Holiday houses in Rotorua

Located within the Pacific Rim of Fire on New Zealand’s North Island, the city of Rotorua is famous as one of the most active geothermal fields in the world. People come here to bathe in piping-hot waters surrounded by eerie steam, take relaxing soaks in natural lakeside pools, stand under hot waterfalls, and float blissfully along warm streams. In addition, Rotorua’s Māori community has worked for more than a century to ensure the survival of its cultural heritage and make Māori traditions central to the life of the town. In the region’s Māori villages, you’ll be able to learn more about traditional song, dance, crafts, and food.

Rotorua is surrounded by dense forests — check out the towering redwoods at Whakarewarewa Forest — and 18 sparkling lakes, which are popular with swimmers and water-sports enthusiasts. You can also go white-water rafting on the nearby Kaituna River. Though Rotorua is surrounded by spectacular nature, there’s plenty to do in the city itself, where you’ll find museums and galleries, restaurants and bars, and a night market featuring street food and arts and crafts. The town is also less than an hour’s drive from the pale beaches of Tauranga and the clear waters of Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake.

With warm days and long hours of daylight, summer is a great time to enjoy a stay at a Rotorua holiday rental. The region also experiences significant rainfall from December to February, so pack a jacket with your sunscreen. On New Year’s Eve, the GLO Festival fills the village green with live music and a fireworks display to ring in the new year. Spring is a pleasant time to visit — you can expect mostly mild days as flowers begin to bloom, from bluebells to fruit tree blossoms. The Art in the Park Festival has taken place each February for more than 20 years and offers the chance to see and buy the work of local artists while enjoying live music, all-ages entertainment, and food stalls.

Winter visitors will find cold temperatures and only a few hours of sunlight. While the conditions aren’t ideal for outdoor activities, this is the perfect time to warm up in one of the many natural hot pools and springs around the city.

New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute

Created as a place to preserve and promote traditional Māori culture, art, and practices, the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute holds an impressive collection of pieces from all over New Zealand that have ties to the Māori peoples. Students and visitors alike come here to learn the history of crafts as well as the skills needed to create art in the traditional style, including carving and weaving.

Redwood Tree Walk

Head to Whakarewarewa Forest, where you can climb into the canopy and walk 700 metres along a series of suspension bridges through century-old redwoods. There are platforms where you can stop to enjoy amazing views of the forest, and you’ll also get to see New Zealand’s iconic silver fern — the emblem of the country. A nighttime visit is a truly magical experience, when the forest is lit up by lanterns.

Skyline Rotorua

Climb the hill behind the city to Skyline Rotorua and board a gondola up the mountain, where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Rotorua and its lakes. At the top, you can explore nature trails, have a go at ziplining, or enjoy a local syrah over lunch while you take in the views. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make the journey back down in a luge cart, which winds down a track on the side of the mountain.