LITTLE ADVENTURES
Families with kids ages 5-9
Just a few hours from Auckland, Rotorua offers a balanced blend of light adventure, natural beauty, and plenty of space to unwind. It’s easy to get around, packed with family-friendly experiences, and full of simple moments that feel like magic.
Arrive in Rotorua and check in to your accommodation — from lakeside holiday parks to boutique stays, there’s a great option for every sized family
- Explore Holiday homes in Rotorua
- Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park - located on the stunning Blue Lake, choose from Lakeview Motel units, spacious powered & non-powered camping sites or their new luxury Safari Tents.
Ease into your trip with an afternoon discovering the city’s heart. Stroll the Rotorua Lakefront boardwalk, wander through the historic Government Gardens, or simply relax while the kids enjoy the open green spaces.
When it’s time for dinner, Rotorua offers plenty of family-friendly dining:
- Spa City Noodle Bar for tasty casual eats,
- Eastwood Café for woodfired pizzas, or
- River’s Catch for family sized fish and chips
Start the day with the Rotorua Duck Tours, where a unique amphibious vehicle takes you across both land and lake. It’s a lively way to see the sights and learn about Rotorua’s fascinating landscapes.
Next, choose from a range of family attractions:
- Paradise Valley Springs – meet trout, native birds, farm animals, and even lions.
- aMAZEme – find your way through a living hedge maze and enjoy old-fashioned outdoor games.
- Wonderworld Amazement Park – full of interactive puzzles, optical illusions, and a timber maze to explore.
- 3D Trick Art Gallery, where clever illusions make for fun family photos and lots of laughter.
For a quitter afternoon, head to the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest. Walk high above the forest floor on the Redwoods Treewalk, then return at night to see the enchanting Nightlights experience, when lanterns transform the towering canopy.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about a long soak in warm, mineral-rich water. In Rotorua. Waikite Valley Hot Pools are tucked away in the beautiful countryside and a special place to experience the natural, hot geothermal water of the Te Manaroa Spring, the largest single source of 100% pure geothermal water in New Zealand. If you have time, explore the Eco Trail to Te Manaora Spring, and have bite to eat from the café before you head home.
