice end to the visit.
This experience was fantastic. We did the Te Po combo. The guided tour through the school was so much more than I thought it would be. I learned a lot and I love the idea behind the school. Its such a lovely concept. The dinner was also great. I wasnt expecting much but the food options were plentiful and everything was so delicious. Cultural performance was stunning and fun and beautiful all at the same time. Seeing the geyser at night was beautiful. So peaceful and pretty. I highly recommend doing this option and taking in all the culture and history. Everyone who works at Te Puia is very passionate about their Mouri heritage. Thank you
This was an excellent 2-hour combo experience, which consisted of 3 parts: Māori arts and craft (with an introduction to the different schools and art forms), the valley of the geysers, and the dance performance. We also got to see a kiwi! It was well paced. Informative. The show was spectacular and we had wonderful views of the geysers. Also, the shop had the best NZ souvenir selection we saw in New Zealand.
4.5
(8507)
4.4
(6031)
20 Hemo Road, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
27Succulent A — Google reviewJonathan C — Google reviewS V — Google reviewGiao D — Google reviewLucivarSa — Google reviewP H — Google reviewEdward R — Google review•
Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village
Mentioned on
Sights & Landmarks
Cultural landmark
Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village is a cultural attraction located in the heart of Rotorua, New Zealand. It is the only living Maori village in the country and offers visitors a chance to experience the unique way of life of the Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao people. The village provides guided tours, traditional Maori dance performances, and a feast featuring authentic Maori food.
This place is so neat! The steam mud vents and the geysers were shooting out steam while we were there. What beautiful geothermal landscapes! And the bonus was that we were able to see the baby kiwi bird in the enclosures. So cool! There was no wait when we were there on a Saturday afternoon in May. You will need to go with a tour guide which will be organized after you buy your tickets. Highly recommend this visit.
Oc F — Google review
Great guide. She really brought the village to life with stories of her family and showing off the culinary skills of her people. Very friendly and wonderful town. Saw geysers, hot springs, and bubbling mud
I’m so glad I made time to do this and I highly recommend anyone going to give yourself a couple hours, buy the all day pass, and time it so you are there for their daily cultural performance at 12:30. It was worth every penny. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly and the performance and tour exceeded my expectations. Our guide, Daniel, was very patient and thoughtful. He made an effort to learn everyone’s name and took the time to genuinely try to teach us about the history, the culture, and the language. Huge thanks to everyone involved!
It is the legacy and home of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, who have been sharing their unique way of life with visitors from all around the world for over two hundred years. The village is open 7 days a week with guided tours. We signed on to one of the paid tours though we had to contend with a slight drizzle. The tour is comprehensive lasting about an hour and half and goes through the village people's fascinating daily life in the geothermal springs area. It includes the bathing, washing, herb cultivation, cooking and walking past their homes. We ate corn cooked in steam for few minutes. It tasted yummy. The historical chief's home and meeting place are well preserved and interesting to see. Sometimes you can watch a cultural show by the village people. The active geysers in the area can be seen during the tour. Toilets available. Very popular place, lots of tourists and locals. Uneven terrain, lot of walking. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Parking at the entrance is ample and is easy to find. There are many stores in the village selling craftwork items. Friendly staff and great service.
It was a rainy and cold day in Rotorua but it did not stop me from my very first “Maori experience”. It was very cultural and unique place to visit for tourists. The chief guided us through the village. She did it with all her hearts and respect to her culture. We really appreciated the visiting session.
We also booked the Haka show and it was very emotional and worthwhile. The artists performed wholeheartedly and the audience can definitely feel it. I highly recommend taking the tour to understand more about the Maori cultures while you are in New Zealand.
The guided tour at Whakarewarewa was amazing! We learned so much about life in the village and how people live with the geothermal landscape. Our guide was super friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience fun. A real highlight was trying the corn cooked in the hot springs—the flavour was exquisite! Highly recommend this village tour if you’re in Rotorua.
Excellent experience walking around the living village with our knowledgeable guide Wawi. He shared so much of his experience and knowledge even my young ones are highly engaged. It was perfect length for our family with young children and we got to see plentiful pools and geyser eruption. Would highly recommend this for family with little ones!
This is a MUST VISIT place as the 1st nation are the people that makes New Zealand . It was an eye opener especially when the chief was the one showing us around. We even tried their cooked food using the thermal springs to cook. Excellent
4.5
(3311)
4.4
(3297)
17 Tryon Street, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
28Chethiya R — Google reviewYK C — Google reviewVasile O — Google reviewRH E — Google reviewWillem L — Google reviewValeriy P — Google reviewSteve A — Google review•
Redwoods – Whakarewarewa Forest
Mentioned on
National forest
Nature & Parks
Forests
Redwoods – Whakarewarewa Forest is a picturesque redwood forest in Rotorua, New Zealand. It offers walking, biking, and horse-riding trails with convenient toilet facilities. The forest features majestic Californian redwoods reaching over 70 meters in height and beautiful native trees. Planted in the early 20th century, these redwoods have thrived and grow even faster than in their native habitat. The extensive network of mountain biking trails makes it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
Absolutely gorgeous experience. Lots of amazing and Beautiful trails to walk, various lengths so you can plan the day putting well. Moderate level of fitness required. Breathtaking views at one point. Lots of animals. There are even horse tracks and biking tracks also. Decent parking. Visitors centre here also. It's also the access area to the redwoods tree walk.
Gingerbeardclown — Google review
Absolutely stunning experience! Walking high among the giant redwoods felt peaceful and surreal. The forest smells amazing, and the views from the bridges are beautiful. I went for the night walk — the lights and soft music made it feel magical, almost cinematic. It’s a bit pricey for the length of the walk, but totally worth it for the atmosphere and photos.
The hiking trip was a great experience, made even better by the clear and easy-to-follow signage along the trails. The signs not only guided the way but also provided a range of walking options with different time durations, making it convenient to choose a route that suited our pace and preference. The variety ensured that both casual walkers and more seasoned hikers could enjoy the area comfortably.
We went just after a coupe of days of non-stop rain and personally was worried it will be ruined but found it just as exiting and quite fresh and alive due to the rain. Well worth the visit and highly recommended, even our 4 year old really enjoyed it.
There are several trails to select from. We walked the Green Trail which is a 5k loop. There are steps to get to the scenic overlook, but not too difficult. Throughout there are benches to rest and enjoy the peaceful forest. The trek is all about the towering Redwoods and worth the excursion.
We loved walking through the forest in the late afternoon with the sun piercing through. There was hardly anybody in the forest. Make sure to visit the creek, its stunning! Ample parking nearby and great signage so it’s hard to get lost!
Google Maps Review (short version):
⭐ 5.0 — “A magical forest that comes alive at night.”
When darkness falls, the forest doesn’t sleep — it glows.
Hundreds of gentle lights shimmer among the redwoods and ferns,
turning the night into pure enchantment.
Absolutely unforgettable experience. 🌌
We just did the half hour red route after doing the tree walk. Well worth strolling past the giant trees, there is a small rise, but all easy well marked trail: nothing too strenuous.
4.8
(4534)
4.7
(5275)
Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3074, New Zealand
29Elizabeth R — Google reviewJeremy D — Google reviewRoland — Google reviewAnqi — Google reviewIlayda E — Google reviewWill T — Google reviewCavanda F — Google review•
Waikite Valley Hot Pools
Mentioned on
Swimming pool
Nature & Parks
Hot Springs & Geysers
Nestled in a serene valley, Waikite Valley Hot Pools offers an unforgettable experience with its mineral-rich waters sourced from the renowned Te Manaroa Spring, New Zealand's largest single source of boiling water. As you soak in one of the six pools, ranging from 30 to 41°C, you'll be surrounded by lush geothermal ferns and the soothing sounds of nature. This hidden gem is perfect for families and friends alike, providing a tranquil escape year-round.
Arrived as soon as open and very popular place.. excellent experience, loved all the pools, had heaps of rain & couldn't fault the atmosphere..Very clean & tidy.. Nice size changing rooms, they have open lockers or pay to secure personal items.. Highly recommend this place, will return again..
Mark W — Google review
Beautiful spot. Amazing thermal pools with adjoining campground. Daily charge includes access to pools - multiple times if desired.
We visited several hot pools on our trek North and Waikite Valley was the hottest and the most "natural" in it's relationship to the environment. A very pleasant stay and a bargain at $79 for a powered site and all the hot soaks you could wish for
An absolute must place to visit, lovely hot pools and a variety of temperatures. Another must is to walk up the track, 10 minutes to see the source of the boiling water 98 degrees.
I’ve been here several times and usually had good experiences, but today was really disappointing. The water was really dirty and disgusting, and although the staff kept checking the temperature, they never seemed to notice or address the cleanliness. On top of that, a group of people were speaking loudly and being disruptive the whole time, yet no staff member stepped in to manage it.
Compared to another famous hot pool, which often has even more travelers and even large tour groups, the water there is always ok, and staff will remind guests to keep noise down if needed. This pool itself is good, but the management has some serious issues to improve.
Also, there are only two shower rooms in the ladies’ area, which means you often have to wait outside. That’s really inconvenient and wired design.
Breathtaking atmosphere and warm spring water, what more could you want.. event though It was a rainy day on a weekday, there were still quite a few people came 11am onwards. Lockers are easy to use, and the cafe seemed nice. Will be back for sure 😊
Our family had a wonderful experience at Waikite Valleh Hot Pools! The staff were nice and it was not crowded on a Tuesday in mid-March.
There are 4 pools and 2 tubs along with a nice 5-10 min trail to the hot spring source.
There is free parking at the car park too.
Absolutely loved it! Waikite Valley Hot Pools is way better than the ones in Rotorua city centre — more peaceful, surrounded by beautiful nature, and much more affordable. Highly recommended!
4.6
(1911)
4.5
(1340)
648 Waikite Valley Road, Waikite Valley 3077, New Zealand
30Ringa E — Google reviewPaul K — Google reviewNicky H — Google reviewNuclearranger — Google reviewGavin B — Google reviewMike H — Google reviewLara G — Google review•
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave
Mentioned on
Nature & Parks
Tour agency
Nestled in the Taupo Volcanic Zone on New Zealand's North Island, Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave is a captivating destination for nature lovers and adventurers. Accessible by boat or ferry, this geothermal wonderland boasts vibrant rock formations, steaming geysers, and bubbling mud pools set amidst lush native bush. Visitors can wander wooden pathways through the surreal landscape and even descend into subterranean caves with stunning rock formations.
Thoroughly enjoyed my visit. Surreal environment and scenery. I really loved that it was completely natural with beautiful native forest surroundings. There is clearly a lot of effort put in to keeping it so stunning and keeping weeds out. Truly magical. I also enjoyed eating at the Cafe afterwards and buying some souvenirs for family at home. The staff were friendly and helpful. I'm so glad I chose this geothermal park!
Raewyn J — Google review
Amazing place! This is the only geothermal park where dogs are allowed (on a leash only). It is a self-guided walk that is approximately 2 km, accessible via a short 2-minute boat trip. The price is very fair.
A well structured board walk experience after a small boat ride to the geo-thermal area across a small water area. The majority of the walk is on formed timber walkways and has handrails in place. There are also a couple of areas on small sections of earth walkways. Total walk time is about 90 mins. All of our group (3 family members) were happy we attended. Staff on-site were very friendly and helpful.
This was such a cool stop. We had already been to some geothermal areas so I wasnt sure how different this would be. It was stunning! The trails were lovely and an easy walk. You can go at your own pace. The boat takes you to and from the island on demand. We left and were picked up within minutes. Bring water because it is warmer than youd think walking around the trails, even on a cooler day. I heard about this place on the radio and Im so glad we added it to our drive.
We loved this.
It's a journey somewhat. Once you park you can buy a ticket and then immediately proceed to the boat landing. This will take you across a very small lake to the walkway.
The paths are very well kept.
The geological items consist of mud pits, geysers, boiling water, flows, and quite a bit of foliage.
Highly recommend, a full loop will take something like 90 to 120 minutes if you go slow, it's not super huge.
There are a few natural sites in New Zealand that will totally amaze you and ask yourself why travel abroad when we have these at our doorstep! Totally amazing! 634 steps around one of the wonder's of New Zealand from hot water coming out of the ground to boiling mud pools elephant shaped rock to an impressive cave! I also loved the boat ride over the waikato river to get there!. Massive friendly guide to speak.
A truly stunning and unique place! Beautifully set up with wooden walkways that guide you through fascinating volcanic activity — bubbling mud pools, steaming sulphur baths, colorful mineral deposits, and even small glaciers. The whole area feels alive with color and energy.
The experience starts with a short boat ride across the lake — the only way to reach the park. It’s such a special way to begin the visit, and we were the only ones on the boat, which made it feel even more peaceful and exclusive. Once you’ve bought your ticket, you can take the boat across at your own pace. When you’re done exploring, just ring the bell on the other side, and the boat comes to pick you up again.
The walk itself takes about 1.5 hours and is easy to follow, but the best part is how quiet it is. We saw maybe 20 people in total and spent most of the time completely on our own. A magical and unforgettable experience — highly recommended!
Absolutely incredible place that simply begs to be visited in New Zealand.
Here, geothermal fields and mountains feel like nature’s own spells — impossible to forget and impossible to resist. Bubbling mud pools wink at you playfully, warm rivers glide past like silky ribbons, and the quiet caves wrap you in an embrace so gentle and deep that a part of you happily stays there forever. ❤️
4.7
(1974)
4.5
(1172)
494 Orākei Kōrako Road, Taupo 3083, New Zealand
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