Rotorua is one of my favourite spots to visit on New Zealand’s beautiful North Island! There are tons of activities to suit every type of traveller, but we all know the cost of adventure adds up quickly. Luckily, you can enjoy Rotorua on any budget.
There are a lot of epic things to experience in the area, from luxury to free and everywhere in between. You just have to get past the smell… the natural beauty comes at a sulphur-y price.
None of the content in this article is sponsored, but it does contain affiliate links. This means I get a commission if you book an experience I’ve shared, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! All prices are in NZD.
Getting around Rotorua on any budget
Here’s how you can get to and around Rotorua on any budget:
Rent a car
All the best parts of New Zealand are more outdoorsy and typically aren’t accessible by public transport. This is especially true in Rotorua.
You can find rentals for under $100/day and a full tank is around $80, but I’ve found last-minute deals under $20/day, but I wouldn’t count on that! I usually use DiscoverCars to find the best price. Gas (or “petrol,” as the locals say) is spenny on this side of the world, sorry.
Note: New Zealanders drive on the left side of the road and most cars are automatic.
Take the bus from Auckland
If you don’t want to drive a rental car all the way from Auckland, you can get the bus for $30ish with InterCity. You can then pick up a car in Rotorua, which is usually cheaper! Bus ticket prices can be drastically different. But if you’re on the ball and book far enough in advance, you can sometimes find tickets for as low as 5 bucks!
Pro budget tip
If your schedule is super flexible, check out TransferCar. It connects you to rental offices that need their cars returned to a different location, so they let you drive one for free (or sometimes like, $1).
The catch is that you only have a set amount of days to get from point A to B, and you have to pay for your own petrol. For example, you might drive it from the Auckland Airport to Wellington City Centre in 4 days. They often let you add a couple of additional days for a fee. In this case, you could hit Rotorua for a day on your way down!
Not exactly leisurely…but soooo affordable, and insurance is usually included.
Ok, you made it to Rotorua... let's get to the good stuff!
Here’s all the best stuff you can do in Rotorua on any budget, whether you like to travel bougie or hunt for discounts.
See some freaky geothermal wonders
Here are the best geothermal parks and activities you can do in Rotorua on any budget:
Wai-O-Tapu
$45 entry, 25-minute drive from Rotorua
This is Rotorua’s most famous geothermal park. You can choose from 3 trail options and meander through what should surely be on the world’s list of natural wonders. Everything is completely mind-blowing! I honestly think it may be one of the most interesting places I’ve ever been. You can get tickets for the self-guided geothermal walk and Lady Knox Geyser on the Wai-O-Tapu site. Also Check BookMe, it sometimes has discounts!
This pic is one I sneakily took with my drone when the park was closed during COVID.
Orakei Korako
$47 entry, 1-hour drive from Rotorua
Here you can see a smaller, less jaw-dropping, yet still rad park full of steaming, bubbling, and smelly miracles of the earth. Admission price includes the ferry ride across the lake to gain access to the cave & park. It’s a really pretty walk with some interesting sights that will make you feel as if you’re in the Jurassic period (without all the dinosaurs).
Kuirau Park
Free! 0 minutes from Rotorua
If you’re on a really tight budget, you can still check out some weird geothermal stuff for FREE! Not only that, but it’ll be a quick stroll from wherever you’re staying in the city.
Here you can see some bubbling mud, steamy sulphur ponds, and even dip your feet in a small hot spring. It’s not as mind-blowing or colourful as the other geothermal parks, but is a great option if you’re just swinging through or are on a super tight budget. And, if the sulphur smell doesn’t affect your appetite, you can bring your own food and use the communal BBQs to enjoy a picnic.
Visit Whakarewarewa Forest (The Redwoods)
There are a few different ways to explore the Redwood Forest in Rotorua on any budget.
Treewalk (Hanging Bridges)
$39 entry, 5-minute drive or 45-minute walk from Rotorua
Seems a bit steep just to walk on some bridges, right? Well, maybe, but it’s so cool! The walkways hang between these epic, old, majestic af redwoods and there’s more than half a kilometre to explore. I highly suggest you avoid Sunday afternoons if you don’t care for screaming children… but if you have a screaming child, this may be for you!
You can also visit at night when everything is alight with hanging lanterns and artist installations. I think this is the best time to go, and it’s a great date activity!
Look for discounted tickets on BookMe – I’ve seen tickets for as little as $22.
Hiking trails
Free! 5-minute drive or 45-minute walk from Rotorua
There’s a whole network of trails through the forest that vary in difficulty and length. I’ve done the 2-hour Pohaturoa track, and while it was lovely, the first hour was the best part. So if you want to go for a short and relatively flat stroll, you can do one of the shorter tracks and still see all the most beautiful bits of the forest.
Treat yo'self in Rotorua on any budget
Hitting one of the geothermal hot springs is a must-do in Rotorua. There are luxury spas, free steaming rivers, and everything in between. So take your pick!
Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa
$150+, 10-minute walk from central Rotorua
This is the most luxurious option in town, and the newest! It’s a multi-step experience that involves several hot springs, “fire and ice caves,” a “mud lounge” saunas, and more. They also do regular spa stuff like facials and massages, and offer packages that include several services. Definitely the best way to indulge when you’re in Rotorua! Book here.
I haven’t been yet, but my friends have and they said it was a amazing.
Polynesian Spa
$39-95, 10-minute walk from central Rotorua
Considered one of the best spas in the world, there are different ways to enjoy the Polynesian Spa. The most popular is the $55 Deluxe Lake Spa, where you can soak in 5 mineral baths of various temperatures in a lovely outdoor setting overlooking the lake. If you’re brave (or crazy) you can even hop in the cold plunge!
You can sometimes find discounted tickets on BookMe — I once went for $26 because I went after 9:30 pm. Highly recommend!
Waikite Thermal Pools
$25 entry, 30-minute drive from Rotorua
If you’re heading towards Lake Taupo it’s definitely worth making a stop at these hot springs. You can book a private spa with up to 4 people for $25 on Get Your Guide, which includes access to the communal pools after your time is up. I’ve also seen it 50% off on BookMe.
The communal pools are still hot, but nothing to write home about. So I’d definitely spring for a private pool if you’re going to go. It’s best to book in advance and I highly recommend visiting for sunset.
Kerosene Creek
Free! 25-minute drive from Rotorua
Have you ever heard of a geothermal river?! Just off the main Thermal Explorer Highway, you can find this natural wonder and free hidden gem. You get all the benefits of a geothermal spa at the low low price of $0. See, I told you there were lots of things to do in Rotorua on any budget!
It’s just a short walk from the parking lot along a (slightly treacherous) trail to reach the steaming sulphur creek. You could even do the walk barefoot, like a true Kiwi. The heat is completely natural and just so happens to be a perfect temperature. I don’t know how Mother Earth does it. Make sure you get below the waterfall for a quick shoulder massage.
Get muddy
You can really… immerse yourself in what Rotorua has to offer if you’re willing to get a little dirty.
Tikitere (Hell's Gate)
$45-90, 15-minute drive from Rotorua
You’ve gotta try everything once, right? Here’s your golden opportunity to cover yourself (or someone else) in some mud! It’s supposed to have awesome skin benefits, and let’s be honest, it’s fun to get a little dirty sometimes. Unfortunately, this activity isn’t cheap, and a mud bath will run you $85pp. The geothermal walk costs $45 but doesn’t include any mud or hot springs.
You can pay $105 to get access to the mad baths, sulphur pools, and the geothermal reserve walk. I think it’s worth it to do it all. YOLO! You can book here.
Bubbling mud pools
Free! All over Rotorua
If you’re a mud enthusiast but can’t afford to cover yourself in it at Hell’s Gate, the next best thing is to stare at an even hotter version of it from a safe distance. Bubbling mud pools are all over New Zealand, specifically in this area of the North Island.
You’ll see signs for them along the Thermal Explorer Highway, and they can also be found in and near Wai-O-Tapu, or any of the previously mentioned geothermal parks. A lot of these pools have been bubbling since the Jurassic period or something. Just don’t touch them!
Indulge in your nerdy side in Rotorua on any budget
New Zealand is the home of the Hobbits. Peter Jackson, who directed the films and is a born Kiwi, knew this was the perfect location to bring the movies to life. There are lots of movie locations to visit around the country, but none are more iconic than Hobbiton. Here’s where you can live your LotR fantasy in (ok, near) Rotorua on any budget:
Hobbiton
$120, 1-hour drive from Rotorua (2 hours from Auckland)
The famous home of Bilbo, Frodo, and all their tiny little mates. The filming location of The Shire is the star of Matamata, a small town between Auckland and Rotorua, and it’s worth visiting even if you’re not a die hard LotR fan! If you’re coming from Auckland, it’s also the perfect place to refuel and grab a coffee or pie for the road.
You can only visit the set as part of a tour, and it seems they’ve decided they can charge whatever they want. It’s extortion at $120, but at least it includes a beer at the end (or ginger beer if that’s more your thing). I know I just said it was worth it and then said it was extortionate. And I know that’s confusing, but somehow it’s both. You can get your tickets on Get Your Guide or through the Hobbiton website — make sure you book well in advance!
I also featured this pic on my page of beautiful doors from around the world. Check out The Daily Door and send me your best finds so I can share them with the world!
Hobbits on a budget
Free – $15, 1-hour drive from Rotorua
If you’re keen to do some hobbit-y stuff but not like, $120 keen, I suggest visiting the tourist info office in the centre of town. It’s built to look like a hobbit house and is full of souvenirs.
After window shopping or picking up a Gandalf keychain, have a home-cooked meal at the Dew Drop Inn, which has a cozy hobbit home feel. You’ll probably be passing through Matamata on your way to Rotorua anyway, and it’s an easy pit stop whether you’re into hobbits or nah.
BookMe often has bundle day tour packages that include Hobbiton if you don’t want to drive.
Find an exciting adventure in Rotorua on any budget
NZ is a hot destination for adrenaline junkies, and Rotorua is a hub where you can find lots of things that will get your heart pumping.
Sky diving
$400
Many consider Lake Taupo one of the best places to sky dive because of the incredible view you get on the way down. The one-hour drive from Rotorua to Taupo is beautiful and you can hit a lot of the activities I’ve listed above on your way to jump out of a plane.
White water rafting
$140
New Zealand is the home of extreme sports – you have to try something while you’re here. I went white water rafting down Okere Falls without really having any expectations for what that would entail and I was NOT disappointed. It was a blast.
It’s a wee bit expensive for a 3ish hour activity, but check Get Your Guide and BookMe for deals! I lucked out and got it 50% off ($70).
Zorbing
$45 – 120
I want to meet the person who came up with this. Like, why? “Roll down a hill in a giant balloon.” I don’t know what else to say. Give it a go. You can book in advance on their website or hope to find a good deal on BookMe.
Amazing! A wealth of great information and a fun read. Makes me want to go back to Rotorua to do all the things I missed.