Do you have private parking?
We do not have our own car parking facilities. Its free to park by the Polynesian Spa which is 2 minute walk from the hostel.
Are you part of The Wall?
Rock solid Backpackers and The Wall are not owned by the same business. However, the Wall does offer a generous discount of $12.50 if you are staying at our wonderful hostel. The price includes the harness/equipment, shoes, chalk and the plus is that you can climb long as you want to. Just make sure you have someone to help and belay you unless you are happy to do bouldering. And if you’re afraid of heights, don’t worry you can enjoy a magnificent view of the wall from our hostel window
Where can we go and eat?
In the city centre there are so many kinds of restaurants to choose from to suit everyone’s taste buds and dietary needs. Head to ‘Eatstreet’ where they are filled with terrific different restaurants which ranges from Asian cuisine, burgers to course meals. Don’t forget to get suggestions and vouchers from our front desk staff to help to make your choice easier. If you are on a budget, don’t worry there are also cheap and tasty places to dine at. Don’t forget to check out the happy hours.
Try Ali baba a Turkish restaurant, if you keen to try a Hangi (traditional meal) try Kiwi Kai. Search up the website → https://www.rotoruanz.com/visit/dining-retail/eat- drink/restaurants to help make you decision! And if you are heading to Rotorua on a Tuesday make sure you try going to Abracadabra since its taco Tuesday all day! Only $6 and on Wednesday it’s dessert night!
Where is the nearest supermarket?
The nearest supermarket is Park n’ save and countdown (they are beside each other). They are located on Fenton street just a 5 minute walk.
Are there any free hot pools or geothermal parks in walking distance from the hostel?
Just a short 10-15- minute walk from the hostel is Kuirau Park which is New Zealand’s only geothermal public park which features beautiful gardens, a crater lake, mud pools, hot springs, free thermal foot baths, BBQs and picnic tables, children's playground and a food market held every Saturday from 6am to 1pm.
Although there are no hot pools which you can swim in here, the walk around Kuirau Park is beautiful! You can also see some amazing geothermal activity if you head towards the Polynesian Spa and follow the walking track signs (behind the government gardens) the walk is roughly 30 minutes and finishes out at the lake front.
The closes free hot pools where you can swim would be Kerosene Creak which is roughly a 25-minute drive away so only accessible by car.
If you are looking to relax in a spa or hot pool there are plenty located in and around Rotorua if you don’t mind paying, our friendly hosts at our reception are always happy to assist when looking for a place to visit!
Can you book activities directly through the hostel?
Definitely! Rotorua has so many fantastic attractions and activities which can be book straight through us! Our hosts are always more than happy to help assist guests when looking for activities here in Rotorua and they have broad knowledge about these different activities, so we will be sure to give you as much information as we can about anything you are interested in doing.
We also have some great discounts which we can provide on a wide range of the activities so be sure to speak to us first before booking anything!
What are the best things to do/see while staying in Rotorua?
Maori culture experience
Geothermal parks
Sulphur Spas
Adrenaline activities
Night Market (every Thursday from 5pm onwards)
Ohinemutu village (living maori village)
Walk around Sulphur point
Redwoods forest walks
Can I use the hostel facilities after checking out at 10am?
Our guests are more than welcome to stay in our reception lounge after checking out. All the reception facilities will be available to use: TV (X-box & DVDs), pool table, table tennis, WIFI.
There is also a restroom available for our guests to use, free luggage & bike storage room and a fridge located in the storage room for any food you need to keep cool. (Please note if you do wish to use the luggage storage you will need to provide your own padlock if you wish to lock your belonging away in our wardrobes).
Guests are not permitted to return upstairs to use the kitchen or shower facilities once they have checked out. If any guests do want food heating up or water bottles filled, our hosts at reception can help you with that.
Is it possible to check in after 10pm and check out later than 10am?
Our reception opening times are between 8am-10pm, if you have a booking with us and are unable to arrive before 10pm it may be possible to arrange a late check in with our on-site manager depending on the time of your arrival. Always contact us in advance in this situation and we will do our best to get you checked in.
Our check out time is 10am. We do not offer late check outs as our housekeeping team work from 10am-2pm daily.
I don’t have a car; what is the best way to travel around Rotorua?
The hostel is in Rotorua city centre which means we are within a short walking distance from supermarkets, shops, café & restaurants, library, i-site, lake front etc. If you wish to travel outside of the city centre then check out our local buses - https://www.baybus.co.nz/
If you have booked onto an activity and require transport, most companies offer free shuttle pick up to get you there and back, ask our host when booking your activity if you do need transport and we can arrange that for you.
Can I use Union Pay at your hostel?
Yes you most definitely can use Union Pay as payment at our Hostel. Check also our Chinese Page on our website.
