The Best Things to Do in Rotorua at Night

After a day of gazing over the gorgeous city on the Skyline Gondola, you’re hungry and curious about what there is to do in Rotorua at night. Look no more. It’s nightfall, the perfect time to explore Rotorua’s landscape on the Night Luge!

This one-of-a-kind evening experience features our world-famous Luge tracks, but beautifully framed by an array of disco lights to light up the track.

You’ve never seen Rotorua as mesmerizing as this. Follow our colourful lights all the way down the Scenic track and stop for Instagram snaps to amaze your mates – or discover Rotorua’s sparkling cityscape under the beautiful white lights of the Intermediate Luge track.

Opening Times: Visit our Night Luge page for the most up-to-date Night Luge open hours
Price: prices page for the most up-to-date pricing for Skyline Rotorua’s Gondola Ride & Night Luge experience.

Remember to check the sunset times for the day when you book – the lights turn on when the sun is down!

After seeing Rotorua’s gorgeous cityscape on the Night Luge, grab a cold one at Skyline’s award-winning Stratosfare Restaurant. We have an excellent selection of craft beers on offer, complementing our dinner menu made from fresh seasonal produce.

We’re proud to present some of New Zealand’s finest local meats and seafood, with delicious vegetarian options available as well. After an exciting evening under the stars, you’ll thank yourself for booking a relaxing dinner with views from Mount Ngongotaha.

Dinner Hours: Stratosfare hours vary frequently between holiday periods, so please see our open hours page for the most up-to-date open hours.

Along with Stratosfare Bar & Restaurant, another Rotorua institution is the Pig & Whistle Pub. Sit back and relax in the historic atmosphere and enjoy sampling Moa Brewery’s craft beers on tap as well as fine New Zealand wines. Try the mouth-watering pub grub and enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday night.

Happy Hour: 3:30pm – 6pm weekdays (excludes holidays)
Full Menu: 11:30am – 10:00pm daily.

This magical night-time wonderland abounds with native New Zealand flora and fauna amongst the challenging golf course. Mini Golf Rotorua is the perfect unique, romantic spot to take a date or spend a fun night out with your friends. Whether you’re travelling by yourself, in a group, or with your family, you’ll love putting among twinkling lights, friendly Flemish Giant rabbits, local birdlife and cascading waterfalls.

Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Tues to Sat), 10am – 6pm (Sun to Mon).

Ready for one of the most relaxing evenings of your life? The bubbling geothermal pools of Rotorua have soothed travellers’ aching bodies for centuries. Visit the historic Polynesian Spa and take advantage of this region’s mineral-rich mud and thermal spring waters to warm up on a chilly night – or sign up for an invigorating spa and wellness experience to recharge your batteries.

Opening Hours: 8am – 11pm daily.

For a more relaxed and very immersive Rotorua night activity, try a nature discovery walk. Stroll amongst 118-year-old Redwood giants as you pass over intricately designed bridges and platforms which accentuate the beauty of the dense woodlands. Charming lanterns light the 700-metre path on this 40-minute eco-tourism walk, which is open all year round. Prices start at $35 per Adult.

Opening Hours: 9am – 10:30pm (last entry at 10pm) – lights switched on at dusk!

Gifted to the Crown by the Māori people in the late 19th century, these culturally significant gardens now provide a space for activities such as bowls, petanque, croquet and golf. Government Gardens is also home to a soldiers’ memorial of the Te Arawa tribe, the Klamath Falls Rose Garden, Te Runanga Tearooms, a band rotunda, Blue Baths and the famous Rotorua Museum. It’s open all year round and entry is free.

Opening Hours: 8am – 8pm daily.

Admire the historic Lake Rotorua’s natural beauty at night on the Lakeland Queen. Operating various cruises throughout the day, this gorgeous heritage vessel provides a relaxing one-hour dinner cruise at night. Enjoy appetising cuisine and full-bodied wines with the soft sounds of the paddle in the background.

Opening Hours: Daily 1-hour dinner cruise, from 6pm – 7pm.

One of the must-see attractions in Rotorua is the Night Market. Stroll through this family-friendly local market to browse unique stalls showcasing the best produce, arts and crafts of Rotorua. Sample local and ethnic cuisine from one of the many food vendors and take a seat for entertainment by talented local musicians.

Opening Hours: Thursday evenings from 5pm – 9pm (dependent on weather).

End your action-packed day with a soak in some of Rotorua’s best natural thermal waters to revive your mind, body and soul. Experience the healing benefits of the 100% pure geothermal Living Waters of the Te Manaroa natural boiling spring.

Try a soak in Rotorua’s most active geothermal park at Hell’s Gate. Open until 8.30 pm, enjoy an interactive guided or self-guided tour before sliding into a geothermal mud pool or sulphur spa. A half-hour drive out of the Rotorua city centre will bring you to Waitangi Soda Springs, a site famed for relaxation and healing.

Opening Hours:
Hell’s Gate – 8:30 am – 8:30 pm (Winter)/10:00pm (Summer) – open every day apart from Christmas Day
Soda Springs – 7 days a week, all year round.

Experience true NZ hospitality at the Tamaki Māori Village and Mitai Māori Village. Listen to storytellers share their customs, traditions and way of life. Watch as they perform ceremonial rituals and cultural re-enactments before offering you to take part in a traditional Hāngi feast.

Rotorua is a culturally rich city that has so much to offer its visitors. Whether you came to chill out or to chase adventure, evening ushers in plenty of fun things to do in Rotorua.

We hope you enjoy these great night attractions. Browse our blog further to discover everything Skyline Rotorua has to offer – including fantastic holiday itinerary ideas such as the adrenaline-packed Skyswing, Zoom Ziplines, and much more.