There aren’t many places in the world where you can ride an e-bike through a steaming geothermal valley - but in Rotorua, this rare, otherworldly adventure is waiting for you.
Pick up an e-bike from Electric Bike Rotorua (with hire options for 2, 4 or 6 hours) and glide straight onto the self-guided geothermal trails, where steam rises from the ground and the earth hums beneath your wheels.
The path leads you through Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village, a place where Māori culture is part of everyday life. As you ride past bubbling mud pools, natural steam vents and glimpses of the village, you’ll feel the warmth of manaakitanga around you. Nothing here is staged - it’s real, grounded, and deeply connected to the land and the people who call it home.
Before you head out, grab kai (food) from the café or pack your own picnic. There’s something special about filling your backpack with good food before rolling into the forest.
Because just minutes down the trail, the geothermal landscape melts into the cool, shaded calm of the Whakarewarewa Forest (Redwood Forest). Here, the tall trees filter the light, the air feels fresh, and the busy world feels far away. Find a clearing or a picnic table, unpack your lunch, and simply sit for a while - it’s the perfect pause between discovery and adventure.
With the e-bike doing the hard work, the day feels wonderfully easy - plenty of time to linger, take photos and cruise through the trees at your own pace. It’s one of those only-in-Rotorua adventures that feels equal parts fun, surprising and quietly unforgettable.
