Lake Rotoiti (“the small lake”) is actually a relatively large lake lying to the east of Rotorua, and is connected to Lake Rotorua by the Ōhau Channel.
It’s a popular spot for boaties and has the accessible-by-boat only Manupiria Hot Springs on its shores.
At the far end of Rotoiti, on the Rotorua-Whakatāne SH30 highway is Hinehopu (Hongi's) track, a 2.2km, 1.5 hours one way, track. The track is a pleasant walk through native forest with important historic and cultural value. Along the way, you can take a short loop walk to the sacred mataī, or carry on to Lake Rotoehu. There is a beautiful beach at Korokitewao Bay for swimming and picnicking.
While Lake Rotoiti has roads to the west and south, it is the township to the south that is referred to as Rotoiti. Ruato Bay is extremely popular with anglers wishing to fly cast from the shore for trophy trout who make their way to the stream mouth at the tail-end of the season, while Gisborne Point offers excellent access to boats.
Rotoiti also boasts a successful rugby team, Rotoiti Sports which play at Emery Park in the Baywide Premier Competition.
