Joanne's local tips
Good places to eat
Booking is essential due to the excellent food and service. Lovingly managed by passionate foodies, an American couple who lived in Venezuela for years. Come here for New Zealands best margaritas
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sabroso Restaurant
1184 Haupapa StBooking is essential due to the excellent food and service. Lovingly managed by passionate foodies, an American couple who lived in Venezuela for years. Come here for New Zealands best margaritas
The food is outstanding. Homebrewed lemonade is also good
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Atticus Finch
1106 Tutanekai StThe food is outstanding. Homebrewed lemonade is also good
This is a place only locals know about as its tucked away in the industrial zone. Close to town, its worth the visit as the food, especially the baked bread, is outstanding.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ciabatta Cafe & Bakery
38 White StThis is a place only locals know about as its tucked away in the industrial zone. Close to town, its worth the visit as the food, especially the baked bread, is outstanding.
A local institution selling a range of true German beer, (yum) and serving good food, the Okere falls store often puts on live music and is a hub of local colour.
53 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Okere Falls Store
757A State Hwy 33A local institution selling a range of true German beer, (yum) and serving good food, the Okere falls store often puts on live music and is a hub of local colour.
For the best street food and market atmosphere
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rotorua Night Market
1029 Village GreenFor the best street food and market atmosphere
For fine dining, excellent service, great wine list and good cocktails.
The Regent Room Restaurant & Bar
1191 Pukaki StreetFor fine dining, excellent service, great wine list and good cocktails.
Great wood fired pizzas and amazing antipasto
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pizzeria Imperfetto
1176 Pukaki StGreat wood fired pizzas and amazing antipasto
Make sure you're very hungry as the buffet is exceptional
198 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Skyline Rotorua
178 Fairy Springs RdMake sure you're very hungry as the buffet is exceptional
Absolutely delicious dumplings. Super clean. Friendly staff. An authentic slice of Asia
Spring festival dumpling
1240 Fenton StAbsolutely delicious dumplings. Super clean. Friendly staff. An authentic slice of Asia
Saigon '60s
1205 Fenton StHighly recommended
Don't miss this
Polynesian Spa
1000 Hinemoa St A favourite with locals and tourists
This walk is spectacular after dark when the artwork lanterns are lit up. It's very romantic and magical
150 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Redwoods Treewalk
Tarawera RoadThis walk is spectacular after dark when the artwork lanterns are lit up. It's very romantic and magical
Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua
13/33 Waipa State Mill RdA great place to see our community spirit in action and eat breakfast
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rotary market at Kuirau Park
1371 Kuirau StA great place to see our community spirit in action and eat breakfast
Local artists craftspeople and good coffee
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Arts Village
1240 Hinemaru StLocal artists craftspeople and good coffee
McLeods Booksellers
1105 Pukuatua StGreat for wonderful books, kiwi books, notebooks and specialist magazines
I just love wandering around this stunning place. There are georgeous gardens, animals galore and even lion cubs
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Paradise Valley Springs
467 Paradise Valley RdI just love wandering around this stunning place. There are georgeous gardens, animals galore and even lion cubs
Mitai Maori Village
196 Fairy Springs RdPlaces to swim and picnic
A lovely place to swim and spend the day
51 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)
Tarawera RoadA lovely place to swim and spend the day
A natural hot spring and waterfall off the beaten track
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kerosene Creek
Old Waiotapu RoadA natural hot spring and waterfall off the beaten track
The water quality is unbelievable, its like swimming in silk. The locals drink this water and the fish caught here are beautiful to eat. The area is full of mystique as there was a huge eruption here that altered the landscape and buried local villages. For this reason the area is tapu or sacred. It's a wonderful lake to explore for a swim and the wonderful views. There is also a day trip to a waterfall.
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lake Tarawera
The water quality is unbelievable, its like swimming in silk. The locals drink this water and the fish caught here are beautiful to eat. The area is full of mystique as there was a huge eruption here that altered the landscape and buried local villages. For this reason the area is tapu or sacred. It's a wonderful lake to explore for a swim and the wonderful views. There is also a day trip to a waterfall.
Hot tuns in the Bush, open fires and a huge tent, this is a great place to go for something different
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua
13/33 Waipa State Mill RdHot tuns in the Bush, open fires and a huge tent, this is a great place to go for something different
If you're looking for a day trip with an easy walk, beautiful scenery, Bush and lake swimming, lake Okataina is off the beaten track. Its 45 minutes from my place and worth a visit
Lake Okataina, Bay of Plenty 3074, Nueva Zelanda
If you're looking for a day trip with an easy walk, beautiful scenery, Bush and lake swimming, lake Okataina is off the beaten track. Its 45 minutes from my place and worth a visit
Sightseeing
Get close up and personal with wicked volcanic landscapes and boiling mud
57 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wai-O-Tapu
201 Waiotapu Loop RdGet close up and personal with wicked volcanic landscapes and boiling mud
Visitors report this place exceeds expectation and is well worth a visit. I haven't been, but it looks very well done
161 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Estación de la película Hobbiton
501 Buckland RdVisitors report this place exceeds expectation and is well worth a visit. I haven't been, but it looks very well done
There is a great thermal park and good mud pools
54 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Geotérmico Hells Gate y Spa de Barro
351 State Hwy 30There is a great thermal park and good mud pools
A genuine local experience
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Whakarewarewa - La aldea viva maorí
17 Tryon StA genuine local experience
Instituto de Artes y Artesanías Maoríes de Nueva Zelanda (NZMACI) - Te Puia
20 Hemo RdNot to be missed
Adventure activities
Very popular with bike enthusiasts
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Whakarewarewa Red Woods Mountain Bike Park
Very popular with bike enthusiasts
Kaituna Rafting - Rotorua Whitewater Rafting
For the adventure seekers
This is quite an experience of you like heights and even if you don't
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Adrenalin Forest Bay of Plenty
Weld RoadThis is quite an experience of you like heights and even if you don't
Guests report enjoying this very much
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kaituna Cascades Rafting Company
18 Okere Falls RdGuests report enjoying this very much