Ace Rental Cars Blog

Beautiful landscapes and exciting adventures are not hard to come by in Rotorua. This North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui town gets its namesake from the lake it is nestled next to and is also home to volcanic landscapes and natural hot springs. With your Ace rental car, you can follow this guide to make the most of Rotorua in just 48 hours.

• Local parks and markets
• Māori history
• Geothermal pools
• Beach eats

Explore the Town Centre

• Kuirau Park
• Saturday markets

At the centre of the town sits Kuirau Park, a geothermal wonderland in its very own public park. With hissing pools and bubbling surfaces that are known to erupt, Kuirau Park is a natural wonder not to be missed. On your first day in Rotorua, spend some time exploring this public park and its boardwalks that lead you around the geothermal activity happening below you. The three-foot pools mean that you can test the water for yourself and experience the geothermal springs first-hand. As exciting and fascinating the bubbling waters are, make sure you stay behind any safety barriers, as the pools can erupt without warning. If you are visiting Rotorua on a Saturday, make sure to head down early to Kuirau Park to check out the Kuirau Park Markets. Run by volunteers and selling everything from fresh produce to preloved clothes, the markets are a great way to spend the morning wandering around, drinking coffee, trying the local food, and browsing the colourful stalls.

Learn About Māori Culture

• Whakarewarewa Thermal Village
• Pig and Whistle pub

Rotorua is the perfect destination to learn more about Māori culture and its significant histories. At the southern end of town is Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, a cultural hotspot of mud pools, geothermal activity, and rich history. The home of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, Whakarewarewa is known as the iconic living Māori village. Visitors can take a guided tour to learn first-hand from local experts about the cultural importance of the area and the way it has changed over the years as you follow the geothermal walking trails and get in touch with Mother Earth (Papatuanuku). The geothermal reserve can also be explored self-guided or on an e-bike, so you can choose the best way for you to explore the wonderland of natural beauties that surround. Head back into town for a feed at the historic Pig and Whistle Pub, located in the town’s centre. Serving up all the pub classics, settle down with a local craft beer in the dining area of this heritage hotel and take a moment to relax before another day of exploring Rotorua.

Marvel at Geothermal Pools

• Te Puia
• Hot n Cold River

For your second day in Rotorua, jump in your rental car and get ready to explore some of the incredible geothermal pools that are interspersed all around the town and its surrounds. Situated in the Pacific Rim of Fire, it’s no surprise that Rotorua is a region made up of volcanic valleys and geothermal wonderlands. Only five minutes from the town’s centre is the legendary Pōhutu Geyser in Te Puia, a natural theme park of mud pools, bubbling geothermal lakes and dramatic geysers. For a budget-friendly experience of Te Puia, head to the hill south of the geothermal attraction, just off Waipa State Hill Road, and you’ll be able to catch a view of Te Puia park and the Pōhutu Geyser, as well as a stunning backdrop of the town below—all for free. For another accessible way to absorb yourself in Rotorua culture, head to the Hot n Cold River, less than a thirty-minute drive south of Rotorua. The convergence of hot thermal water with a cool running source means that you can move around the pool until you find a spot where the temperature is just right.

Indulge in Local Grub

• Lake Rotorua
• Fish and chips

End your 48 hours in relaxing Rotorua with a meal and a view. Fish and chips by Lake Rotorua is the perfect way to experience the shores of the pristine blue lake and take in all the surrounding landscapes that make up this beautiful town. There are a variety of takeaway fish and chip shops to try around town, like Koutu Fish Shop, and the lake is never too far from any of them. Take in the scenery and sit back with your feed as you watch the sun graze over the lake’s surface and set over the town.

Discover more about local culture and the geothermal wonders that make up Rotorua in this two-day itinerary that embraces the natural attractions of the town and its surrounding areas.