Day trips from Rotorua are a great way to see more without having to pack up every day and move on. Let's face it. Using Rotorua as a base is not a silly idea. It's central and there is so much to explore in the outlying areas.
Think, eating your lunch sitting high on top of a volcano, boogie boarding the pearliest of waves, navigating the silken darkness of caves in a tube, and more.
Numerous activities like these are within easy driving distance (up to 2½hrs) from Rotorua. If you prefer to take tours, those options are available too.
How about we get started with something of interest to Elvish fans? I know there's an awful lot of you judging by the tour buses I see most days.
A young friend of the family visited Hobbiton after seeing ALL the
movies. She then kindly wrote an article for Rotorua Travel Secrets
about it.
What she had to say: "A Hobbiton tour is bliss for
diehard LOTR fans and everyone else too... including those who haven’t
seen the movies."
Hobbition Tour ≫
50mins from Rotorua
I tripped over to Waitomo (it's a tiny little town cum village) to check out the Black Water Rafting and had a lot of fun. You can try the rafting (it's actually a tyre tube), dry cave walks, abseiling canyoning (I don't know what the difference is) and boat rides.
Each business providing tours uses one particular cave and they're all unique. Some people do the lot.
Waitomo Black Water Rafting ≫
2hrs from Rotorua
Isn't it the way that thoughts can be worse than the actual doing? Find out more about this and what you can expect to see and do when taking on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The logistics of managing this as day trip from Rotorua is covered off too. Happy hiking.
Tongariro Crossing ≫
2½hrs from Rotorua
The Mount Maunganui walking tracks, whether it's from the exertion of climbing or the stunning scenery, tend to leave one breathless. Pristine white sands? Tick. The requisite turquoise sea? Tick. Ho hum, how boring huh? Not even!
Mount Maunganui Walk ≫
1hr 6min from Rotorua
Coming up I will cover off places like Huka Falls with the Jet and Prawn Park, Orakei Korako Cave and Thermal Park and day trips to White Island off the coast of the Bay of Plenty. Whew, there's still a lot to do.
October 2017 - School Holidays...
November 2017 - Saturday Night Fever...
December 2017 - Mudtopia & Christmas!!!
Visit Velocity Valley to experience all the action of Freefall Xtreme, Swoop, Rotorua Bungy, Agrojet Schweeb and Freestyle Airbag? Why not do the lot!
Mokoia Island Tours come with a twist. Not only informative, they include a hair-raising ride with Kawarau Jet.
Surico - Have fun and find out why alpaca appeal to so many on this 60-90min personalised tour of a working farm.
"We are a family of four from Sydney Australia and love nature - bush to beach.
We love your website and found your tips on things to do in Rotorua very valuable - exactly what we look for in destinations."
Anita —Sydney
"Thank you Karen! I think you site is wonderful. We followed your ideas today for blue lake and green lake, and went to the Landing Cafe first, brilliant we would have missed Lake Tarawera otherwise and it is so beautiful and peaceful."
Rosie
"Thank you for your prompt response. I have managed to get a great deal through 'book me', so once again thank you so much. Great service. " :-)
Chris
"Awesome website all about Rotorua. Well done Karen Shelford."
Amiria Tomoana - Global Traveller
"Yes, really worthwile information for those visiting Rotorua. Take it from someone who used it. Thank you, so much easier."
Karen Hubbard - Sydney, Australia
"...
your website is the best resource for planning a trip there that I have
encountered! It answers all of the questions you end up having after
reading other sites, and presents information in such a clear and
concise way.
... wish I'd encountered your site before printing off reams of info that will probably be whittled down to one page.
... hope the local government and tourism people realise what a great asset and ambassador they have in you! :P"
Vicky Fairchild - Auckland, New Zealand
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