The Best of Rotorua: Where to Eat, Drink, and Explore

Housed in Cambridge's beautifully restored solid-brick post office, Alpino serves modern Italian fare that easily rivals Auckland’s best. Order the hand-stretched woodfired pizzas or a plate of fresh pasta, paired with a crisp glass of Central Otago Pinot Gris.

Located at the vibrant Eat Streat precinct, Atticus Finch offers sophisticated, share-style dining without any unnecessary fuss. Sip a ginger and lime-infused cocktail alongside plates of sesame-crusted pork belly or pan-fried dumplings.

Affectionately known as the 'Town of Trees,' Cambridge has a leafy, distinctively English charm without the stuffiness. Spend an hour browsing the exceptional antique shops, independent bookshops, and homeware boutiques along Victoria Street.

Tucked into the spectacular, award-winning Scion timber building, Eastwood is where locals fuel up. Order the wood-fired eggs and a flat white, and take in the clever wooden architecture that mirrors the surrounding forest.

A local institution that doubles as an eco-conscious deli and craft beer garden. Grab a gourmet venison pie, sit under the trees, and take a quick five-minute stroll down to the rushing Kaituna River to watch kayakers tackle the falls.

On the drive back to Rotorua, make a final stop at this eco-conscious local institution tucked into the forest. Grab a flat white or a pint of local craft beer to enjoy in their beer garden, then take the short path down to watch rafters tackle the world's highest commercially rafted waterfall.

Begin with a gentle walk along the Te Waihou River to see water so intensely blue and pure it looks photoshopped. It supplies about 60 percent of New Zealand’s bottled water, but seeing it flow past vibrant green river weed is the real reward.

Skip the crowded visitor centers and head straight onto the Redwood Memorial Grove track. Walking beneath these silent, 75-meter-tall Californian giants is a grounding experience that makes you feel wonderfully small.

This is Rotorua's newest architectural marvel on the lakefront, delivering a luxury spa experience built on Ngāti Whakaue healing traditions. Alternate between the mineral-rich geothermal pools, cold plunges, and the steam room to completely reset.