A personal guide to Travelling in Rotorua, New Zealand
evaluating the main sites in the district.
Introduction:
If you had only one day in the North Island of New Zealand and you asked
me where should one go for that day I would without hesitation say
Rotorua.
This article is my personal guide to Rotorua from someone who has
visited it more times than I can remember and if given the chance I
would visit it again. This article is non-commercial and is intended to
be for general information.
Location:
Rotorua is approximately 2.5 - 3 hours drive south of Auckland. Head
south through Hamilton and Cambridge, or for a quicker route via Mata
Mata. Shortly after Cambridge turn left and take the number 5 which will
lead you right to Rotorua. Coming up from Wellington head to Lake Taupo
and take the number 5 to Rotorua. Train and Bus routes also service
Rotorua.
Attractions:
Rotorua is a jewel in the North Island, with geothermal wonders, a
center of Maori Culture, Parks, Lakes, Natural History and numerous
modern day attractions. Most visitors comment on the smell when they
arrive. It is Hydrogen Sulphide (rotten egg gas) and while distinct at
first, if you stay for any length of time you will adapt and seldom
notice it.
Geothermal Parks
The main geothermal parks in Rotorua and its surrounds include
Whakarewarewa thermal area, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Waitapu Thermal
wonderland, Orakei Korako Geyserland and Hell's Gate. All these required
payment.
Whakarewarewa:
Visiting this site used to be standard fare in any visit to Rotorua.
Unfortunately the park has now divided into two parts, and I personally
don't believe either site has enough to stand alone. So what you used to
get for one entry price now costs two (be warned). On the Hemo Road
entrance is the NZ Maori Arts and Crafts Institute with its master
carvers. Also includes a weaving house, kiwi house, and Maori meeting
house. Pohutu (big splash) and the Prince of Wales geyser are also on
this side. (Prince of Wales geyser so named because the 3 directions the
geyser shoots out resembles the feathers on the Prince of Wales crest).
On the Tyron street entrance you get another meeting house where a
cultural show is put on, a village, shops and some hot pools, etc. Also
here outside school hours you may find the local Maori children willing
to jump off the bridge into the stream below in return for chasing your
loose change thrown into the same.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley:
A nice walk along a valley with numerous hot pools, lakes, and near the
end of the track the Warbrick thermal terrace - a multi coloured silica
terrace, probably the most colourful terrace in Rotorua. Worth a visit
if you have already seen some thermal parks and want more, or like a
more expansive tour, you can link with a boat tour. (see the gallery for
some photos courtesy Waimangu's website). The pink and white terraces
once existed in the area prior to the 1886 eruption.
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland:
My personal favourite, about 20 min. south of Rotorua towards Taupo. Be
prepared to walk abit. Numerous rainbow pools, the huge champagne pool,
artist palette, sulphur vents, boiling mud and a huge silica terrace. If
you arrive early in the morning, before 10am, a short drive leads you to
the Lady Knox geyser that gets set off once a day by them feeding it
with soap, cost of this is included in your admission (was $25 an
adult). Also on this road is a natural mud pool which is the best
display of boiling mud I have seen and its free.
Orakei Korako Geyserland:
Closer to Lake Taupo than Rotorua on a side road connecting route 5 to
the main route 1. You need to catch the ferry across the lake to begin
exploring the park. Like most of the parks good tracks requiring you to
walk to see mud pools, a large cave, the emerald terrace and the largest
silica feature in the country. Worth the visit if you are passing that
way.
Hell's Gate:
Another thermal park with numerous boiling things, including Adam's
frying pan, a mud volcano, hot water falls and one of the few places I
found I could buy the multi-colour sand in a glass container (quite
pretty). Once visited by Mark Twain who stated he would have gladly paid
not to have gone there. I'll have to disagree; I think it's worth the
visit.
Maori Culture
Rotorua has plenty of Maori based attractions. These include Tamaki
Maori Village (I've yet to visit). The NZ Maori Arts and Crafts
Institute (already spoken about), the Buried Village and numerous Hungi
and Cultural Performances.
The Buried village is what it sounds like, a half buried village. During
the 1886 eruption a number of local Maori perished buried in mud. Some
of the village has since been dig out and rebuilt to give tourists an
idea of a Maori village.
I haven't been to Tamaki Maori Village so can't give a review.
If you really want to get a good taste of Maori culture food and
hospitality then book one of the many feasts and concerts put on by the
local hotels. The food, music and friendship are always top rate.
Other Attractions
Rainbow Springs Park:
A nice park with trout fish as its centerpiece, beautiful clear running
water and a top bushland. Lovely walking tracks and you can feed the
fish. Also has a farm show attached.
Skyline Skyrides:
The main reason to take this ride on a gondola is not just to get to the
top for the view, the main reason is to ride the luge. Massive fun, as
long as you don't fall off. They have a small chairlift operating so
that you can ride the luge for as long as your budget can afford.
Agrodome:
Everything you wanted to know about sheep. Surprising a show about sheep
and farming in NZ is interesting and entertaining.
Rotorua Museum of Art:
One of the first buildings built in NZ solely with tourists in mind.
Originally built as a bath house and hot water treatment center it has
now been converted. Good museum but the highlight is the movie on local
history, sit down and be sure to be holding on - a total multimedia
experience. Definite must do. The building itself is one of the finest
examples of Edwardian design and is an art piece in itself. The
surrounding gardens are always nicely maintained.
Natures Wonders
There are numerous things to do, totally free for nature lovers.
Huka Falls:
Just North from Lake Taupo on the M1 is Huka Falls and the world famous
Huka Falls Lodge (for the novu-rich of the world). Huka Falls itself is
free for all. Near the beginning of the mighty Waikato river (NZ longest
river) it's not the height of the falls but the sheer volume of water
that is forced through which is impressive, few people have gone over
the falls and survived. Boat trips are now run up to the base of the
falls for those wanting a different perspective.
Whakarewarewa Forrest Park:
On the road to the blue and green lakes. Contains beautiful stands of
redwood trees, walking and horse riding tracks. The redwood trees are
relatively young for trees, but they are already huge in size.
Government Gardens:
Outside the Rotorua museum is well kept flower beds, rose gardens,
bowling greens and more.
Kuirau Park:
Opposite the main hospital on Kuirau road is Kuirau Park with numerous
boiling pools and geothermal activities. Contains some foot pools to
ease your sore feet and a children's park with miniature railway. On my
last visit there was a huge hole in the ground and several trees blown
over or covered in mud due to a localized eruption. It is a reminder the
whole area is geothermally active and has the potential to be dangerous.
Blue and Green Lakes:
Past Whakarewarewa Forrest Park is the blue lake, great for swimming or
boating activities, clear water with a pumice bottom, those further out
there is a problem with weeds. Keep going on the road to get a view of
Mt. Tarawera. The green lake is banned and tapu (Maori for cursed,
sacred, special) and no is supposed to enter it.
Mt. Tarawera:
For the true adventure fanatics. Take the back road and climb Mount
Tarawera. Enter the crater and run down to the bottom at full speed. The
massive crater was caused by the 10 June 1886 eruption which destroyed
the pink and white terraces and buried many villages.
Lakes:
The number of lakes is simply too many to mention. Great for trout
fishing, boating or picnics. Some lakes even have black volcanic glass
and/or pumice stone lying on their shores.
Hamurana Springs:
If you want to see a beautiful spring feed stream, this is worth a
visit, pure water with a hint of blue flowing over white pumice bed.
There is also a nice stand of redwoods and I would be surprised if you
didn't' see any trout in the stream (no fishing allowed, sorry).
This list is by no means exhaustive and like any tourist destination new
venues are always opening up. I hope this provides you with a basic to
do list when visiting. To see pictures go to the website in the resource
box below.
