A Day in Rotura New Zealand

My time in New Zealand came with two full days of rain and a small-town stay, which meant I didn’t get to play tourist as much as I’d hoped. So when the weather finally cleared, I seized the chance to spend a day exploring Rotorua.

I only had a few hours, so I planned an agenda and left Thames early for the two-hour drive.

My first stop was the Wai-O-Tapu Living Village — a cultural and historical site I’d booked a one-hour tour for. The guide was warm and knowledgeable, and the entire experience felt personal and authentic. Around 18 people still live in the village today. I even got to eat corn that had been cooked in a geothermal pool — simple, fresh, and unbelievably good. It was a wonderful way to glimpse the living history of that part of New Zealand.

Next up: the Polynesian Spa. The pools are fed by natural hot springs, and the atmosphere was laid-back and local — lots of older residents chatting and relaxing in the water. I loved seeing that slice of daily Kiwi life. After soaking, I treated myself to a smoothie and a slice of cake before heading to my final stop.

My last stop of the day was the Redwoods Treewalk. You can wander the forest floor for free, but I opted for the elevated walk — a series of suspension bridges weaving between massive redwoods. The 40-minute circuit was peaceful, immersive, and utterly magical. I couldn’t stop smiling.

My time in Rotorua was short, but it was exactly what I needed. It tapped into that kid-like sense of wonder that travel sometimes reignites — the joy of simply exploring the world with wide eyes.