Bay of PlentyWildlife

Rainbow Springs Nature Park

Crystal-clear natural springs form the backdrop for New Zealand native wildlife, including the National Kiwi Hatchery's conservation work raising chicks for release into the wild.

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Rainbow Springs Nature Park

Quick Facts

Region
Bay of Plenty, North Island
Best time
Year-round
Entry fee
From NZD $39 (adult)
Duration
1.5–2 hours

Overview

Rainbow Springs is built around naturally occurring spring-fed pools so clear that resident trout are visible from footbridges above. Native bush trails wind between enclosures for kiwi, tuatara, weta and native birds, all set up to mimic their natural habitats as closely as possible.

The park's National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa has incubated and raised hundreds of kiwi chicks as part of national efforts to boost wild kiwi numbers, and visitors can see chicks at various stages of development in a specially lit nocturnal house.

Things To Do

  • Kiwi Encounter — a guided tour through the National Kiwi Hatchery's incubation and rearing facilities.
  • Nocturnal kiwi house — see adult kiwi active in a dimly lit enclosure that mimics night-time.
  • Tuatara enclosure — New Zealand's living dinosaur, largely unchanged for millions of years.
  • Spring-fed trout pools — footbridges over naturally clear spring water full of resident trout.
  • Glow worm dell — a small glow worm display, best seen at dusk or after dark.
Tip: The Kiwi Encounter guided tour runs at set times and is worth booking ahead — and give your eyes a minute to adjust when entering the darkened kiwi house, since kiwi are most active when it seems darkest.

Getting There

Rainbow Springs is on Fairy Springs Road, about 10 minutes' drive from central Rotorua, right next to Skyline Rotorua. There's parking on site and it's served by local shuttle buses.

AddressFairy Springs Road, Rotorua 3015
Opening Hours8:00am – 6:00pm daily
Entry FeeFrom NZD $39 (adult), Kiwi Encounter tour priced separately
Duration1.5–2 hours
AccessibilityWheelchair and pushchair accessible paths throughout

Nearby Attractions

Skyline Rotorua

Skyline Rotorua

A gondola, luge tracks and ziplines over Lake Rotorua, right next door.

Redwoods Treewalk

Redwoods Treewalk

Suspended walkways through a towering century-old redwood forest, a short drive away.

Lake Rotorua

Lake Rotorua

The city's namesake lake, popular for boat cruises and lakeside walks.

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