One-Day Trip to Rotorua from Hamilton (Round Trip)

First Stop: Tihiotonga Centennial Park 🍂 The park was kinda colorful and golden, but we arrived a bit late last week. It would’ve been even more stunning if we’d gone earlier! Second Stop: Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest 🌲✨ Super relaxing and peaceful! The trails were lined with these cute little colored stones—so unique! There are different hiking routes to choose from—just follow the colored markers. Lunch Break �🍜 Grabbed some Chinese food in the downtown walking street. Perfect after a busy morning! Third Stop: Lake Rotorua 🏞️ Easy parking, and the lakeside was so serene. We treated ourselves to some fish & chips—always a vibe! Fourth Stop: Hamurana Springs (Cold Water Spring) 💧 📍 773 Hamurana Road (about 20 mins from downtown, on the other side of the lake). This was a last-minute addition, but the scenery was gorgeous! The turquoise spring water and towering redwoods were super photogenic. It’s a small area, so an hour is enough to explore. Entry fee: $18—felt a tad pricey for the short visit, but if you can snag a discount, it’s worth it! Since we’d only had our car for less than a month, we didn’t want to drive after dark, so we headed back before sunset. The road was easy—great for new drivers doing a day trip! 🚗💨 #Rotorua #Hamilton #NZAutumnVibes #Hiking