Things to do in Cooks Beach

Cathedral Cove Viewing Deck

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in North Island

Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ

Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ is located in the geothermal valley of Rotorua, New Zealand, and is an attraction that combines Maori cultural displays with geothermal views. The park is home to the famous Pōhutu Geyser, which can erupt more than ten times a day, with water columns shooting up dozens of meters into the air, creating a spectacular sight. In the valley, mud pools bubble and hot springs gurgle, steam fills the entire area, and the air carries a sulfurous smell, making it feel as if you are walking among clouds and mist. Cultural displays are another major feature here. The New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute is located here, and visitors can observe up close the full process of apprentices studying traditional skills in woodcarving, weaving, and stone and bone carving in the workshops. The Maori meeting house in the village features an intricately carved assembly hall, with the facade and interior walls covered in elaborate traditional wood carvings, each carrying tribal stories and genealogies. The park also recreates an early Maori traditional building complex, including low dwellings built from reeds and palm and elevated storehouses on stilts, showing the appearance of traditional Maori living spaces. In addition, there is a kiwi conservation center here, where visitors can observe this bird unique to New Zealand up close. In terms of cultural experiences, Maori song and dance performances are staged daily in the village, including a traditional welcome ceremony, the haka war dance, songs, and the poi ball dance, with performances held in the carved meeting house, creating a solemn and impressive atmosphere. When visiting, it is recommended to follow the guide to gain a deeper understanding of the Maori legends and history behind the various views in the geothermal valley.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium is an aquarium converted from an abandoned underground sewage storage tank, completed by the New Zealand marine archaeologist Mr. Kelly Tarlton over approx. 10 months. SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium features 8 major exhibition themes, each with its own distinctive features. In the captivating winter wonderland, you can walk through the exhibition area into a viewing area at minus two degrees, to watch king penguins and gentoo penguins walking on artificial snow or diving underwater. You can also, inside the transparent acrylic view tunnel of SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium, feel the thrill of great sharks and devil rays swimming past you, and witness how the mighty large lobsters live in harmony with their neighbors. If you want to observe up close, you can put yourself in a cage and enter the shark viewing pool. △ Observe giant sharks up close △ Learn more about marine life in the Southern Hemisphere △ Watch the adorable feeding process of the king penguin and gentoo penguin flocks

Purangi Regional Reserve

2026 Global 50 - Hot Springs Attractions

Polynesian Spa

Polynesian spa is located on the shores of lake Rotorua, offering a secluded paradise for relaxation. For generations, visitors from around the world have come to experience the natural geothermal hot springs. The thermal waters originate from two unique springs: the acidic priest spring and the alkaline mineral-rich rachel spring. The hot spring center features 28 mineral pools across four zones, each offering a unique experience. Guests can unwind at the deluxe lake spa, a tranquil oasis with captivating lake views ideal for adults and families. The historic adults-only pavilion pools provide serene soaking options at varying temperatures, while the family pools include a freshwater swimming area with water slides alongside two alkaline mineral hot spring pools for parents. Those seeking privacy can book a private lakeside pool overlooking Lake Rotorua or opt for the sky view private pool with its open-ceiling design, offering enhanced seclusion and peaceful ambiance. Beyond bathing, wellness experiences add endless joy to your journey. Retreat Day Spa offers therapeutic services like Aix spa treatments, geothermal mud wraps and revitalizing facials. Guests can also join yoga, meditation and sound healing sessions in the wellness room - a versatile space available for private bookings, group retreats and special events. After bathing, guests can enjoy fresh, healthy meals and delicious Italian gelato at 88Ra café. The Spa Essentials gift shop offers carefully curated premium spa products, high-quality swimwear, plush towels and wellness items, allowing guests to recreate the blissful experience at home. The Polynesian Spa is conveniently located in the heart of Rotorua with easy transportation access. It offers ample free parking, and the campervan parking area is just across the street. The Polynesian Spa boasts a rich geothermal heritage, diverse wellness services and breathtaking natural scenery, making it a global sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. Learn more now and plan your itinerary.

No. 2 of Spring Outings in New Zealand

Redwoods – Whakarewarewa Forest

Redwoods – Whakarewarewa Forest is adjacent to the urban area of Rotorua and is one of the early forest areas in New Zealand for exotic tree species introduction trials. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, over 170 tree species were experimentally planted here to determine which could adapt to New Zealand, particularly Rotorua's volcanic soil. Today, only a handful of these species remain, with the California coast redwoods planted in 1901 becoming the experiment's surprise success — they grow faster here than in their native California. Over a century later, they now tower skyward, forming a magnificent forest. The redwood memorial grove is the essence of the entire forest: the trail is covered with soft redwood bark chips, making each step springy; giant trees stand closely on both sides, their tops barely visible even when looking up. Among them, one particularly massive tree stands approx. 70 m tall with a trunk diameter exceeding 1.5 m, requiring several people to encircle it with outstretched arms. Native New Zealand ferns thrive beneath the trees, creating a striking scene where towering redwoods and sprawling fern fronds share the frame—a highly recognizable sight in Rotorua. The memorial grove loop takes less than 1 hr to complete, with boardwalks on some sections, making it suitable for all ages. Those with good stamina can extend their hike to the outer forest trails. This forest is also a popular destination for walking, running, and mountain cycling, with its crisscrossing trails clearly graded by difficulty. It holds considerable fame in the cycling community, attracting many who come specifically to ride the trails. Just a few minutes' drive from the city, the slanting morning or evening light filtering through the trees creates beautiful shadows and fern patterns, making these the most comfortable times for a stroll.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Auckland

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Auckland Museum is regarded as one of the finest Museums in the Southern Hemisphere and is renowned for its unique collection of Māori and Pacific treasures. It is also a war memorial for the Auckland province. Housed in one of the country's finest heritage buildings, the Museum tells the story of New Zealand as a nation; from award-winning natural history exhibits to galleries which investigate New Zealand's cultural origins. Scars on the Heart, the Museum's war memorial gallery, tells the story of New Zealand at war, while He Taonga Māori - the Museum's Māori treasures gallery, displays over 2,000 priceless Māori artefacts, including rare carvings and the last great Māori war canoe carved from a giant Totara tree. The Museum is home to an ever-evolving host of galleries and special exhibitions, including Tāmaki Herenga Waka, a contemporary gallery dedicated to the stories of Auckland and the people who call it home. The Imaginarium is the new children's gallery where learning is curiosity lead, and awe-inspiring.

No. 9 of Best Things to Do in North Island

Agrodome

The Agrodome Farm in Rotorua, North Island, is New Zealand's largest, state-of-the-art tourist farm with an area of about 150 hectares. Here you can meet red deer, turkeys, ostriches, alpacas, cows, lambs and many other animals you have never seen before. The farm has performances such as shearing and milking every day, which are very exciting and fun. The iconic sheep shearing bronze statue and the ancient carriage frame are displayed at the entrance of the farm. The Agrodun Farm covers a large area. To visit the pastoral area, you need to take a sightseeing tractor and set off on the tractor. You will see groups of people along the way. Cows and sheep grazing leisurely by the roadside. The tractor will stop in an open meadow, and nearby sheep will come running to surround you. In the alpaca area, the tall alpaca has a very docile temperament, and you can interact and take photos with them. In addition to getting up close and personal with various animals, you can visit the farm orchard, see the kiwi fruit trees, and taste the unique taste of kiwi honey. After the farm tour, go to watch the farm show. There are demonstrations of sheep shearing, sheep auctions, shepherd dog performances, etc. The host will also invite tourists to come on stage to milk the cows and compete for feeding lambs and drinking goat milk, which is very interesting. Visitors to the farm show can also visit the animal pup nursery. Before leaving, check out the WoollenMill, ShearingShedMuseum and DogandWhistle souvenir shops.

Mercury Bay Holiday Park

2026 Global 50 - Hot Springs Attractions

Hells Gate

The "Devil's Hot Spring" inside Hells Gate is a hot water pool where the spring water keeps bubbling, while the large hot spring waterfall in the southern hemisphere pours down mightily, leaving people dumbfounded! Hells Gate means "my little daughter was taken away by the water" in Maori, originating from a tragic legend—a Maori woman named Hurutini threw herself into the scalding geothermal pool because she could no longer bear her husband's abuse; its English name was given by George Bernard Shaw, who visited this place in 1934. This impressive geothermal resource reserve covers a large area, with walking trails leading to various attractions. Here, geothermal steam eruptions can be seen everywhere, and the rock surfaces have turned yellow due to the influence of sulfur. The surroundings are barren, truly like a purgatory on earth. Do not casually throw stones into the mud or hot spring pools to avoid various accidents. It is said that if you do bad things to the various natural views of Hells Gate, you will be punished, and the degree and duration of the punishment vary depending on the severity of what you did. Therefore, please be sure to hold reverence within Hells Gate!