5 Free and Affordable Things to do in Rotorua

Whakarewarewa Redwoods

With over 5,600 hectares of stunning forest and only five minutes from the Rotorua city centre, the Redwoods is a must-visit. New Zealand’s most giant trees reach an incredible 72 metres high. Following the walking trails in the family & pet-friendly forest is one of the best free activities in Rotorua.

Price: Free
Location: Longmile Road, Rotorua

Skyline Nature History Walk

The Skyline Nature History Walk begins at the Skyline Rotorua complex, where you can take a Gondola ride to the top of Mount Ngongotaha. From there, you follow the signposts to the start of the walk. With over 15,000 native trees on site, you can expect fantastic bird activity, like the local Kererū (native New Zealand pigeon).

As you walk around the track, you’ll uncover interactive and informative panels explaining the region’s history and culture. You’ll also discover a wētā (giant, flightless crickets) hotel and a wind-up grinder that makes bird noises.

Once you’ve completed the walk, reward yourself with a quick stop at the Market Kitchen Café.

Price: See the most up-to-date Gondola prices here. Under 5’s ride the Gondola for free
Location: 178 Fairy Springs Road, Fairy Springs, Rotorua

Kuiaru Park

Situated in the Rotorua city centre is the only public and free-to-access geothermal park in New Zealand. During daylight hours year-round, explore the park’s various mud pools, hot springs, a crater lake, beautiful gardens, and children’s playground. Soak your feet in the free thermal foot baths. Visiting Kuirau Park is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable things to do in Rotorua for free. If you visit on a Saturday morning, you’ll catch a food market showcasing local and international cuisine.

Price: Free
Location: 1371 Pukuatua Street and Ranolf Street, Rotorua

Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Experience one of Rotorua’s cheap things to do at New Zealand’s youngest geothermal valley and learn how the world began.

Located a 20-minute drive from the Rotorua city centre, you’ll uncover rare plants, a regenerating forest, multiple lakes, the Inferno Crater Lake, the Silica Terraces, stalactites, and panoramas over the valley highlighting both Rainbow and Tarawera Mountains.

Experiences include self-guided walks/hikes of varying distances and duration and a Lake Rotomahana Boat Cruise. Don’t forget to download the Waimangu App for exclusive content.

Price: Prices start at approximately $45 for adults, children $14, and family discount packages are available
Location: 587 Waimangu Road, Rotorua

Whakarewarewa Redwoods

Hitting the mountain biking trails in the Redwoods is one of the most popular Rotorua things to do. Made up of multiple trail networks totalling over 130 kilometres of superb trails, the Redwoods is your one-stop shop for a pedal-powered mountain biking adventure.

The forest is free to everyone, and the trail network caters to all ages and abilities. From fast-paced berms to massive gap jumps and everything in between, you can’t look past this world-renowned forest. Come along and experience it for yourself.

Price: Free
Location: Longmile Road, Rotorua

Skyline MTB gravity park

If you’re more about the vertical descent and less about the pedal power, make a beeline for Skyline. Situated on the side of Mt Ngongotaha, you’ll find New Zealand’s only year-round Gondola-assisted bike lift park!

Enjoy your day knowing that the Gondola will do most of the hard work for you so you can focus on the fast-paced gravity thrill that awaits you. Skyline Rotorua’s 12-kilometre trail network is home to 12 masterfully crafted tracks, with a trail to suit everyone.

Price: See the most up-to-date mountain biking prices here
Location: 178 Fairy Springs Road, Fairy Springs, Rotorua

Kerosene Creek

Are you a sucker for steaming waterfalls and natural hot water swimming holes? Look no further than Kerosene Creek – a hot spring and a waterfall that flows through Rotorua’s natural bush.

35 minutes from Rotorua’s CBD and partway down a forestry road, you’ll find yourself at the car park. Take a short walk through the forest beside the hot water stream, and you’ll come across one of Rotorua’s hidden gems. This sizeable hot pool is great for relieving those aches and pains or relaxing after a busy day of adventure in Rotorua. The Kerosene Creek hot pool is undoubtedly one of the best free things to do in Rotorua.

Price: Free
Location: Old Waiotapu Road, Waikato 3073

Waikite Valley Thermal Pools

Waikite Valley Thermal Pools is the only pool complex in New Zealand of its size that uses 100% pure geothermal water. The water comes directly from the Te Manaroa natural boiling spring. The water is cooled before entering, creating a deliciously warm 35-39°C soft, calcite-laden mineral pool of relaxation.

Soak in one of six pools included in the general admission price. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, private pools overlooking the native wilderness and geothermal activity are available for hire.

Price: Prices start at approximately $20 for adults, children $11, infants and spectators $3
Location: 648 Waikite Valley Road, Waikite Valley, Rotorua

Okere Falls Track

This fantastic walk is just a 20-minute drive from Rotorua’s CBD. The 1.2-kilometre well-made and maintained forest track guides you to spectacular lookouts of the fast-paced Kaituna River and all four of its powerful and picturesque waterfalls.

Head to the viewing platform to view the highest commercially-rafted waterfall in the world. If you stick around long enough, you’ll hear the screams of terrified rafters as they descend the 11-metre fall into the pool below.

The falls are also the home of Rotorua’s first hydroelectric power station, the Tutea Caves and Hinemoa’s steps.

Once you’re done exploring, why not stop across the road at Okere Falls store (an eco-friendly café) for a bite to eat?

Price: Free
Location: Trout Pool Road, Rotorua

Hamurana Springs Nature Reserve

Located just 20 minutes from the Rotorua CBD is one of the best cheap things to do in Rotorua. Hamurana Spring is the deepest natural spring on the North Island – spouting four million litres every hour!

The Nature Reserve is home to a 45-minute walking track that loops through ancient redwoods and native trees. Enjoy the scenery and wildlife and discover the sites of cultural significance to the local Ngāti Rangiwewewehi tribe.

Price: Prices start at approximately $18 for adults, children $8, and family discount packages are available
Location: 773 Hamurana Road, Hamurana, Rotorua