Lake Rotorua

Lake Rotorua

Lake Rotorua
4.5
About
The largest of a dozen lakes formed by volcanic activity, this clear, calm lake offers cruises, kayaking and sailing, as well as great trout fishing.
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  • Neil B
    Auckland, New Zealand1,495 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Superb public lakefront space
    Amazing enhancement to Rotorua's lakefront since our last visit. Beautiful landscaping, boardwalk, and cool all ages playground occupy the space that used to be a carpark. Well done to the local authority!
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 16 March 2024
  • Mouzouris
    Detroit, Michigan2,142 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice lake
    Our Airbnb was across the park so the lake was two minutes walk for us. We visited a couple of times as my wife’s favorite coffee truck was right there. Great for people watching, exercise, playground for the kids. Also looked like plane and chopper tours took off or could be booked from right there.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 9 April 2024
  • familytravel4x4
    Liphook, United Kingdom726 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth the walk
    We walked around part of the lake from the sea planes around the headland and past the thermal area. The lake has lots of black swans and it is interesting to see the clear water change to the silica laden green/ blue volcanic area. A great introduction to this volcanic region.
    Visited October 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 20 October 2024
  • Lian Tiong G
    Subang Jaya, Malaysia4,557 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Christmas Morning Walk At Rotorua Lake
    Took a short walk beside Lake Rotorua outside our hotel on the Christmas morning after breakfast. Peaceful and calm but strong ordour of methane like gas to bear with. The sun heat is strong even at 9.30 am but cool under the trees. The greenery on the other side of the lake makes a nice backdrop view of the lake scenery.
    Visited December 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 24 December 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,064 reviews
Excellent
457
Very good
481
Average
116
Poor
8
Terrible
2

Naina-Damani
London, UK991 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
It is the second largest lake in the North Island of New Zealand and located in the Bay of Plenty. Beautiful crystal clear lake and our hotel was next to Lake Rotorua. It is considered the most productive trout fishery in New Zealand.
Written 29 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gemtt
Auckland Central, New Zealand39 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Enjoyed the informative free tour of the gardens with history around the government house. Unfortunately the museum was closed awaiting earthquake strengthening during our visit. Hope to return in 2022 when it should be open!
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sachin K
New York City, NY6,542 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Solo
Lake Rotorua is a fabulous lake and can be reached by a short walk from the city center. It was a very pleasant experience just walking on the pathway at the edge of the lake and watching some interesting wild life including some black swans. Certainly would very highly recommend Lake Rotorua to any traveler.
Written 26 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John Raggas
Thessaloniki, Greece38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2015 • Friends
A definetly mest see place in north New Zealand. There you see real Maoris the way they live and can accomodate! We have a fantastic daytrip there
Written 26 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hansromer
Yarmouth, ME47 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2017 • Solo
Nice area, plenty to do. Sailing, flying, hiking, bathing (Hell's Gate), dining, gondola, mountain biking and wine tasting (me!) I stayed at newly renovated Lake Rotorua hotel and was a comfortable 3-4 start hotel, just 5 minutes from downtown. Touring NZ? A must stop, especially to see all the geothermal sites!
Written 5 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul Legate
United Kingdom21,955 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2017 • Couples
Lake Rotorua is located to the north of the city and was created from a volcano that last erupted 240,000 years ago and as a consequence the magma chamber underneath collapsed and left a depression known as the Rotorua Caldera. It is a particularly pleasant area and there were a lot of people enjoying the tranquillity of the lake on the day of our visit especially as it was a particularly hot summer's day.
Written 14 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

csundseth
Lake Ridge, VA265 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2014 • Friends
Rotorua is a nice visit especially for foreigners who are unused to the natural wonders so abundant in New Zealand. We took the helicopter short tour (8 minutes I think) but the views were worth the price.
Written 4 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

OurTravelLife
Estero, FL78 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
In Rotorua city, almost the entire waterfront is blocked off for renovation. I'm sure it will be beautiful when it's done but now its hard to get a lake-side view.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John S
Exeter, UK297 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
We had previously visited this beautiful lake and found this time that due to construction work we had to find our way around to the shore. Once there it is very magical and we loved the black swans.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Freeman5802
Worcestershire, UK260 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Third time visiting Rotorua, it Somehow relaxes you . Yoh quickly do not notice the smell of sulphur , we always find something new to do, be interested to see how they redevelop the waterfront I hope they do not lose its charm.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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