Wondering what to do in Rotorua in spring and summer? The warmer months are an awesome time of year to get outside and explore. Some of the best ideas for what to do in Rotorua in spring and summer are spending time at the lakes, going on an adventure with Rotorua Canopy Tours or River Rats or choosing one of the many amazing walks around the city.

As the days get longer and the weather warms up during this stunning time of year, it’s also easier to pack more activities in to one day. Rotorua is known for having lots to do in the outdoors and this beautiful city has so many amazing activities it can be hard to choose what to do in Rotorua during spring and summer.

To find out more about our favourite spring and summer activities in Rotorua – keep reading!

Rotorua Lakes

With 18 lakes around Rotorua you’re definitely spoilt for choice for some awesome swimming spots. Make the most of the warmer water and choose from water sports like stand up paddle boarding (SUP), swimming, or if being in the water isn’t your thing you can walk around the lakes (The Blue Lake track is our favourite) and admire the stunning views or take a picnic and relax by the water.

Rotorua Canopy Tours

If you’re after an absolutely unforgettable thing to do in Rotorua, Canopy Tours zipline experience might just be the perfect activity for you. While the thrill of the ziplines and swing bridges in this award-winning nature experience is just as exhilarating throughout the year – spring and summer offer a different experience to the cooler months, as all the sights and sounds of the Dansey Road Scenic Reserve begin to change.

The damper winter months are stunning times to be up in the tree canopy, but in spring and summer every day the forest becomes lusher and noisier, full of life and colour as lots of new growth appears. Plenty of birdsong can be heard throughout the forest and the cute Robins, Tomtits and Grey Warblers are nesting to bring their babies into the world.

Finding what to do in Rotorua in spring and summer isn’t hard when you have activity like this, where you can enjoy the breath-taking forest views in some sunshine, or shelter from the spring showers under the cover of the forest canopy.

River Rats Rafting

You won’t mind getting wet during the warmer months and if you’re after something a bit more daring – rafting down the grade 5 Kaituna River is the perfect Rotorua activity. River Rats gives you the opportunity to experience the adrenaline rush of rafting down the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall, Tutea falls – so much fun!

Rotorua walks

There are so many walks you can do around Rotorua, it’s a walkers and hikers paradise! Choose from tracks which include geothermal wonders, lake views, forest scenery – or a bit of everything.

Shorter walks are perfect for hotter days. Hamurana Springs is an easy 30-minute loop track just a short drive from the city or if you’re wanting something a bit more central, Kuirau park is in the heart of the city and is a geothermal wonder, offering bubbling mud pools and boiling lakes.

Be sure to pack your sunscreen when walking during the summer – or choose a walk more sheltered from the sun like the tracks in the Whakrewerea red woods.

Spring and summer are the busiest times of the year to come to Rotorua so make sure you book as many of your activities and your accommodation as early as you can.

Now that you’ve got the info of what to do in Rotorua in spring and summer, we hope you can make the most of your time in this one-of-a-kind place!

You can find more on what to do in Rotorua and all the awesome Rotorua activities on offer all year round here.