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Rotorua: A Guide to Cheap Long-Term Accommodation [2024]

© NZPocketGuide.com

A Guide to Cheap Weekly Accommodation in Rotorua

Stay in one of New Zealand’s most intriguing cities! Rotorua is surrounded by geothermal activity and Maori cultural experiences. Whether you decide to stay awhile for work on your working holiday or just want to hang around that sulfur smell for longer, you’re going to need to find cheap long-term accommodation in Rotorua.

Because Rotorua is split into many districts, we have put together a quick list of the districts where you are likely to find some cheap weekly accommodation, as well as outlining how far away they are from the city centre. This guide to cheap long-term accommodation to Rotorua is also split into accommodation types, so you can find both short-term and long-term stays.

So find a place to stay in Rotorua using our nifty guide to cheap long-term accommodation in Rotorua.

Which Rotorua District to Find Long-Term Accommodation?

There is cheap weekly accommodation found all over Rotorua. Here’s a quick rundown on what to expect in each Rotorua suburb in relation to Rotorua’s city centre. For more information about Rotorua, check out Rotorua – Guide for Backpackers.

Note: CBD refers to Central Business District i.e. Rotorua city centre.

  • Rotorua Central – Location: city centre. Distance from CBD: you’re in it. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$250.
  • Ohinemutu – Location: northwest of CBD. Distance from CBD: 4min drive/17min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$120.
  • Victoria – Location: south of CBD, Distance from CBD: 2min drive/10min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$170.
  • Glenholme – Location: south of CBD. Distance from CBD: 4min drive/20min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$170.
  • Mangakakahi – Location: west of CBD. Distance from CBD: 3min drive/25min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$170.
  • Utuhina – Location: west of CBD. Distance from CBD: 5min drive/30min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$160.
  • Fordlands – Location: west of CBD. Distance from CBD: 6min drive/45min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$160.
  • Hillcrest – Location: southwest of CBD. Distance from CBD: 6min drive/40min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$170.
  • Springfield – Location: south of CBD. Distance from CBD: 7min drive/45min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$150.
  • Tihiotonga – Location: south of CBD. Distance from CBD: 10min drive/1hour walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$170.
  • Fenton Park – Location: south of CBD. Distance from CBD: 6min drive/30min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$170.
  • Ngapuna – Location: east of CBD. Distance from CBD: 9min drive/40min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$160.
  • Matipo Heights – Location: southwest of CBD. Distance from CBD: 10min drive/1hour walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$220.
  • Lynmore – Location: southeast of CBD, Distance from CBD: 10min drive/55min walk, Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$220.
  • Western Heights – Location: northwest of CBD. Distance from CBD: 9min drive/55min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$200.
  • Koutu – Location: northwest of CBD. Distance from CBD: 5min drive/35min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$180.
  • Kawaha Point – Location: north of CBD. Distance from CBD: 8min drive/47min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$180.
  • Owhata – Location: southeast of CBD. Distance from CBD: 11min drive/1h15min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$180.
  • Holdens Bay/Hannahs Bay – Location: northeast of CBD. Distance from CBD: 15min drive/1h40min walk. Average weekly rent for a room: NZ$150.

Note that prices are approximate and are subject to change.

cheap long-term accommodation in Rotorua© NZPocketGuide.com

Hostels in Rotorua

Hostels are a good place to start when looking for cheap long-term accommodation in Rotorua. Not only do they provide an affordable base for rental-hunting but many also offer weekly rates.

There are 10+ hostels in the city of Rotorua, all of which are either within the city centre or in very close walking distance. From naturally heated pools to small quirky hostels, you’re likely to find hostels with a lot of character in Rotorua. For our Rotorua hostel recommendations, check out the 10 Best Backpacker Hostels in Rotorua.

For a dorm bed outside of the city centre, there are backpacker dorms in various holiday parks, such as Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park in Springfield near the Arikikapakapa Reserve.

Because Rotorua is a small city yet a tourist hotspot in New Zealand, make sure you book your night in advance, especially during the peak season (summer).

Expect a night in a Rotorua hostel to be NZ$25-$31 per dorm-room bed. You can always keep the cost of living down along with an extended stay by working for accommodation in a Rotorua hostel. For tips, have a look at How to Find Work for Accommodation in New Zealand.

Note that prices are approximate and are subject to change.

cheap long-term accommodation in Rotorua© pxhere

Renting a Room in Rotorua

Renting a room is common practice in Rotorua to keep the price to a minimum when staying for the long term, usually done if you have landed a job in Rotorua as part of a working holiday.

Expect room prices to be around NZ$170 per week. That’s a room to yourself in a flatshare or houseshare. You may find cheaper, around the NZ$100 per week mark, for a shared room.

For advice on how to find a room to rent in Rotorua, have a look at our 6 Resources to Find a Room to Rent in New Zealand. Renting a room involves a more complicated process than staying in short-term accommodation, so get clued up by reading The Paperwork Process of Renting or Flatting in New Zealand.

pixabay© pixabay

Airbnb in Rotorua

Stay with a local in Rotorua! Airbnb, the online network of people’s spare rooms available for accommodation, is pretty popular in Rotorua. Like hostels, Airbnb stays can provide a cheap room while finding something long term. Alternatively, some Airbnb hosts offer weekly rates for cheap long-term accommodation in Rotorua. You may also want to consider an Airbnb room for a more convenient suburban location and something different from the hostel experience.

Although the average price for a room in Rotorua is NZ$280 per night, it is possible to find accommodation around the NZ$25-$90 price range across the Rotorua suburbs, such as Springfield, Glenholme, Westbrook, Mangakakahi, Kawaha Point and Holdens Bay/Hannahs Bay. Note that prices are approximate and are subject to change.

For more information, check out 10 Awesome Airbnb Rooms in New Zealand for Under $50, Everything You Need to Know About Airbnb in New Zealand and 10 Tips to Make the Most of Airbnb in New Zealand.

cheap long-term accommodation in Rotorua© pexels

Holiday Parks and Campgrounds in Rotorua

There are a variety of freedom camping spots and commercial holiday parks to choose from in Rotorua.

If you have a certified self-contained vehicle, you are welcome to freedom camp along the Lakefront and Hinemoa Street – both within walking distance of the city centre. Areas you are allowed to freedom camp are clearly marked with a self-contained sign. Check out 5 Free Camp Spots in Rotorua for more details.

Holiday Parks with power sites and tent sites can be found around Kuirau Park, the Arikikapakapa Reserve, Ohinemutu and in Holdens Bay/Hannahs Bay.

Expect to pay between NZ$22-$52 per night for a powered site or tent site. Get up to date rates with the following locations: Blue Lake TOP 10 Holiday Park, All Seasons Holiday Park, Rotorua TOP 10 Holiday Park, Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park and Cosy Cottage Thermal Holiday Park. Note that prices are approximate and are subject to change. For more camping options in the surrounding area of Rotorua, take a look at Where to Camp in Rotorua.

For information about camping, check out our guide to Camping in New Zealand and Accommodation Guide to Holiday Parks in New Zealand.

More About Rotorua

That’s it for our guide to cheap long-term accommodation in Rotorua. Here’s everything else you need to know about staying in Rotorua:

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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