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Lake Rotorua, Rotorua

4.3
#4 of 10 in Nature in Rotorua
Water Body Nature / Park
Stretching for miles and miles, Lake Rotorua boasts the title of North Island's second-largest lake. Though the lake's high volume of sediment does not lend itself to water sports, the surroundings make a special treat for a wide variety travelers. Drive, walk, or cycle through the lush surroundings to discover farmland, native bush, and bubbling geothermal springs. If you do want to get onto the water, consider a trout fishing trip or hopping aboard the traditional paddle steamer that cruises the lake. Before you head to Rotorua, plan trip itinerary details with our user-friendly Rotorua vacation trip planner, to make sure you see all that Rotorua has to offer, including Lake Rotorua.
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Related Tours to Book
Rotorua Gondola with optional Luge Ride BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $22
Rotorua Duck Tours - City and Lakes Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $50
Exciting Rotorua Day Trip from Auckland BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $165
Lake Rotorua Paddle Boat Cruise with Breakfast or Lunch BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $32
OGO Rotorua Inflatable Ball Ride BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $26
Shore Excursion: Geothermal Rotorua with Maori Cultural Performance at Whakarewarewa BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $102
Mitere Mitai Combo Experience with Hangi Feast and Cultural Performance BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $102
White Island Helicopter Flight and Volcano Walking Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $655
Mt. Tarawera Volcano Scenic Floatplane Tour from Rotorua BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $172
Guided Horse Trekking from Rotorua BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $48
Rotorua and Waitomo Caves Day Trip from Auckland BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $234
Kawarau Jet Rotorua and Mokoia Island Combo BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $72
Lake Rotorua Hot Springs and Jet Boat Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $92
Jet Boat Tour of Lake Rotorua BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $62
Parasailing on Lake Rotorua BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $62
Tauranga Shore Excursion: Rotorua Geothermal Geyser Tour and Kiwi Fruit Orchard Cart Ride BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $92
Off-Road 4WD Buggy Adventure from Rotorua BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $43
Quad Biking Adventure from Rotorua BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $102
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Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
857 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • August 14, 2017
    Good place to relax. One can feed breads to the birds. Also has a cruise. One can really relax by spending some time sitting on the bench at the lake.  more »
  • August 14, 2017
    from islands, sea planes, paddles boats, black swans and steam rising from the lake there are so many photo opportunities  more »
  • August 13, 2017
    Future Rome spit Lu w of heavy little trip must to views 賞 this seat special don't of dormant volcano, push 薦 morning can took oil round 賞 Lake, I we participation added has Queen Hao 郵 round of Brigade, still including self breakfast, can see BU Shuo fans-Zaventem of volcano Lake, still has had named world eight big wonders of powder white terrace falls, boat 後 can to River walking, can see Sea Gull fly CHEUNG, good enjoy beauty.
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Best things to do in Rotorua

Popular
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Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Rotorua
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
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Te Puia
Rotorua
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
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Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park
Rotorua
Visit for: 3​h
Nature
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Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest
Rotorua
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
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Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
Rotorua
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
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Mt. Tarawera
Rotorua
Visit for: 3​h
Side Trips
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Hobbiton Movie Set Tours
Hinuera
Visit for: 2​h
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Adrenaline & Extreme Tours
Taupo
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
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Huka Prawn Park
Taupo
Visit for: 2​h
Kid Friendly Attractions
Rainbow Springs Nature Park
Rotorua
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Agrodome
Ngongotaha
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
aMAZEme
Ngongotaha
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Hidden Gems
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Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre
Ngongotaha
Visit for: 3​h
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Buried Village of Te Wairoa
Rotorua
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
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Volcanic Hills Winery
Rotorua
Visit for: 1​h
Nearby
Skyline Rotorua
Rotorua
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
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Rotorua Canopy Tours
Rotorua
Visit for: 3​h
Tamaki Maori Village
Rotorua
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
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Where to stay in Rotorua

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Rotorua has a range of different accommodations, mainly centered around the lake itself. In this downtown area you will find luxury hotels and hostels, many benefitting from good views of the surrounding scenery. Farther out of the town, comfortable motels offer those with a car a good option for setting up a base from which to explore the area. Campers and others wanting to enjoy the outdoors as soon as possible can opt for campsites and RV parks, all best accessed by car or taxi.
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Plans in Rotorua by other users

11 days in North Island BY A USER FROM ISRAEL November, outdoors, relaxing, shopping, wildlife, hidden gems PREFERENCES: November, outdoors, relaxing, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 34 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM MALAYSIA February, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, wildlife, popular PREFERENCES: February, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 21 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM September, culture, outdoors, beaches, wildlife, popular PREFERENCES: September, culture, outdoors, beaches, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 5 days in North Island BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND November, popular PREFERENCES: November ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 5 days in Waitomo Caves, Taupo & Rotorua BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND January, popular PREFERENCES: January ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 12 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM KUWAIT February, outdoors, romantic, beaches, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: February, outdoors, romantic, beaches, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 12 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM KUWAIT February, outdoors, romantic, beaches, wildlife, popular PREFERENCES: February, outdoors, romantic, beaches, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 12 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM KUWAIT February, popular PREFERENCES: February ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 11 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM KUWAIT February, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, museums, wildlife, popular PREFERENCES: February, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 13 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA February, popular PREFERENCES: February ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 10 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND October, popular PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 19 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA January, popular PREFERENCES: January ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium
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