Rotorua is a great place to create memories that you’ll be talking about for years to come.
Travelling with your family is exciting and loads of fun – especially when the best attractions, cafés, restaurants and free things to do are all within easy access (think: less time for backseat feuds!).
Feed the animals and your love for adventure
Who doesn’t love to stop and snuggle actual live giant bunnies on a mini golf course? Or feed furry alpaca, sheep and other farm animals at Rotorua Heritage Farm, or visit the small-animal enclosure at aMAZEme (also a great place to lose the kids for a while!)?
If adventure is at the top of your list, roll downhill in a giant inflatable ZORB, race each other on Luges at Skyline Rotorua, and much more.
Get out into nature
Geothermal parks always leave the kids in awe over the steam, bubbling mud, erupting geysers and colourful lakes that look like they’re straight out of a Dr Seuss book. Several hot pools have family zones for a bit of fun. Whakarewarewa Forest (aka “The Redwoods”) as well 14 of our 18 lakes are free to visit year-round.
Rainy day activities
If the weather isn’t cooperating, Rotorua has a number of activities for rainy day fun. Motion Entertainment has ten-pin bowling, mini golf, trampoline park, laser tag, escape rooms, Chipmunks Playland, and electronic games galore, all under one roof! The 3D Trick Art Gallery and a WWII amphibious duck vehicle tour are also on offer to keep everyone entertained.
Finding accommodation
To find the perfect place to stay in Rotorua for your family, we recommend booking through one of our two Rotorua i-SITE Visitor Information Centres for free and expert advice. Ask about Rotorua's range of family friendly places to stay.
For more inspiration or to help make the most of a long weekend in Rotorua check out this three day itinerary. And remember to sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with the latest news from RotoruaNZ.
Motion Entertainment
Family Fun, East
Fun for all ages with 10 attractions under one roof. Create your own adventure in New Zealand's largest range of face-to-face fun in the country!
DriftKartz
Family Fun, Central
Race on an indoor go-kart drift track and see if you have what it takes to control the out-of-control race karts!
Hell's Gate Geothermal Park & Mud Spa
Family Fun, East
Hell’s Gate is Rotorua’s most active geothermal reserve and New Zealand’s only mud spa complex.
Kaitiaki Adventures - Rafting the Kaituna River
Family Fun
Multi-award winning Kaitiaki Adventures is passionate about continually providing world-class adventure tourism experiences in Rotorua. They love to share Aotearoa’s stunning environment, history and unique Māori culture, all the while infusing your experience with the warm and caring manaakitanga (hospitality) Rotorua is renowned for.
Raftabout Whitewater Rafting & Sledging
Family Fun
If you're looking for an awesome day out whitewater rafting, then look no further than Raftabout, a family-owned company that aims to excel.
Rotorua Paddle Tours
Family Fun
Stand-up paddle (SUP) board tours and lessons on Lake Rotorua and surrounding waterways.
Fish & Game Eastern Region
Family Fun
Fish & Game Eastern Region manages the trout fishery of the region including the world-famous Rotorua lakes.
The National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa
Family Fun, North
The whole family will love the globally acclaimed National Kiwi Hatchery. It’s the only purpose-built kiwi conservation centre in the world that’s open to the public, and New Zealand’s only open-to-view kiwi hatchery and rearing facility.
Mini Golf Rotorua
Family Fun, North
Challenge yourself to a game of mini golf at one of the most picturesque mini golf courses in the country.
Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights
Family Fun, East
Majestic and magical, the Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights experience is truly a walk to remember.