Rotorua outdoor activities

Packing for outdoor recreation in Rotorua demands gear you can climb and hike in; cycle shorts for blasting along forested bike trails, sturdy shoes for walking across hot volcanic landscapes; and your togs (swimsuit) for recovering from your adventures in deliciously warm spa pools. There's an action-packed holiday awaiting you in the North Island's famous and fun city.

Walk amongst the trees

Majestic and magical, the Redwoods Treewalk experience is truly a walk to remember. Suspended high above the forest floor, encounter 75-metre-tall California redwoods as you walk across eco-suspended bridges and platforms intricately designed to honour and accentuate the stunning natural environment.

This award-winning, eco-tourism walk is 700 metres long, spans 28 suspension bridges, 27 platforms, and takes about 40 minutes to complete. With the height of the walkway ranging between 6-20 metres, you are presented with a unique, bird's-eye perspective of the forest below and treetops above. Majestic by day, magical by night, this is one experience the whole family will never forget!

See free attractions at Kuirau Park and the Rotorua Lakefront

If you arrive in Rotorua from the north, you'll drive past Kuirau Park on your way to the city centre. It's a public park and garden, but like nothing you've seen before. Geothermal activity is everywhere at Kuirau Park - bubbling mud pools, simmering craters, steaming fumaroles and silica-fringed hot pools.

After a stroll around the park breathing in the aromatic steam, find the free foot baths and give your feet a treat. There's also a paddling pool for kids and plenty of play equipment.

Down at the edge of Lake Rotorua lakefront there is the amazing new childrens play area. A completely revamped area, with playgrounds for teens, kids and toddlers, this newly developed area even has a boardwalk that is beautifully lit at night time. The Rotorua lakefront is ideal for a summer nights walk after getting an ice cream from New Zealand's busiest ice cream parlour – Lady Janes!

Take a geoscience hike at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rotorua

There are several geothermal park experiences in Rotorua and they're all captivating, but Waimangu has a special point of difference. It's a top-to-bottom walk down a volcanic valley that qualifies as the world's youngest geothermal system. Formed by the massive Mount Tarawera eruption in 1886, it's powered by magma (molten lava) that's two kilometres below the surface. Highlights here include Frying Pan Lake, the world's largest crypto geyser, beautiful silica terraces and a multiplicity of hot springs.

You can combine an on-foot adventure down Waimangu Volcanic Valley with a boat trip around Lake Rotomahana, which means 'warm lake' in Māori. There are two areas of high heat flow beneath the lake and underwater explorations recently discovered the legendary Pink and White Terraces on the lake bed. Using the Waimangu app, you can virtually recreate the terraces on your phone. This app also acts as a guide to the volcanic valley.

Play in the trees at Canopy Tours, Rotorua

It took five years to create the adventure-scape at Canopy Tours, so you know you're in for a spectacular experience. This attraction is much more than ziplines over the forest; it's about discovering a predator-free native forest environment that resembles pre-human times - but you'll also have an exciting time on the ziplines and swing bridges! Consistently rated in the top ten activities in the world, this is a can't miss activity if there ever was one!

There are two canopy tours on offer:

Both of these tours are escorted by trained guides who share their knowledge of the trees and birds, so you'll come away understanding more about forest ecology. Children as young as six can participate and there's a free shuttle service if you don't have a car.

Hike or bike in Redwood Forest, Rotorua

The Redwoods, aka Whakarewarewa Forest, is a forest playground like no other. Planting started more than a century ago and now the Californian Redwoods are approaching 70 metres tall. Down at ground level, the forest is serene and surprisingly clear - the sunlight filters through, so you can see the understory of tree ferns and smaller natives. It's a magical setting for hiking and biking, and entry is free.

Maps and information are available from the Redwoods Visitor Centre. If you're going to explore the forest on foot, there are six sign-posted tracks ranging from 30 minutes to eight hours. For biking, the forest has beginner and easy trails, as well as intermediate, advanced and expert trails. Some trails are dual use - biking and hiking on the same path.

The Redwoods is also home to a commercial treewalk that runs during the day and after dark. The night experience is astounding - a fantasyland of swing bridges and platforms 20 metres off the ground lit with lanterns and lights.

Watch Lady Knox Geyser at Waiotapu

Waiotapu, also spelt Wai-O-Tapu, is one of the Rotorua region's most beautiful geothermal parks. It demands at least half a day, because the walking trails are extensive. It's taken thousands of years for many of the geothermal features to develop, so you can expect to keep your camera app busy.

You'll particularly love the Champagne Pool, which fizzes with volcanic energy; and the sulphur-smelling craters with names like 'Devil's Bath' and 'Thunder Crater'. But the real showstopper is Lady Knox Geyser, a natural hot water fountain that erupts every morning at 10:30. It's induced to erupt with soap pellets, which lower the surface tension of the water to start the eruption process. There are bigger geysers in Rotorua, but this one is the most reliable. To make the most of extraordinary Waiotapu, wear covered walking shoes, apply sunscreen and take drinking water.

Get your thrills at Velocity Valley

Just west of Mt Ngongotaha, Velocity Valley Adventure Park is a hub for adrenalin-fuelled outdoor activities. There's every screaming-good pastime you can think of - flying in a giant wind column, zooming around a jet boat circuit at 100km/h, swooping on a giant swing, bungy jumping off a tower and racing laps in a Shweeb pod. This venue also has a freestyle airbag for mountain bikers who want to do mid-air tricks without damaging themselves (great to watch). Multi-ride and group packages are available to give you more bang for your bucks.