Rotorua

Where to stay

Most hostels cluster along Fenton Street, which runs south from the city center toward the Whakarewarewa geothermal area. That puts you within walking distance of Tutanekai Street's cafes and bars and close enough to Lake Rotorua for an easy evening walk.

Getting around

• Kuirau Park, a free city-owned geothermal reserve a few blocks northwest of the center, has bubbling mud pools and hot spring terraces. Go here before spending money on the ticketed attractions, it covers most of the same ground.
• There is a Pak'nSave on the eastern side of town that is significantly cheaper than the cafes and delis on Tutanekai Street. Stock up on basics before day trips to the Redwoods or the lake.
• The sulfur smell is strongest near the lakefront and Government Gardens. It fades indoors quickly and most visitors stop noticing it within a day, so a cheaper room near the water is usually worth it despite the early reviews warning you off.

When to go

January and February are the most expensive months, when NZ summer and school holidays overlap. Prices ease noticeably from May through August, though the geothermal sites and Whakarewarewa Forest stay open year-round.