Joanne's local tips
Good places to eat
Booking is essential due to the excellent food and service. Lovingly managed by passionate foodies, an American couple who lived in Venezuela for years. Come here for New Zealands best margaritas
10 locals recommend
Sabroso Restaurant
1184 Haupapa StBooking is essential due to the excellent food and service. Lovingly managed by passionate foodies, an American couple who lived in Venezuela for years. Come here for New Zealands best margaritas
Atticus Finch
1106 Tutanekai StThe food is outstanding. Homebrewed lemonade is also good
This is a place only locals know about as its tucked away in the industrial zone. Close to town, its worth the visit as the food, especially the baked bread, is outstanding.
41 locals recommend
Ciabatta Cafe & Bakery
38 White StThis is a place only locals know about as its tucked away in the industrial zone. Close to town, its worth the visit as the food, especially the baked bread, is outstanding.
A local institution selling a range of true German beer, (yum) and serving good food, the Okere falls store often puts on live music and is a hub of local colour.
53 locals recommend
Okere Falls Store
757A State Hwy 33A local institution selling a range of true German beer, (yum) and serving good food, the Okere falls store often puts on live music and is a hub of local colour.
Rotorua Night Market
1029 Village GreenFor the best street food and market atmosphere
For fine dining, excellent service, great wine list and good cocktails.
The Regent Room Restaurant & Bar
1191 Pukaki StreetFor fine dining, excellent service, great wine list and good cocktails.
Pizzeria Imperfetto
1176 Pukaki StGreat wood fired pizzas and amazing antipasto
Skyline Rotorua
178 Fairy Springs RdMake sure you're very hungry as the buffet is exceptional
Absolutely delicious dumplings. Super clean. Friendly staff. An authentic slice of Asia
Spring festival dumpling
1240 Fenton StAbsolutely delicious dumplings. Super clean. Friendly staff. An authentic slice of Asia
Saigon '60s
1205 Fenton StHighly recommended
Don't miss this
Polynesian Spa
1000 Hinemoa St A favourite with locals and tourists
This walk is spectacular after dark when the artwork lanterns are lit up. It's very romantic and magical
150 locals recommend
Redwoods Treewalk
Tarawera RoadThis walk is spectacular after dark when the artwork lanterns are lit up. It's very romantic and magical
Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua
13/33 Waipa State Mill RdA great place to see our community spirit in action and eat breakfast
7 locals recommend
Rotary market at Kuirau Park
1371 Kuirau StA great place to see our community spirit in action and eat breakfast
The Arts Village
1240 Hinemaru StLocal artists craftspeople and good coffee
McLeods Booksellers
1105 Pukuatua StGreat for wonderful books, kiwi books, notebooks and specialist magazines
I just love wandering around this stunning place. There are georgeous gardens, animals galore and even lion cubs
31 locals recommend
Paradise Valley Springs
467 Paradise Valley RdI just love wandering around this stunning place. There are georgeous gardens, animals galore and even lion cubs
Mitai Maori Village
196 Fairy Springs RdPlaces to swim and picnic
Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)
Tarawera RoadA lovely place to swim and spend the day
Kerosene Creek
Old Waiotapu RoadA natural hot spring and waterfall off the beaten track
The water quality is unbelievable, its like swimming in silk. The locals drink this water and the fish caught here are beautiful to eat. The area is full of mystique as there was a huge eruption here that altered the landscape and buried local villages. For this reason the area is tapu or sacred. It's a wonderful lake to explore for a swim and the wonderful views. There is also a day trip to a waterfall.
24 locals recommend
Lake Tarawera
The water quality is unbelievable, its like swimming in silk. The locals drink this water and the fish caught here are beautiful to eat. The area is full of mystique as there was a huge eruption here that altered the landscape and buried local villages. For this reason the area is tapu or sacred. It's a wonderful lake to explore for a swim and the wonderful views. There is also a day trip to a waterfall.
Hot tuns in the Bush, open fires and a huge tent, this is a great place to go for something different
40 locals recommend
Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua
13/33 Waipa State Mill RdHot tuns in the Bush, open fires and a huge tent, this is a great place to go for something different
If you're looking for a day trip with an easy walk, beautiful scenery, Bush and lake swimming, lake Okataina is off the beaten track. Its 45 minutes from my place and worth a visit
Lake Okataina, Bay of Plenty 3074, New Zealand
If you're looking for a day trip with an easy walk, beautiful scenery, Bush and lake swimming, lake Okataina is off the beaten track. Its 45 minutes from my place and worth a visit
Sightseeing
Get close up and personal with wicked volcanic landscapes and boiling mud
57 locals recommend
Wai-O-Tapu
201 Waiotapu Loop RdGet close up and personal with wicked volcanic landscapes and boiling mud
Visitors report this place exceeds expectation and is well worth a visit. I haven't been, but it looks very well done
161 locals recommend
Hobbiton Movie Set station
501 Buckland RdVisitors report this place exceeds expectation and is well worth a visit. I haven't been, but it looks very well done
There is a great thermal park and good mud pools
54 locals recommend
Hells Gate Geothermal Park and Mud Bath Spa
351 State Hwy 30There is a great thermal park and good mud pools
Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village
17 Tryon StA genuine local experience
NZMACI (NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute) - Te Puia
20 Hemo RdNot to be missed
Adventure activities
Whakarewarewa Red Woods Mountain Bike Park
Very popular with bike enthusiasts
Kaituna Rafting - Rotorua Whitewater Rafting
For the adventure seekers
This is quite an experience of you like heights and even if you don't
9 locals recommend
Adrenalin Forest Bay of Plenty
Weld RoadThis is quite an experience of you like heights and even if you don't
Kaituna Cascades Rafting Company
18 Okere Falls RdGuests report enjoying this very much