Things To Do In Rotorua Without A Car

If you have flown or taken the bus into Rotorua, you may be looking for things to do without a car. Luckily, a lot of things, including accommodation, are central in Rotorua and there are also many options that will allow you to explore!

The Duck Tour

I will get this one out of the way early. I do not put this here because it is what we do, I put this here because if you don’t have transport it is the best way to see the Rotorua Lakes District from both land and water! Many people when they come to Rotorua, especially if they don’t have a car, will not even realise we have a lakes district and in my opinion this is a travesty because this area is so unique and beautiful that if you miss it you have definitely dropped the ball! Not only this but you get an in-depth commentary of Rotorua covering Maori culture, geography, lake formations, geothermal activity, local stories and much more! Our office is in the center of town making our departure point easy to access without a car and we will take care of the rest.

Check out our tour options here.

For added exploration you can combine with one of our combos which you can see here.

The Polynesian Spa

You can do this attraction as a combo with the Duck Tour (see above) or on your own accord. As I said above the lakes district is a must see in Rotorua but a dip in a geothermal spa is a must do! It is something that Rotorua is famous for and the water which is filled with silica is noted to have many amazing properties, great for the skin and overall wellbeing. The Polynesian Spa is located just outside the Government Gardens right in the center of town and is within walking distance of most Rotorua Accommodation.

Check out their website here.

Redwoods Forest and Treewalk

A short walk or bus ride from town you can find the famous Rotorua Redwoods or as its known by the locals – Whakarewarewa. A great Rotorua option if you don’t have a car. This forest has an abundance of walking and running trails, mountain biking trails and longer hiking options. You’ll find something suitable for any and all fitness levels. Located in the Redwoods forest is the Redwoods Treewalk. The forest is beautiful and this amazing attraction allows you to see the forest from a unique perspective as you walk on elevated platforms through the giant Redwoods. For an even more unique perspective try the tree walk at night! They have put huge lanterns through the walk and it’s almost like walking through a fairy tale! Great for the whole family.

Have a look at their website here.

Kuirau Park

I wanted to throw a free option into the mix! People love to do free stuff especially when it is as awesome as Kuirau Park! This park is located on Ranolf Street near the center of town and just up the road from the I-site. If you’re in town you definitely don’t need a car to get here! You can spend some time walking the trails of this park and you will see what makes Rotorua, Rotorua! You will see bubbling mud, steaming lakes and even a spot where you can dip your feet into the geothermal water! There is a playground for the kids and some nice gardens to sit and have lunch. You can easily knock out half a day here and you will get a taste of the real Rotorua and what makes us so famous.

So, do not think you have to have a car to enjoy what Rotorua has to offer. These are just a taste of what you can do without your own form of transport. For more options get in contact with us or check out the Rotorua I-site when you arrive. You can also ask at your accommodation as our hoteliers and motel owners are friendly and passionate about our area.