With bubbling mud pools, forest trails and tree top adventures Rotorua has some of the best attractions in New Zealand for families.
Located in the middle of the North Island, Rotorua is only a few hour’s drive from Auckland. The city is a hot spot for family fun in New Zealand and the birthplace of some of New Zealands most iconic adventure activities such as zorbing.
Rotorua for families is a destination like no other. From parks in the middle of the city that are fun for play to extreme sports such as bunjee jumping at Velocity there is something for all families with kids of any age in Rotorua.
What is the highest rated experience in Rotorua?
Things to do with kids in Rotorua
The area is dominated by Lake Rotorua, bubbling mud pools and a strong sense of Maori Culture. This North Island destination is popular for visitors to New Zealand.
Velocity Valley for the brave
Velocity Valley is an adventure park located on the outskirts of Rotorua, New Zealand. It’s a popular attraction that offers several thrilling activities suitable for adrenaline seekers and families with kids who like fast-paced thrill rides.
Activities at Velocity Valley:
- Swoop: A giant swing that drops from 40 meters high
- Schweeb: A human-powered monorail racing circuit
- Freefall Xtreme: A wind tunnel that simulates skydiving
- Shweeb Racer: A pedal-powered pod on a monorail track
- Rotorua Bungy: A 43-meter bungy jump
- Agrojet: A high-speed jet sprint boat experience
Most activities have minimum age and/or height requirements for safety reasons. These vary by activity, so it’s best to check their website for specific details.
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Mountain Bike Ride
Mountain biking is a popular outdoor activity in Rotorua for older kids and adults alike. One of the most popular locations for mountain biking is on the Redwood Forest floor.
The Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest has over 15 kilometres of mountain biking trails that are not too far from central Rotorua.
You will be pushed to find a better location anywhere as you weave your way under and around the giant redwoods. You will find plenty of family-friendly bike trails in Rotorua that suit younger children and the whole family.
Polynesian Spa Pool
The Polynesian Spa is a popular hot spring pool heated by geothermal activity. It is located in a stunning location on the Rotorua lakefront.
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These hot pools are suitable for both young children and older kids. They have a variety of pools in different depths to suit all levels of water safety.
We recommend jumping into one of the pools closest to Lake Rotorua for the best views of the surrounding areas and the Rotorua duck tours passing by.
One of the things we forgot while at the Spa was our drink bottles. It is really important to stay hydrated. Bring your own and fill up from the fountains.
Redwoods Treewalk
One of the most fun things to do in Rotorua for families is the tree-top walk in the Redwoods.
A series of platforms high in the Redwood forest are connected by bridges that allow you to explore the forest from up high. This has to be one of the most exciting things to do in Rotorua with kids.
The walk can be done day and night, offering two different experiences. After the sun goes down, the forest lights up in different colours as you go from start to finish.
It is a fun and exciting adventure for the whole family as you go from platform to platform high in the Redwoods. This was one of our favourite things to do in Rotorua.
We arrived late in the afternoon, well before sunset. We could enjoy the gorgeous colours of the sunset and the transition into darkness.
Rotorua Mini Golf Course with Rabbits
This is such a fun and quirky attraction in Rotorua for kids of any age. Let’s be honest: we all love a game of mini golf, and this venue in Rotorua twists the game by having live rabbits on the course.
Yes, you will see rabbits hopping and sitting in the venue on the greens and under the trees. This is a favourite destination for families in Rotorua and can be done during the day or under the floodlights at night.
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Skyline Rotorua
Skyline Rotorua is a multi-attraction destination not far from the city centre of Rotorua. Put this on your itinerary for any family holiday when you visit Rotorua.
Jump on a gondola that takes you up to the top of a hill, where you can get on a part go-cart, part toboggan. Once strapped in, you can start cruising down the hill at your own pace, enjoy the wind in your face, and cruise past native trees and through LED light tunnels.
Don’t worry if you have small children. Anyone over 2 years old and 85cm can go down the luge track with parents. Kids love this sort of adventure activity on a family vacation.
Zorbing in Rotorua
Does getting in a blow-up, see-through ball and rolling down a hill sound like fun for your family members?
If you need a break from geothermal parks and family pools, then Zorbing might be the exciting activity you’ve been looking for.
Zorb Rotorua has the longest zorbing track in the world for this type of adventure. Just be warned: you will get wet and need a change of clothes as 40 litres of water are put inside the ball to create a sliding experience as you roll down the hill, twisting and turning.
I was really worried that the Zorb Ball could get out of control, but there is a track they follow and the ball is constantly monitored by staff as it comes down the hill.
Rotorua Night Market
The night market is held every Thursday night in Rotorua town centre on Tutanekai Street between Hinemoa and Haupapa streets.
In Rotorua city centre, the street comes alive with food stalls, food vans, and live entertainment. In just a short walk, you can try a number of different cuisines and listen to some cool live music while eating.
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See New Zealand farm animals at the Agrodome
New Zealand is all about sheep, which the country is known for. At the Agrodome, you can catch shows to learn about these farm animals and see New Zealand sheep get sheered for their wool.
The farmyard nursery is a highlight, where you can see baby sheep and even feed them. Have you ever milked a cow or watched dogs round up the sheep? At Agrodome, you will have a memorable family-friendly interactive experience.
Government Gardens
This large green space area just near Rotorua city centre is home to several attractions. The most striking feature is a Tudor-designed building that houses the Rotorua Museum.
As of July 2024, the museum is closed for renovation. The best reason to visit the Government Gardens is that it is one of the best places to see Geothermal activity for free (Kuirau Park is another good option).
This free Geothermal Park has several bubbling hot pools that can be seen in the park. The park is within easy walking distance from most Rotorua accommodations.
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Rotura Lakefront playground
The playground on Lake Rotorua is a good spot to stop and chill a little bit. You will find plenty of play equipment, basketball courts, tracks for skateboards, scooters, flying foxes and a rope course.
It’s a must-visit location on a Rotorua holiday for families with kids of any age. Its proximity to Eat Street and Lady James Ice Cream Parlor makes it ideal if you’re hungry after burning off some energy at the lakefront Playground.
You can also find picnic tables at the children’s playground if you want to grab some takeaway food.
Cultural attractions in Rotorua
With a strong Moari presence in the area, there are many options in Rotorua and nearby locations such as Lake Taupo.
When you are in Rotorua with kids, head to Whakarewarewa – The Living Maori Village. The village is still a place of residence for local Moori but has been opened up to show tourists their way of life and their culture.
You can try Moari food, see art and explore the area of the geothermal park attached to the village.
At the Living Village, they offer a Hangi experience. You can learn about the cooking process and enjoy the food once it is done. I’m still upset we did not get this as an option
Other amazing things to do in Rotorua with kids
Try Escape Rooms
Take a dip at one of the good swimming beaches
Go on a self-guided walk along the Rotorua Boardwalk
Try a paddle board experience
Where to stay in Rotorua
We stayed at Rotorua Quest Central apartments. They have apartments for families, including three-bedroom studios and two-bedroom apartments for bigger families.
Quest is located in Rotorua city centre, just 100 meters from the main shopping street. If you’re driving, there is limited parking available, and we suggest you call the apartments to reserve parking. Find more hotels in Rotorua!
There are also a number of popular holiday parks, such as All Season Holiday Park and Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park, that offer cabin-style accommodation. A holiday park can offer extra features such as a swimming pool if you visit in the summer months.
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How to get to Rotorua
- It should take about 2 hours 38 minutes to travel from Auckland to Rotorua via SH 1. The directions are here. The distance is 140 miles.
- It should take about 5 hours and 36 minutes to get from Wellington to Rotorua via SH 1 and SH 1. The directions are here. The distance is 281 miles.
We hope this article from Wyld Family Travel has you inspired to visit New Zealand with teenagers. There are so many things to do in Rotorua that will have you entertained for your family’s whole stay in the city.
Choosing the best teenage vacation destinations, working out a budget, deciding what bags and suitcases to take, travelling essentials, and more can be time-consuming.
Planning family travel with kids, teenagers and tweens can be stressful, and finding the best travel tips is essential.
Our Travel with Teenagers Destination Guides have you covered! With insights from around the globe, these guides will spark inspiration for your next family vacation, making it an epic adventure with your teens.
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For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in New Zealand click through to our New Zealand Destination Guide page for more brilliant inspiration.
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Author bio:
Father, husband, traveller, and chief destination manager here at Wyld Family Travel. When Mark is not discussing travel or planning travel, you will find him working in disability support. Mark is a family travel advocate, having travelled to over 45 countries with his kids from 10 months to their teenage years. You will find his work here and on other popular websites.
Mark Wyld
Content Creator