Daylight saving won’t last forever, but there’s still time to use those extra hours well. Longer mornings and drawn-out evenings create space to drift from one experience to the next, without feeling rushed.
This is your window to start early, stay out a little later and experience Rotorua at a more relaxed, rewarding pace. Here’s how to make the most of the light while it lasts.
Start your day by the lakeside
Early mornings feel generous at this time of year. Lakes are calmer, light is softer and the day hasn’t yet found its rhythm. Sunrise paddleboarding on Lake Ōkāreka or Lake Tarawera feels peaceful and unhurried, while a slow stroll along the Rotorua lakefront as mist lifts from the water is an easy, cost-free way to begin with intention rather than urgency.
Take an unhurried walk in the forest or parks
Whakarewarewa Forest offers space to move gently beneath its evergreen canopy. Lush and expansive, with a network of well-formed tracks, it’s cooler and quieter here, with filtered light and birdsong setting the tone. The forest remains rich and green year-round, making it a reliable escape for those wanting calm, shade and room to explore. These are the kinds of places where you don’t need a plan, just enough time to explore at your own pace.
Just beyond, Centennial Park tells a different autumn story. This is where you can truly see and feel the season settling in, as trees shift dramatically into deep reds and burnt oranges. Cooler days heighten the colour, fallen leaves soften the paths, and the landscape takes on a warm, cinematic glow. It’s arguably the most striking time of year to experience the park - when autumn is not just present, but on full display.
Enjoy the trails while they’re at their best
For mountain bikers, this time of year feels like a gift. The trails are running at their best in autumn – cooler temperatures, settled conditions and just enough moisture in the dirt create that legendary “hero” feel under tyre. With daylight saving still in play, there’s more time in the day to enjoy it. Later starts don’t mean shorter rides, and afternoons can stretch into golden-hour laps beneath the trees. Local riders know this is the season to squeeze in one more loop before heading home - the forest quieter, the light softer, the pace more relaxed. It’s not about racing the clock; it’s about making the most of it, knowing you’ve got that little bit of extra daylight to play with.
Watch the geothermal steam catch the golden hour
As the sun lowers, Rotorua’s geothermal landscapes come into their own. Kuirau Park is especially striking at golden hour, when the light shifts across the city and settles into a warm glow over the steaming ground. Geothermal steam catches the fading sun, mineral pools deepen in colour, and the entire landscape feels quietly dramatic. It’s a masterful display of light and energy - and one that’s completely free to experience. Easy to access and distinctly Rotorua, it’s the kind of place where you can pause, wander and let the day taper off naturally.
Stay out a little longer
Daylight saving is the perfect excuse to do evenings differently. With light stretching a little longer, al fresco dining becomes part of the experience rather than an afterthought.
On Eat Streat, tables spill into the open air, while Eastwood’s outdoor setting invites you to settle in with wood-fired plates and a drink as the sky slowly shifts overhead. There’s no rush to head inside - just time to enjoy the food and company you’re with.
For something more intimate, Poco Tapas offers a different pace. Tucked into its quaint, but welcoming space, you can share plates, catch up with friends and order one more drink. It’s an easy place to stay longer than planned.
When the light finally fades, trade the table for something unexpected. A glowworm tour with Taiao Adventures is a soft way to close the day - kayaking across calm lake waters at dusk before arriving at hidden glowworm caves that reveal themselves after dark. The transition from sunset to starlight becomes part of the experience, creating a peaceful, quietly magical end to an autumn evening.
