The problem with Rotorua is not the smell (you hardly notice it after a while). It’s choosing what to do from the huge number of options. Here are a few ideas to get you started, straight from SONIA SPEEDY’s recent family trip.
There is just so much choice of family activities in Rotorua that it had our heads spinning. Even in the middle of winter, using What’s App polls became our go-to for making democratic decisions among the extended family, as there was just so much choice. (A highly recommended approach for keeping everyone happy!)
The good news is that while you do need to pay for many attractions, there is plenty to do for free too.
Kuirau Park
Our trip was right in the depths of winter, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t get out between downpours for a walk around the amazing Kuirau Park – New Zealand’s only free geothermal park. In the middle of town, it’s a handy place to nip into for an authentic Rotorua experience. Soaking our feet in the (safe!) man-made hot pools, fed by the boiling mud pools around them, felt so good on such a chilly winter’s day. And the kids were enthralled watching all the steam, the amazing colour of the various pools, and the plopping boiling mud, all of which you can just walk around at will. What’s more, it doesn’t cost a cent.
The Skyline Luge Rotorua
Everyone knows about the Luge, and there’s a reason for that – it’s so fun! So when we woke up to a clear day, we headed straight there to beat the crowds. We had kids aged between three and 11 in tow and they all had a blast, (the adults weren’t exactly missing out on the fun either). Everybody (except for Grandma, who preferred the coffee shop) rode the luge in some way or other – either with a parent together on one luge, or on their own. The different tracks meant the more cautious kids could build their confidence slowly and were very soon squealing with delight as they hooned around the corners.
Our 11-year-old says it was her favourite experience of the trip (“even if it was a bit scary”). There are LED-lit tunnels and over 12,000 native trees to whip through. The little ones loved the dinosaur area. And it’s got the longest luge tracks in the world reportedly, which helps you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth.
Top tip – make sure you get someone else to take the child with them for a while – you can go so much faster on your own!
There are a variety of packages for families, but a pass for a family of four, with a gondola and three luge rides each, is $196.
Mini Golf Rotorua (with rabbits!)
Nestled quietly at the bottom of the luge is this little gem – Mini Golf Rotorua, which had been recommended to us by friends before we headed away. A mini golf course with free-ranging rabbits may sound a bit logistically challenging, but it’s brilliant! Somehow the giant Flemish cuties knew exactly where to be and when and were never in the way for any of our shots (years of experience?). But they were also able to be tracked down by the kids easily for a pat.
Skittles the rainbow lorikeet was a hit with the kids too. Let’s just say the golf was the lesser draw on the day for the kids, while the parents had a great time getting competitive and having some on-course boogies to the great ‘80s/’90s music that was pumping out that particular day. The bubbles also being pumped out over the course was a hit for the smaller ones too.
We went during the day, but they have an elaborate fairy light set up, so it would be well worth a game at night.
With a family at $55 (two adults, two children). It’s a good mid-range cost option.
The Lakefront Playground
It had been a few years since we’d spent much time in Rotorua, so discovering the redeveloped lakefront was a treat! Of particular interest for us was the beautiful new playground – which gave the kids a great chance to run around and burn off some energy in a vibrant and safe environment. There’s a flying fox and a group swing which is always a highlight. And take along your scooter or bike along, because there’s a fun little track for the kids to buzz around – or take a basketball for the half court. And all for free! What’s more, you’re right in the centre of town and can easily grab an ice cream or coffee.
Eat Streat
A hop, skip and a jump from the Lakefront Playground is Eat Streat, home to a dozen or so restaurants and bars and – great news – an ice cream parlour. So not a bad place to head after a runaround at the park.
One of the many benefits of an extended family trip together, is the number of adults available to mind the little treasures at night so you can nip out for a nice dinner in peace. It’s always fun to have a dinner out that doesn’t involve having to eat a left-over mini hotdog. The great thing about Eat Streat is that there’s enough variety there that you can meet even the most discerning adult tastes and everyone’s happy. The other good thing is it’s an all-weather venue (it was pouring down when we went), but you can still eat al fresco. And there’s a thermally heated footpath! With the cool lighting they have installed, you feel like you’re having a proper grown-up night out, Las Vegas styles.
Whakarewarewa Forest (The Redwoods)
Bring your bike, go for a walk, or just hang out. The Redwoods is a truly amazing spot for a bit of forest-bathing to help reset any frazzled nerves (parents are never truly on holiday and frazzle-free right?). You’ve got 55,000ha to play in, amongst the most amazing stands of towering Californian Redwoods and native forest. How lucky are we to have something like this right on the doorstep of town.
You can spend hours happily wandering for free (download a Junior Explorer Sheet before you go to keep the kids entertained). But if you want a real treat, the Redwoods Treewalk is spectacular. We did it years earlier during the day when the kids were much smaller (and I could keep one safely attached in the front pack), so this time we splashed out on the Redwoods Nightlight Treewalk. It’s specular. Walking between nine and 20m above the ground, crossing the 28 swing bridges and all amongst 120 years old trees. But what really makes it, of course, is the beautiful light displays – there are 34 stunning lanterns set in the trees (designed by the renown David Trubridge) and those, along with the multitude of other illuminations throughout the 700m walk, make it seem totally other worldly. If you want to reinforce that fairies are real to the kids, this would certainly be the place to do it. It feels like a fairy could come drifting down from a tree at any moment.
The walk takes about 30 to 40 minutes and costs $115 for a family pass (two adults and up to three kids). Children under five are free – and they have purpose-built strollers for them. There can be a bit of a queue, so you may want to investigate the Fast Pass option if you’ve got little ones with you – but this does cost a bit more. The good news is, they play kids’ movies out in front of the walk to entertain the small ones while you wait for your turn.
The rest of our time we spent hanging out together and enjoying being away from home! (And making a lot of lolly trips to the dairy). We only just scratched the surface on fun things to do – so we might have to put Rotorua back on the travel list for a summer visit too.
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