In our ‘Complete Guide’ series, we’re going to be visiting some of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations and getting the inside track from our GO Explore followers on the best places to stay, eat, drink, sunbathe and more. Instead of just finding out what the guidebooks tell you, find out what the locals and the travellers think when it comes to the best place to get an ice cream, the best fish and chips and the best cocktail you’ll ever taste! We’ll also give you our recommendations on the best rental car for your trip so you can explore the region in comfort and style!

The next in our series of Complete Guides takes us to Rotorua on the North Island, just a short three hour drive from Auckland and often referred to as New Zealand geothermal capital. In addition to all the geothermal activities down in Rotorua, it’s also the home to some of New Zealand’s best adventure activities and plays host to some of the world’s biggest mountain biking events. Once you get past the smell (it’s a bit pongy thanks to all the sulphur) this place has a lot to offer and is one of the most popular destinations for international visitors as well as Kiwi holidaymakers. Let’s find out a bit more about New Zealand’s geothermal capital.

Best accommodation in Rotorua

The first thing for most people when they are arranging any trip is to sort out where you are going to stay. Rotorua is definitely not short on options when it comes to accommodation and whether you are looking for something cheap and cheerful or something a bit more up market, Rotorua has all the bases covered. Fenton Street is accommodation central in Rotorua with hotels and motels lining the street with plenty of options to pick from. Being based in this geothermal hotspot, many of the hotels offer heated pools and hot tubs, all powered by nature. Let’s take a look at some of the best to fit all budgets.

Best places to eat out in Rotorua

Rotorua is not short on options when it comes to eating out either. Whether you are in the mood for a fancy dinner or pub grub, the city is packed full of great options. Tutanekai Street is often referred to as eat street and this is where you will find a lot of the city’s best restaurants and bars, all packed together in a pedestrianised area making for a fantastic atmosphere any night of the week. Here are some of our GO Explorers favourite places to grab a bit to eat in Rotorua:

Best Geothermal Attractions in Rotorua

Whilst we are going to talk about the best activities in Rotorua in more depth, so many of them focus around geothermal attractions so we wanted to present our list of the top 10 geothermal attractions in Rotorua and where you can find them.

Rent the perfect car for your adventure

Recommended vehicle for exploring Rotorua

TOYOTA CHR

3 year(s) old

Explore Rotorua in style in the Toyota CHR featuring Bluetooth handsfree, 5-star ANCAP Safety Rating and steering mounted controls.

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5 Seats

1 large bag

1 small bag

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