Crankworx is coming to Rotorua

Wednesday: The festival sparks to life

You arrive in town and immediately feel it – the buzz at the edge of the forest that only Crankworx can bring. Everywhere you look there’s a bike leaning against a fence, a splash of colour on riding tops, and anticipation rising like steam from thermal vents. Crankworx Rotorua, one of the most iconic stops on the Crankworx World Tour, is underway – five days of elite Downhill, Slopestyle, Dual Slalom and Pump Track challenges set against Mt Ngongotahā’s legendary terrain.

You wander through the festival village at Skyline Rotorua, coffee in hand, soaking up the sound of announcers and cheering crowds, and let the energy pull you in. It’s a space where pro riders rub shoulders with first-timers and kids cheer from the sidelines.

The afternoon’s ritual is simple – geothermal bathing at Polynesian Spa’s lakeside pools followed by indulgence at 88Ra Café Rotorua with their award-winning gelato.

Thursday: The buzz around town

Crankworx is now in well underway.

Before you head out, Ciabatta Café & Bakery offers comfort in the form of strong coffee and freshly baked pastries, a moment of calm before you dive into the day’s racing.

As the New Zealand National Downhill Championships light up the hillside, you weave between spectators and the Expo zone, watching New Zealand's brightest talent secure their national titles. 

Come late afternoon, unwind at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa. Built on the legacy of Ngāti Whakaue healing practices, it’s the perfect place to pause and reset.

Friday: Big runs & bigger grins

Today feels electric – the kind of day where heckling and spontaneous applause follow every descent. Riders are here for the glory and spectators are here for every ounce of it. Whether you find a vantage point at rock gardens or a curve at Skyline’s gravity park, the competitive spirit radiates around Mount Ngongotahā.

Start your festival flow with a coffee from Boasters at Eleven Eighty, then feel the energy of the crowd as bikes rip down courses, tyres hit berms and airborne tricks punch the sky.

In the afternoon, find yourself at Okere Falls Store, a beloved local spot where craft brews, bold coffee and rustic eats sit beside the lake.

As dusk falls, slip into a cedar tub or the new sauna’s at Secret Spot Hot Tubs, surrounded by native bush metres from the Whakarewarewa trails.

Weekend: Cheers & Championships

The weekend peaks for Saturday and Sunday – Crankworx Rotorua hits its stride with finals, fierce competition and mountain bike moments that will be talked about long after the flags come down. Slopestyle artistry and downhill speed converge in a high-energy showcase of precision, power and performance.

From your spot on the hillside to the crowd’s roar near finish lines, there’s a collective energy that circles back to conversations in town later: at cafés, local bars, in queues for fast food.

For generous portions, pick up something tasty from River’s Catch – their kai is fresh, and full of flavour.

If you’re keen for a quieter finish, the softly lit Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights offers calm and magic above the forest floor.

Most activities can be booked online. Best to plan ahead, especially on event weekends.