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    Government Gardens

    New Zealand

    Government Gardens

    CityCulture

    The Government Gardens are Rotorua's largest city park, located directly on the shore of Lake Rotorua. Its centerpiece is the half-timbered building of the old Bath House, which houses the Rotorua Museum.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. New Zealand
    7. Rotorua
    9. Government Gardens
    The Government Gardens are Rotorua's largest city park, located directly on the shore of Lake Rotorua. Its centerpiece is the half-timbered building of the old Bath House, which houses the Rotorua Museum. Surrounding it, you'll find lawns, rose gardens, bowling and croquet greens, and steaming earth in several spots.The Ngāti Whakaue provided the land in the 19th century for the establishment of a health resort. Right next door are the Polynesian Spa and the lakeside path to Sulphur Point.

    Sights in Government Gardens

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Te Runanga Tea House
    Museum

    1Te Runanga Tea House

    Historic Teahouse at the entrance to Government Gardens on Queens Drive.
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    Rotorua Museum / Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa
    Museum

    2Rotorua Museum / Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa

    The Museum in the former Bath House is the landmark of the Government Gardens. Due to earthquake damage in late 2016, it is closed for restoration, with reopening planned for 2027/2028. You can view the building from outside and from the gardens at any time.
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    Sulphur Point
    Attraction

    3Sulphur Point

    Peninsula on the lakeshore behind Government Gardens, with wooden boardwalks over steaming, sulphurous ground and views of Lake Rotorua.
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    City walks in Government Gardens

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    A Historical & Cultural Walk Through Rotorua's Government Gardens

    On this two-hour walk, discover the rich history, impressive architecture and vibrant Māori culture of the Government Gardens in Rotorua. From colonial baths to sacred lakeside gathering places, immerse yourself in a world of steam, legends and beauty.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (7)

    Essen & Trinken

    From Spa Town to City Park

    The grounds of the Government Gardens belonged to the Ngāti Whakaue, an iwi of Te Arawa. In the 19th century, they made the land available to the Crown for a spa resort for visitors worldwide.The Tudor-style Bath House, today the Rotorua Museum / Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa, commemorates this era, as do the Blue Baths in the park. After its reopening, the museum will showcase the art and history of the region, including the history of Te Arawa.

    Exploring locally

    Explore the Gardens on foot. It's just a few minutes from the centre on Tutanekai Street, and the lakefront and Polynesian Spa are also within walking distance. For Te Puia, the Redwood Forest, or trips further afield, take a bike, taxi, or car.

    Accommodations in Government Gardens

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    Plan your trip to Government Gardens

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      Trip to Government Gardens

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      • 1Te Runanga Tea House3 days
      • 2Rotorua Museum / Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa4 days
      • 3Sulphur Point5 days
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      Government Gardens
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    Nearby

    Central North Island

    Central North Island

    The Central North Island is New Zealand's volcanic country. Between Rotorua, Lake Taupō, and Tongariro National Park, the ground steams, mud pools bubble, and geysers erupt into the air. Also in the west are the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.Here you'll find hiking trails over volcanic craters, thermal baths, lakes for fishing and paddling, as well as places where Māori culture, especially that of the Te Arawa in Rotorua, is visible in everyday life.
    Rotorua

    Rotorua

    Rotorua smells of sulfur, and that's part of the experience: The city on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua lies in the middle of a geothermal area. Between pavements and front gardens, steam rises from the ground; in Te Puia, the Pōhutu Geyser erupts; and in Kuirau Park, mud pools bubble without an entrance fee.Rotorua is also the center of the Te Arawa and one of the best places in New Zealand to experience Māori culture, whether in the living village of Whakarewarewa, in lakeside Ohinemutu, or at a cultural evening with Hāngī.
    Ohinemutu Māori Dorf

    Ohinemutu Māori Dorf

    Ohinemutu is an inhabited Māori village on the northern edge of Rotorua's city centre, directly on the lakeshore. Families of the Ngāti Whakaue live here, and steam rises from the ground between the houses.Highlights include the carved meeting house Tamatekapua and the Anglican St. Faith's Church, whose interior is adorned with Māori carvings and woven artworks. Please remember you are visiting a residential community here.
    Whakarewarewa (Redwood Forest Area)

    Whakarewarewa (Redwood Forest Area)

    South of Rotorua, two very different worlds lie directly next to each other: the steaming geothermal valley of Whakarewarewa with Te Puia and the inhabited Māori village, and the Whakarewarewa Forest with its tall Californian coastal redwoods.In the forest, you can hike short and long trails, go mountain biking, or cross the suspension bridges of the Redwoods Treewalk. Early morning is the quietest time here.
    Bay of Plenty

    Bay of Plenty

    The Bay of Plenty stretches along the North Island's northern coast from the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula to Cape Runaway. Long sandy beaches, the port city of Tauranga, and the volcanic cone Mauao in Mount Maunganui characterize its western part; inland, mainly kiwifruit and avocados are grown. Off the coast near Whakatāne lies the active volcanic island Whakaari (White Island); tours have not taken place there since the December 2019 eruption.When engaging in activities in volcanic and geothermal areas, as well as when swimming in the sea, always adhere to local warnings and restrictions. General information can be found in the travel and safety advisories of the Auswärtiges Amt, linked on the New Zealand page.

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