Things to do in Rotorua
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31539
Printed Date: 10 August 2025 at 2:12pm
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Topic: Things to do in Rotorua
Posted By: arohanui
Subject: Things to do in Rotorua
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 10:03am
I'm blown away, someone from DH's work has donated our family 2 nights at a hotel in Rotorua and a $100 dinner voucher  So we're thinking of going away early next week for a short family holiday.
What sorta things do you guys recommend we do/see? Things that an energetic little 2 year old would enjoy and that don't cost the earth 
My boy LOVES animals so was thinking Rainbow Springs and that show where they can feed lambs and stuff (the agrodome? is that at the same place as rainbow springs or somewhere else?). TIA ------------- Mama to DS1 (5 years), DS2 (3 years) and... http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 10:45am
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Walk around going "oh , whats that smell ?" ------------- 
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Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 11:05am
| We went to the info centre, got a heap of brochures then sat down and went through them to decide! We were in Taupo for our honeymoon, and most days drove to Rotorua. We went to the Agrodome (they do sheep dog shows as well), Rainbow Springs, played mini golf, went to the Caterpillar place (diggers and boy stuff), went up the gondola (didn't go on the luge because I was pregnant) and also went to a 4WD place. You don't notice the smell much after a little while!! |
Posted By: arohanui
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 11:12am
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Ooo the caterpillar place sounds cool! And I just looked on the luge website and found that toddlers are $2 to ride with an adult.... that would be a fun boys thing to do.
The smell is good for the sinuses! ------------- Mama to DS1 (5 years), DS2 (3 years) and... http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 11:20am
I think the smell is good entertainment for little boys. Nigel Latta says farts are an intergril part of all boys lives  Um, yeah I second what everyone has said. Rainbow Springs will be a great place for you little man and probably the Caterpilar place as well! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Bexee
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 11:31am
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There's the volcanic playground at the lakefront which is really cool for kids... and you can feed ducks/swans etc at the same place.
The redwoods are quite cool for a walk, there are some short walks that are like 20 minutes in there. You could go "exploring" the forest if that's the sort of thing your wee one is in to. Not really sure what toddlers are into, but Kuirau Park has all the boiling mud etc for free and has a playground although I'm not sure what it's like. But could be fun? And unless you are really into geothermal, I'd just head there to check out mud. Rainbow springs you can feed fish in the stream etc. |
Posted By: Zaylah
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 12:19pm
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Most of what I thought of has been said already. The hot pools would be fun, not sure of any in particular but they have a heap of them there.
As well as Rainbow Springs, there is also another place. Think it is called Paradise Valley Springs. I've been to both (many many years ago) and Rainbow Springs was better, apart from that they had baby lions you could hold and pat at Paradise Valley springs which was AWESOME! Might be worth looking into if they have some little lions there at this time of the year if that interests you. What lovely people to donate the trip for your family though! I hope you all have a lovely time. Will be great to spend some quality time with Harry before you're next little boy arrives. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Glow
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 2:39pm
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How cool, what lovely workmates
Polynesian Spa is good, my boys loved the slide in the family pool We prefered Paradise valley to Rainbow springs as it has a wider variety of animals, Rainbow springs mainly has trout & birds. We have a kiwihouse here so the kiwis werent as appealing as the lions. Caterpillar experience, was OK they had a neat little quarry & dump trucks the boys liked & they could climb onto 1 of the catterpillars There is also a miniture train in Ngongotaha you can ride Definately check out the local http://www.rotoruanz.com/ - i SITE The are very knowledgable about their area 
Have a fab holiday ------------- Mummy of Two Boys B: 2004 K: 2007 |
Posted By: BugTeeny
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 3:46pm
My house is about 45 minutes away  ------------- 
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Posted By: rachndean
Date Posted: 10 February 2010 at 3:48pm
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Paradise Valley is awesome!! We took DD when she was 2, she got to cuddle a lion cub. Its now one of her earliest childhood memories ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
DD Savannah 18.01.04 DS Austin 04.09.08 |