Rotorua Activities
Explore Rotorua
Rotorua, a town set on its namesake lake on New Zealand's North Island, is renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. In Te Puia’s Whakarewarewa Valley, there are bubbling mud pools and the 30m-tall Pohutu Geyser, which erupts many times daily. It’s also home to a living Maori village and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, with traditional wood carving and weaving schools. However, there’s more to Rotorua than its culture:
- Its great people
- Beautiful Wilderness Walkways
- Short drive to Mt Maunganui and Taupo
- Excellent restaurants
- Maori cultural experiences
- Adventure activities
- Mountain biking
- Gysers and hot pools
Check out The Backpacker Group to see what deals you can get with many activities in the region.
The History Of Rotorua
Rotorua is unusual among New Zealand cities in being neither a port nor originally a farm service centre. Rotorua was built in the early 1880s by the government, as a town for tourists visiting the ‘hot lakes’. It was laid out on the Pukeroa–Oruawhata block, land leased from Ngāti Whakaue near the Māori lakeside settlement of Ōhinemutu. This arrangement with the tribal owners broke down, and the government became the sole owner in 1888. The arrival of the railway in 1894 spurred growth. The government developed a European-style spa with ornamental gardens, and bathing and therapeutic facilities. After the Second World War, growth was also fostered by forest, farm and hydroelectricity development.
What our previous guests have said
Thanks very much for our stay. The group accommodation was incredibly well set up. Great kitchen facilities, with everything you could possibly need to cook
Manawatu Water Polo - 2021
We had a great time in Rotorua at your place. Everything is close by and handy to go to. All the staff in the backpackers are all so welcome and kind and
Miho, Auckland
Thank you so much for having us, was the best accommodation we have stayed at and look forward to coming back next year. Everything was amazing. We look
Raukawa Basketball 2021
Thanks for having us. It was such a perfect location and the facilities were ideal for a school group. Thanks again. We will definitely be using you guys
Waiheke High School – September 2020
Good location, decent rooms and common areas. All the facilities were as described. Great budget hostel, has everything you need and is clean. Very good
Bianca
Stayed for one night at the called "premium area" on Level 2 which has been recently renovated. The kitchen was awesome, toilets very clean.
Saulo
Loved everything about this place, The service, the staff, the rooms,the location, enjoyed our stay & they made our stay very comfortable, Everything was
John
The Group accommodation at Rock Solid Backpackers is a well-equipped and thoughtfully laid out space. Our team and staff were able to easily co-ordinate team
Otago Water Polo - 2021
Dear Dale and Staff members! A Huge Thank You for all your assistance during our stay at Rock Solid Backpackers! I can honestly say the accommodation for boys
Tania, Australia
Thank you so much for the organisation and the hosting of our team this week. We appreciate the help and service provided to us. We had a great week of
Hayden, Palmerston North Boys High School - June 2025