When to go to Rotorua?

Rotorua (New Zealand)
Photo: Chefcat29 · CC BY 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

The ground steams here, and you smell it before you see it, sulphur rising from parks, gardens and the odd crack in the pavement. Pohutu erupts several times a day at Te Puia, where Māori carving and weaving schools stand beside the geysers, and the Champagne Pool at Wai-O-Tapu rings its bright orange edge around hot green water. The Redwoods forest offers cooler air and a canopy walkway.

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The best time to go

For the best weather in Rotorua, aim for March.

See also: Where to go in March?

Month-by-month weather in Rotorua

Month☀️ h/day🌧️ mm🌡️ °CScore /100
January 10.3 155 18 64
February 9.3 165 18 58
March 9.7 105 15 65
April 8.0 71 14 61
May 6.9 178 11 48
June 6.2 145 10 46
July 6.0 166 9 45
August 7.2 85 8 56
September 8.1 158 11 52
October 9.2 136 12 58
November 9.9 131 14 61
December 10.0 141 17 63

Estimated from 3 years of data. The score (0–100) combines sunshine, dry weather, clear skies and temperature.

The climate in brief

In Rotorua, the sunniest month is January, and the driest is April (about 71 mm). Temperatures peak in January (about 18°C). Over the year, an average of 1,637 mm of rain falls, and 1 months in 12 offer ideal weather for a trip.

What to do in Rotorua?

Practical info

Destinations near Rotorua

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