Rotorua is located on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty. The city has a population of approximately 65,000 people and is situated 60 kilometres south of Tauranga, 100 kilometres south east of Hamilton and 80 kilometres north east of Taupo.

Rotorua is well known for it's Geysers and hot mud pools which owe their presence to the Rotorua Caldera. Nicknamed the sulphur city because of its thermal activity, Rotorua also has 17 lakes which are popular among water sport enthusiasts.