Rotorua
(population 77.000)One of the top tourist destinations on the northern island is Rotorua. This beautiful city lies on the shore of Lake Rotorua. It is a very popular place and “can’t be missed”. This city is blessed with the most powerful thermal activity in New Zealand. It encompasses bubbling mud pools, beautiful geysers and egg smell. Because many Maori live in this area it is one of the best places in New Zealand to attend a Maori concert, show and to go to a Marae (Maori meeting house). Besides that you will find many Outdoor opportunities in Rotorua.
Outdoor
Aerial sight seeing
There are many companies offering aerial sight seeing (in a plain or helicopter). You can choose what kind of flight you would like; short or long, inexpensive or expensive.
Climbing
Rotorua has an indoor climbing wall. You can climb here or you can climb outside when having booked a climbing tour. Of course the experienced and equipped amongst us can do some climbing without attending a tour or having a guide.
Cruising
You can attend a tour on Lake Rotorua. The lake has been “born” by a volcanic eruption.
Extreme(r) sports
For the ones whishing to do something extreme: go white water sledging. You can choose doing it from a relatively calm or relatively wild river.
Another “extreme” option Rotorua offers is skydiving. This includes spectacular views.
Fishing
A lot of trout can be caught in the lakes around Rotorua . You can catch some on your own, but be sure it is permitted to fish there and that your license is in order. You can also attend a Fishing tour. Fishing equipment can be rented as well, for either on a tour or for privately Fishing.
Horse riding
You can attend a short or long (overnight) horse trek.
Kayaking
You can attend kayak tours on the lakes around Rotorua. You can either book a short trip or a long (overnight) trip. You can also rent a kayak only.
Mountain biking and cycling
Whakarewarewa State Forest Park offers some great mountainbiking options, for the more and the less experienced bikers. You can head off on you own bike, you can rent a bike (and accessories) or you can attend a tour. You can also rent a city bike.
Thermal pools
There is a wide variety of thermal pools in (the area of) Rotorua. You will be able to choose from different spa’s where you will be able to soak in thermal pools. The temperature of the pools vary and also what herbals etc. are in the water. Some pools are outside and some inside. It is also possible to soak in a natural thermal pool for free. This place is Kerosene Creek.
Tramping
There are many nice tramps, short and long, in this impressive area. For more detailed information of the below written, please visit a DOC or tourist information center. If you would like to walk trough special trees, you should try the Redwood Grove. If you would like to walk near and on the shoreline of a lake, the Western Okataina Walkway and the Eastern Okataina Walkway will be suitable. For the ones wishing to see some waterfalls, the Okere Falls Walk will be a good option. If you love climbing summits and having spectacular views, Rainbow Mountain Walk will be a good choice.
White water rafting
There are different companies offering rafts on different rivers. There are options to choose relative calm rivers and there are options to choose very wild rivers, including a 7 meter drop during the rafting trip off the Okere Falls.
Culture and Entertainment
Cultural buildings and places
Ohinemutu
This is a Maori village on the side of Lake Rotorua. In This village the St Faith’s Anglican Church and Tamatekapua Meeting House are worth paying attention to.
Te Whakarewarewa
This is a very large thermal reserve. Besides that Te Whakarewarewa offers a lot of Maori Culture. There are geysers, mud pools, a Maori meeting house, and a Maori craft institute and so on.
Maori marae
Maori Culture is prevalent in Rotorua. For tourist this is together with the thermal activity of this area the reason of visiting Rotorua. The main cultural attractions are Maori concerts and hangi (cooked meals). There are quite a few Maori meeting houses where you will be able to attend these cultural activities. There are many tourist organizations, Accommodations etc. offering these kinds of cultural activities to tourists. Finally: it is worth attending a cultural activity.
Museums
Rotorua Museum of Art and History
This museum features Maori art and History related to the Maori. The building in which the museum is located is beautiful. It is known as the Bath House.