Guidebook for Tikitere
Sightseeing
The Buried Village is an amazing place to go to for peace and tranquility. The story of the the Mt Tarawera eruption is fascinating
41 locals recommend
Buried Village of Te Wairoa
1180 Tarawera RoadThe Buried Village is an amazing place to go to for peace and tranquility. The story of the the Mt Tarawera eruption is fascinating
Hell's Gate is amazing. It's the only geothermal park of it's kind, being more about the fiery action of thermal rather than the pretty colours. You can also have a spa there in the mud pool and then the sulphur pool. You can see wood carving and even have a go yourself. When you do the walk around the park and you go through the native bush where the hot waterfall is, you come out the other side into what looks and almost feels like another planet, or maybe the moon. If you don't want to pay for the spa as well then you can still use the mud foot pool before leaving the park to rest and restore your feet after the walk. This is my favourite of all the thermal parks around Rotorua.
54 locals recommend
Hells Gate Geothermal Park and Mud Bath Spa
351 State Hwy 30Hell's Gate is amazing. It's the only geothermal park of it's kind, being more about the fiery action of thermal rather than the pretty colours. You can also have a spa there in the mud pool and then the sulphur pool. You can see wood carving and even have a go yourself. When you do the walk around the park and you go through the native bush where the hot waterfall is, you come out the other side into what looks and almost feels like another planet, or maybe the moon. If you don't want to pay for the spa as well then you can still use the mud foot pool before leaving the park to rest and restore your feet after the walk. This is my favourite of all the thermal parks around Rotorua.
Parks & Nature
There are so many beautiful walks through The Redwoods. You can do a short walk around from the I-Site Visitor Information Centre or you can gear up and do some great hikes. Its also fantastic for runners of all levels. You can start from here for mountain biking trails as well.
117 locals recommend
Redwoods – Whakarewarewa Forest
There are so many beautiful walks through The Redwoods. You can do a short walk around from the I-Site Visitor Information Centre or you can gear up and do some great hikes. Its also fantastic for runners of all levels. You can start from here for mountain biking trails as well.
The tree walk is great for those who prefer a calmer canopy tour than ziplining. Here you climb up a set of stairs to approximately 12 metres above ground. You walk across suspension bridges traversing between the Californian coastal redwoods. Its a good length walk of about half a kilometre and gives great views of the forest from above. Some great photos can be taken up there. My favourite photo is of a Punga Tree from above - spectacular.
150 locals recommend
Redwoods Treewalk
Tarawera RoadThe tree walk is great for those who prefer a calmer canopy tour than ziplining. Here you climb up a set of stairs to approximately 12 metres above ground. You walk across suspension bridges traversing between the Californian coastal redwoods. Its a good length walk of about half a kilometre and gives great views of the forest from above. Some great photos can be taken up there. My favourite photo is of a Punga Tree from above - spectacular.
Food Scene
Eat Street is the length of a street block and it is open to foot traffic only. It is covered in when it rains by a retractable roof which is opened up on fine days to let in the light. Both sides of the street are lined with restaurants. There is something for everyone here. It's great for afternoon drinks with friends, dinner with a group or a romantic dinner for two, and then drinks and dancing later in the evening.
134 locals recommend
Eat Street
Tutanekai StreetEat Street is the length of a street block and it is open to foot traffic only. It is covered in when it rains by a retractable roof which is opened up on fine days to let in the light. Both sides of the street are lined with restaurants. There is something for everyone here. It's great for afternoon drinks with friends, dinner with a group or a romantic dinner for two, and then drinks and dancing later in the evening.
Drinks & Nightlife
Located in the old Police Station Building, hence the name, it's one of the best known, and the longest running nightspot in Rotorua. The Pig as we locals call it, is great for seeing live bands. In fact there are live bands every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Get there early and enjoy a pub dinner before dancing the night away out the back undercover in the garden bar. The Pig is also great for family lunches and dinners. They serve delicious curly fries that kids and adults alike love. Yum! There are also vegetarian and gluten free options.
48 locals recommend
Pig & Whistle, Historic Pub
1182 Tutanekai StLocated in the old Police Station Building, hence the name, it's one of the best known, and the longest running nightspot in Rotorua. The Pig as we locals call it, is great for seeing live bands. In fact there are live bands every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Get there early and enjoy a pub dinner before dancing the night away out the back undercover in the garden bar. The Pig is also great for family lunches and dinners. They serve delicious curly fries that kids and adults alike love. Yum! There are also vegetarian and gluten free options.
Essentials
FreshChoice is a small supermarket with an excellent range of products and big supermarket prices. It's great for a small shop or a full grocery run.
13 locals recommend
FreshChoice Te Ngae
554 Te Ngae RdFreshChoice is a small supermarket with an excellent range of products and big supermarket prices. It's great for a small shop or a full grocery run.