Rainbow Springs

Kiwis | Trout | Tuataras | Birds | And More

Rainbow Springs would have to feature right up there in my list of Rotorua's Top Ten Places To Visit.

Image courtesy of © Destination Rotorua Marketing
Rainbow Springs - Rotorua

What's unique about this attraction in Rotorua? The Kiwi hatchery and nursery.

There are not too many places in the world with something like that.

It didn't start out this way though. As you can probably guess by the name, this Rotorua attraction came into being as a spring. Beautifully fresh, icy, crystal clear water.

This water houses trout by the bucket load. You get to view them from above looking into the stream and also side-on with viewing windows in pools.

There are various types of trout living side by side like Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Tiger Trout and North American Brook trout… a fisherman's dream.

Tuataras - Image courtesy of © Destination Rotorua Marketing

What's more, animals and birds, both native and introduced are plentiful.

There are tuatara (often referred to as a lizard), skinks and geckos, arapawa island sheep, possum, donkeys etc.

Birds are everywhere. As well as the Kiwi, look for the Kea, Kaka, Tui, Ruru (Morepork), Kereru… it goes on and on.

Kiwis

The Kiwi House is where you will find the adult kiwis going about their business. Because kiwis are nocturnal they are kept in lowlight during the day to mimic night time. This way visitors get to see them (hopefully) hunting.

Kiwi food consists of insects, grubs and worms; they've even been known to eat the local koura (prawns). Sprinkled into this they also eat berries, seeds, pretty much whatever they can find whilst grubbing in the bush.

The hatchery and nursery for baby kiwi is located at Kiwi Encounter.

Baby Kiwi at Kiwi Encounter
Image courtesy of © Destination Rotorua Marketing

Kiwis are an endangered bird and as such Operation Nest Egg came into being.

Eggs are uplifted from the wild and brought into the hatchery to be incubated. Once the baby kiwi can fend for themselves they are released back into the wild, cool huh?

If you are really, really lucky, you may get to see one of the eggs hatching. Their breeding season is from about August through to April.

It would be a crying shame if this little flightless bird were to become extinct. Heck, it is such a huge part of our national identity now we would be lost without it. Not only do we refer to ourselves as 'Kiwis' but people around the world do too.

The Big Splash

Recently, The Big Splash opened at Rainbow Springs. It's a 9 minute boat ride taking you through a bit of New Zealand's ecological history.

Features are the animated dinosaur, Haast eagle (it was the largest in the world I've been told) and the moa.

The great thing about it is that it's all included in the entry price.

Hours and Prices

Winter hours - 8am to last entry at 9.30pm.
Summer hours - 8am to last entry at 10pm.

They stay open late don't they? It's great because you get to wander through at night with lighting set strategically around the area.

One good thing is that they are open every day except for Christmas Day.

Another bonus is that your ticket is good for 24hrs so you could go in the morning and evening.

Make a booking  ≫

Getting There

The Springs are about 5km out of the city heading north towards Auckland.

You will either need a car or you can catch a local bus or a CitySights Bus.

Check out my google map directions if you are driving. Open into the larger window and you will have street by street directions from the city.

Food & Drink

Wairere cafe is located at Rainbow Springs overlooking the trout pools and you get to eat inside or out. You can buy refreshments throughout the day through to 4pm.

There is a Nightlife Encounter and Dinner in the evening that you need to book in advance.

Parking & Toilets

There is plenty of parking and toilets at Rainbow Spring. In the summer it can get pretty crowded and I have noticed cars parking on the grass.

This could possibly be due to works being carried out.

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