ROTORUA LAKES - Rotorua
Rotorua has a multitude of lakes in its surrounding region, all of which are popular with boaties and swimmers.
All of the lakes are ringed by farmland and forest, yet most are easily accessible to visitors. Here you'll find lakes that are cool, clear, some shallow and some heated by geothermal activity.
Steeped in Maori history and legends, the locals have an abundance of stories relating to them, if your lucky you may hear a few.
There are eleven major lakes in total around Rotorua, below are a list of a few;
Lake Rotorua, The Blue Lake (Tikitapu), Lake Tarawera, Lake Okataina, Lake Rerewhakaaitu & Lake Rotoiti.

Please use the maps link above to go to maps of all of the lakes locations and further information about each lake.
Photo Courtesy of Kiwi Steve
TARAWERA FALLS - Kawerau
The Tarawera Falls are a 35 m high waterfall on the Tarawera River. The Tarawera River flows from Lake Tarawera and across the lava flow that erupted from Mt Tarawera 11,000 years ago. The falls are formed from the river disappearing into flooded caves in the lava from which it comes out halfway up the cliff on the far side of the flow. After rain, a second fall is created over the top of the cliff at a height of 65m, so best to view after a down pour on a clear sunny day.
How to get there: Get to the town of Kawerau and go to the visitor information centre, You'll need a forestry access permit which you can get from there and they'll give you directions. Its about a 45 minute drive over unsealed roads, then you'll have to walk about 20 minutes.
Location: Minden Rd, Te Puna
Price: free
Hours: 24
Web: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/bay-of-plenty/rotorua-lakes/tarawera-falls-track/
OHINEMUTU VILLAGE - Rotorua

Ohinemutu village is a charming ramshackle lakeside Maori village that expresses the fusing of European and Maori cultures. Here you'll find the historic St Faith’s Anglican Church & Tama-te-kapua Meeting House.
Location: To the left of government gardens facing Lake Rotorua.
Price: free, some buildings are inaccessible, others require donation.
Hours: 9am - 5pm
Web: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/volcanic-plateau-places/page-5
TAMATEKAPUA MEETING HOUSE - Rotorua

The meeting house was named after the captain of the Te Arawa canoe, one of the canoes used in the migration to Aoteoroa.
Built in 1878, the intent was to ratify the peace between the Te Arawa and Waikato tribes. Some of the timber used in the original construction was obtained by cutting up the canoe named Hamama.
The house was demolished in 1939, then rebuilt and opened again in 1943. 
Location: Ohinemutu Village, ​north of Rotorua Hospital.
Price: Admission not allowed to visitors, but can be viewed from outside
Hours: 24
Web: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/4185/tamatekapua-meeting-house-ohinemutu-1905
​OKERE FALLS - Okere Falls

The Okere Falls are northeast of Rotorua, about 21km's on SH33. Here you'll find an easy track (30 minutes return) which goes past the falls (popular for rafting), which are 7 metres in height. The track goes through native podocarp forest and shoulders the Kaituna River.
There is also a lookout over the river from the Hinemoa’s Steps from which you can get a panoramic view. The Okere River is considered to be one of the world's most commercially rafted waters in the world.

Location: Take state highway 33 out of Rotorua, just past the Okere Falls store. 
Price: Free.​
ST FAITHS ANGLICAN CHURCH - Rotorua
Based in Ohinemutu, the St Faith’s Anglican Church is intricately decorated with Tukutuku (Woven panels), Maori carvings, stained glass windows and painted scrollwork. Here you'll enjoy some heritage of the christian missionary influence on the Maori culture, an example of this is one window featuring an etched image of Christ wearing a Maori cloak walking on the waters of Lake Rotorua.

Location: Ohinemutu Village, ​via Kiharoa, Haukotuku or Korokai Sts off Lake St, north of Rotorua Hospital.
Price: Admission by donation.​
Hours: 9am - 5pm
Web: http://www.nzmaoritourism.com/index.php/component/jomdirectory/detailed/63/
Rotorua Sights
Rotorua, Kawerau.