Rotorua
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Rotorua, situated on an area of intense geothermal activity, has become a major tourist centre. The region is centrally located being 3 hours from Auckland, 1 hour from Hamilton, and around 5 to 6 hours drive to Wellington. Rotorua Airport is a very busy hub within the New Zealand domestic network.
The area in and around the city of Rotorua is alive with many geothermal features, including geysers, boiling mud pools, and steaming craters (not to forget the all pervading smell of sulphur !). The region now plays host to between 2 and 3 million visitors every year.
It is a real wonderland and a must for any visitor to New Zealand. The main areas to visit are: Whakarewarewa (or Whaka for short), Tikitere (aka Hell’s Gate), Waimangu, and Waiotapu.
Whakarewarewa is just 3 kilometres from Rotorua and is the most visited of the four with geysers, hot pools, mud pools, hot springs. There is also an excellent Maori arts and crafts centre. Titikere (Hell’s Gate) has hot pools, steam, boiling mud, and in Kakahi Falls it has the largest hot waterfalls in the southern hemisphere.
Waimangu has a number of interesting attractions too namely the Warbrick Terrace, Emerald Pools, Inferno Crater and the Frying Pan Lake!
Waiotapu features the Champagne pools, and the Lady Knox geyser which “blows” at the same time each day!
The district with a population of around 68,000 people, 35% of whom are Maori, is also the heartland of Maori culture. Visitors will delight in the many cultural attractions, including a Cultural Heritage Trail, and there is a thriving arts and crafts industry much of which is Maori based.
In Rotorua itself there is Kuirua Park close to the centre of town where you can see mud pools, steaming holes, and a bubbling lake. A weekly farmers market is held here too. The historic area of Ohinemutu Village is a popular attraction on the lakefront. Also, it is possible to walk from lakefront to Sulphur Point, via a bird sanctuary and to marvel at the milky white waters, pools and sulphur vents.
One of the best ways to experience the region is to take to the walking tracks, especially The Redwoods, Tarawere, Whirinaki Forest and the Ohere Scenic Falls reserve. The latter is in a lovely setting on the banks fo the Kaituna River.
The region also has some 16 lakes, of which 14 are accessible to the public. Lake Okareka and the Blue lake are great swimming places in the summer months. Most of the lake areas offer water skiing, kayaking, fishing, hiking or simply take a picnic and enjoy a leisurely nature ramble.