1
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Tourist attraction
Unspoiled, protected destination featuring the world's largest hot spring in lush natural surrounds.
4.70 (2K reviews)
(~9.25 km from centre)
2
Te Pā Tū
Tourist attraction
Interactive performances, banquets & tours explore indigenous culture at this recreated village.
4.70 (1.4K reviews)
(~7.62 km from centre)
3
Buried Village of Te Wairoa
Tourist attraction
Archaeological site featuring an excavated village buried by an 1886 eruption, with guided tours.
4.40 (905 reviews)
(~1.73 km from centre)
4
Blue Lake TOP 10 Holiday Park
Holiday park
No-nonsense quarters, BBQs & a playground in an informal resort overlooking Lake Tikitapu.
$63/night
4.30 (776 reviews)
(~4.39 km from centre)
5
Blue Lake Park
Park
👍👍 This adorable lake makes me feel calm.
4.70 (752 reviews)
(~4.79 km from centre)
6
Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)
Scenic spot
👍👍 An easy 1.5hr trail walk mostly through the forest around the lake with a small section of road leading up to the lookout, where to the left is the Blue Lake and to the right the Green Lake. There is a great BBQ/picnic area just near the car park with an absolutely stunning view across the lake that...
4.60 (350 reviews)
(~4.36 km from centre)
7
The Landing Cafe
Cafe
👍👍 Stunning location overlooking Lake Tarawera. They sell real fruit(🍒 🍓) ice cream which was great on a sunny day.
$$ $$
4.30 (318 reviews)
(~0.54 km from centre)
8
Planet Bike
Bicycle rental service
👍👍 If you want to give your money to an authentic local family business with awesome gear and genuine, down to earth hospitality go to Planet Bike! No frills and no hidden charges but the bikes are top of the range! Way better vibes than the bigwig tourist trap down the road.
4.70 (275 reviews)
(~9.73 km from centre)
9
Boyes Beach Reserve
Campground
👍👍 Beautiful lake and good for the whole family. Gets pretty busy in summer, so busy that if you like to set up in your own spot a few meters off the shoreline, people will take advantage of that empty space and sit right in front of your spot/view of the lake 😂😂
4.40 (230 reviews)
(~5.06 km from centre)
10
Lake Okareka DOC Campsite
Campground
👍 My friend and I went camping on Waitangi Day. When we got there at around 7pm, it still had a few spots. As we are new campers, people saw we were so struggling so they came to help us, which is so friendly and helpful. It’s such a good place for stars, sunrises and swimming. However, you have to br...
4.40 (222 reviews)
(~4.74 km from centre)
11
Stoney Point Reserve
Park
👍 Great views. Good place to have a picnic while the kids enjoy the playground.
4.60 (221 reviews)
(~1.84 km from centre)
12
Lake Okareka
Swimming lake
👍👍 Best place to swimming wich I visited. No box-jellyfish, no sharks, no waves, no wind ...
4.70 (208 reviews)
(~4.79 km from centre)
13
Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)
Lake
Swimming, canoeing & trout fishing on a small lake with a boat ramp surrounded by parkland.
4.70 (193 reviews)
(~4.18 km from centre)
15
Horse Trekking Lake Okareka, Rotorua
Horseback riding service
👍👍 By far the most incredible experience horse riding this morning with my family and I. Many thanks to Lucy for such an amazing time. I honestly highly recommend this to all families. The views are spectacular, the horses are amazing. My family and I are so grateful for our experience. Thankyou Lucy f...
4.60 (144 reviews)
(~3.58 km from centre)
16
Lake Okareka Reserve and Walkway
Park
👍👍 A really sweet walk along the lakeside, 5km there and back if you go right to the end.
A well-maintained track with a birdhide about 1km in - loads of wildlife!
4.70 (135 reviews)
(~3.55 km from centre)
17
Boyes Beach
Beach
👍👍 Amazing campsite, we paid $20.00 a night for each adult. The water and beach and very clean and there are a lot of ducks and pukeko
4.40 (126 reviews)
(~4.97 km from centre)
18
Tarawera Trail
Tourist attraction
👍👍 Nice Trail. Decided to do the return trip (approximately 15km each way). Well appointed car-park just off Tarawera road.The trail was undulating however no real steep stuff to worry about. A little overgrown in places although I prefer it this way, rather than an overpopulated commercialized path yo...
4.60 (108 reviews)
(~2.22 km from centre)
19
Hot Water Beach Campsite
Campground
👍👍 What can be said that hasn't already been said a million times? Get in here before it becomes a Great Walk and even the walk needs bookings. Try and stay away from weekends from mid-spring until mid-autumn. Be prepared to share the camp with boaties who pitch their tents. The walk is very special....
4.60 (98 reviews)
(~6.67 km from centre)
20
Whakarewarewa Mountain Bike Park
Park
👍👍 We rode the lake loop (35 km) and took less than 5 hours with plenty stops and breaks.
Rented full-suspension bikes from Mountain Bike Rotorua at Waipa car park.
Overall I found pretty easy, wide and good flow of trails. It is a massive park comparing to other free MTB parks down in South Island.
Th...
4.80 (83 reviews)
(~6.16 km from centre)