When to go to Rotorua?

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 | 🌡️ °C | Score /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?
- Te Puia geysers (Pohutu)
- Wai-O-Tapu (Champagne Pool)
- Maori culture (Te Puia, Tamaki Village)
- Redwoods forest (Whakarewarewa)
Practical info
- Country: New Zealand
Destinations near Rotorua
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