CityBuddy
Lake Rotorua
Best time to visit
Early morning when the lake is calmest and the geothermal steam rises in spectacular columns above the surface. Autumn brings milder temperatures and fewer crowds.
Budget tips
The shore is completely free for walking and picnics. Only parking at designated areas is paid, around 2-4 NZD per hour.
Recommended for
Nature lovers, Photographers, Families, Peace and relaxation seekers
Plan your visit
2-4 hours
About
Quick facts: With an area of 80 square kilometers, it is the largest lake on the North Island. The water is mildly sulfurous and has a characteristic milky blue color due to dissolved minerals and geothermal springs at the bottom.
Highlights: Imagine bathing in water that naturally steams at 40°C in the shallows because geothermal springs mix with the cooler lake water. The local Māori tribe Te Arawa believes the lake is a sacred place where ancestral spirits travel between worlds, and each year they hold a ceremony on the shore that tourists rarely see.
Insider tips
- Bring your swimsuit because on the southern shore there are several hidden spots where you can bathe in geothermally heated water.
- The best photos are taken from the air, from the hill of Mt Ngongotaha, not from the shore.
- Avoid the western shore on weekend afternoons when the crowds of local day-trippers are at their largest.
- Bring sneakers and hiking poles for the Sulphur Point walking trail, which leads through the geothermal area.
Practical info
Where to Stay in Rotorua
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