Rotorua, New Zealand Travel Guide
Rotorua is positioned among some of the most volatile and stunning landscapes on the planet and is now a prime spot for adventurers. Its volcanic activity makes it a prime spot for geysers and hot springs, and subsequent geothermal movement has helped carved fascinating landscapes out of the earth.
To truly experience the history of this region, your tour should include a stop at the Buried Village, also called Te Wairoa. When Mt. Tarawera erupted in 1886, it was engulfed in ash and soot, and many of the buildings and artifacts that were buried have been extracted and now on permanent display.
Visit the Tamaki Maori Village to take a journey back in time. In the forest’s depths, you will get a clear picture of Maori traditions and lifestyles. At the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, appreciate, view, and learn more about the traditional arts preserved here. Speak with expert weavers and carvers and learn the processes and history of each art form. Watch a film show that brings the 1866 eruption of Mount Tarawera alive at the Rotorua Museum of Art and History.
Take a trip to Blue Baths to bathe in a crystal clear hot spa. There is a museum in the old changing rooms that showcases the colorful past of the building. Dine upstairs in the tearooms, with views over the manicured Government Gardens. Enjoy a Maori concert and hangi food at one of the city’s hotels or on Mokoia Island.
The scenery in Rotorua is an adventure in itself. Volcanic cones, lakes, and forests make this region a brilliant destination for hikes, bikes, and walks. Visit the Californian redwoods to horse trek, bike, jog, or walk on the forest trails. Choose from the wide range of river and lake excursions – raft, kayak, cruise, or go white water sledding.
Expect the unexpected in Rotorua. The natural assets of the region provide a great scope for entertainment. Experience a highly amusing, action-packed farm show featuring lamb feeding, cow milking, sheep shearing, and trained rams. The ponds at Rainbow Springs are full of wild trout. Here you can encounter conservation in action as you get to study the tuatara, watch native birds, and feed the fish.
Test your nerves in the rapids of Kaituna River or hop into a boat for a cruise through the gorges. Mount Ngongotaha is great for those looking for an easier adventure. From here you get a spectacular view of Lake Rotorua and for a 360° view of the area, you can take a gondola ride up to the mountaintop.