Christmas Day activities in Rotorua

For many Rotorua residents, Christmas Day isn't just about the presents and the food. More Rotorua residents are looking for something different to do and will be flocking to the various attractions which are open in the city.

Destination Rotorua Marketing acting general manager Tania Bui said the city was usually full with tourists over Christmas, but in addition to that more local residents would be heading to the attractions which would be open.

Ms Bui said the weather forecast for Christmas Day could be a big factor in what activities people took part in.

"It is looking like there is a chance it will be fine and for a lot of people Christmas is very much a family day and they want to go out and do something different."

She said it was great that some of the city's attractions remained open on Christmas Day.

"A lot of locals might want to do something different," she said.

"Also instead of staying home a lot of residents do go out for their Christmas lunch or dinner. A lot of our accommodation providers do really nice spreads."

Ms Bui said it had been a tough six months for the tourism sector because domestic tourist numbers had been down.

"It is looking like Christmas Day and Boxing Day could be a boost for our attractions."

Agrodome customer services manager Dale McCourt said Christmas Day was business as usual for the attraction, which opens every Christmas.

"We are still fully operational," she said. "We're open all year round and get a lot of Chinese tour groups on Christmas Day - they don't recognise Christmas so it's an ordinary day for them."

She said the staff working on Christmas Day get into the festive spirit and wear Santa hats.

Polynesian Spa managing director Martin Lobb said Christmas Day was always busy.

"There are always a lot of people in Rotorua and Christmas Day is normally a really busy day and we don't expect this year to be any different."

He said a lot of tourists who visited the Polynesian Spa on Christmas Day were glad the attraction was open.

"People don't just want to sit in their hotels and motels. They want to get out and do something," he said. "We do have Christmas decorations up so the place does also look a bit festive."

Most businesses spoken to by The Daily Post which were not open on the 25th said they would open again from Boxing Day.

What's open on Christmas Day

• 
  Agrodome on Western Rd is open from 8.30am to 5pm
• 
  Skyline Rotorua on Fairy Springs Rd is open from 9.30am to 5pm
• 
  Paradise Valley Springs on Paradise Valley Rd is open from 8am to 5pm
• 
  Te Puia on Hemo Gorge Rd is open from 8am to 6pm
• 
  Waimangu Volcanic Valley on Waimangu Rd is open from 8.30am to 5pm
• 
  Rainbow Springs and Kiwi Encounter on Fairy Springs Rd is open from 8am to 5.30pm

Free Christmas Day activities

• 
  Work off Christmas lunch or dinner by taking a walk in the Redwoods
• 
  Take the family and a picnic to Hamurana Springs
• 
  Go for a drive to Lake Tarawera or Tikitapu (Blue Lake), go for a swim, walk or kayak
• 
  Have a family game of touch rugby at Government Gardens or the Village Green
• 
  Take a walk in Kuirau Park and play in the park
• 
  For kids, young and old, make a slip and slide in your back garden