Where to stay
Solitaire Lodge, Lake Tarawera
Perched on its own private peninsula overlooking Lake Tarawera, Solitaire Lodge is the kind of place that delivers a genuine ‘wow’ moment. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the lodge holds just a handful of indulgent suites, each with floor-to-ceiling views across the water to Mount Tarawera, while gourmet dining and an air of splendid seclusion make leaving feel entirely unnecessary. Book a lake-view suite, pour something cold, and watch the light change over the volcano.
On The Point, Lake Rotorua
Set at the tip of a private peninsula on Lake Rotorua itself, On The Point is quiet luxury done exceptionally well — a lovingly restored two-storey manor of boutique suites with uninterrupted views towards Mokoia Island, fine dining at The Mains restaurant, and the sort of unhurried hospitality that makes a two-night stay stretch effortlessly into three.
Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel
A stylish, intimate retreat on the shores of Lake Rotorua, Black Swan pairs elegant interiors with manicured lakefront grounds and a genuinely personal brand of service. The pick for a special occasion — or simply ‘just because’.
What to do
Surrender to the Restorative Journey at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa
The jewel in Rotorua’s wellness crown. Owned and operated by local iwi Ngāti Whakaue, this architecturally striking, adults-only spa on the Lake Rotorua foreshore offers something you genuinely cannot find anywhere else in the world. The signature Wai Whakaora Restorative Journey is a two-hour, seven-step ritual that moves you through a blessing at the mauri stone, waterfall showers, fire and ice caves, lake-view geothermal pools, a mineral mud lounge and a steam cave — each stage woven with Ngāti Whakaue tradition and narrative. Time your visit for late afternoon and you’ll watch the sun set over the lake from the water. Transcendent is not too strong a word.
Cycle the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop
Rotorua is one of the world’s great mountain biking destinations, but you don’t need to be clipped in and fearless to experience it. The Whakarewarewa Forest Loop winds through towering Californian redwoods, native bush and past steaming geothermal pockets on gentle, flowing trails suited to most fitness levels. Hire a bike (an e-bike, if you’re smart) from one of the outfitters at the forest’s edge and give yourself a few unhurried hours among the giants.
Wander the Redwoods Treewalk after dark
By day, the Redwoods Treewalk is lovely: a series of suspension bridges strung between 120-year-old redwoods, high above the forest floor. By night, it becomes pure magic. The Nightlights experience sees the canopy illuminated by dozens of David Trubridge-designed lanterns and shifting light installations, transforming the forest into a glowing, dreamlike world. It’s unexpectedly moving, entirely accessible, and quite possibly the most beautiful hour you’ll spend in Rotorua.
Fly through ancient forest with Rotorua Canopy Tours
For a dose of adventure with a conservation conscience, Rotorua Canopy Tours sends you ziplining through a pristine stand of untouched native forest — the kind that once covered this entire country. Guided tours traverse ziplines, swing bridges and cliff-edge walkways high in the canopy, while your guides share the story of the trust’s predator-control work that has brought native birdlife flooding back. Exhilarating, yes, but also genuinely meaningful.
Take on the Kaituna with Rotorua Rafting
Adrenaline seekers, this one’s for you. A white water rafting trip down the Kaituna River culminates in the seven-metre drop over Tutea Falls — the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. In between, you’ll navigate warm, emerald-green water through a narrow canyon steeped in Māori history, with guides who manage to be both consummate professionals and excellent company. Terrifying on paper, joyous in practice.
Where to eat
Eastwood
Set at the edge of the Whakarewarewa Forest, Eastwood is where mountain bikers, forest walkers and in-the-know locals converge over wood-fired pizzas, generous platters and seasonal plates in laid-back, modern surrounds. The ideal refuel after a morning on the Forest Loop or an evening under the Nightlights.
Poco Tapas & Wine
Arguably Rotorua’s most exciting table, Poco is an intimate spot serving inventive, produce-driven tapas alongside a thoughtfully curated wine list. Small plates arrive big on flavour. Settle in, order widely, and let the kitchen show off. Book ahead; word is well and truly out.
El Mexicano Zapata Cantina
Vibrant, colourful and full of energy, this beloved cantina delivers the real deal: punchy, authentic Mexican flavour, from smoky wings and fresh tortillas to margaritas that demand a second round. Perfect for a lively night out after a day of adventuring.
Okere Falls Store & Craft Beer Garden
En route to (or from) your Kaituna rafting escapade, this beloved store, café and craft beer garden is an essential stop. Think excellent coffee, wholesome café fare, an ever-rotating line-up of craft brews and a sun-drenched garden that hums on a good afternoon.
Consult our 2026 Dining Guide for more out-of-town eateries.
