Rotorua

By wanderlust

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Rotorua is world-renowned for its impressive thermal landscape with spouting geysers, steaming fumaroles, cold and boiling mud pools, hot springs, and huge water-filled craters. The region’s largest such crater, Lake Rotorua, surrounds the vibrant city with its vast array of activities.

The centre has over 250 shops and 50 restaurants to choose from, with different kinds of accommodation available. It can get pretty full during the holiday seasons so best to book ahead.

Free Attractions
Explore the following sights for free: Government Gardens (contains the Rotorua Museum), Kuirau Park, Redwood Memorial Grove Walking Track, St. Faith’s Church, and Rainbow Mountain.

Must-Dos
Skyline Skyrides – The Gondola gives spectacular views of the city while the Luge – gravity ride down the mountain on a three-wheel cart – is fun for the whole family.
Polynesian Spa – Experience hot mineral bathing and massage therapies in this World Top 10 Spa.
Rainbow Springs – See native flora and fauna including the kiwi and living dinosaur the tuatara.
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland – Guarantees a geyser sighting (the Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at 10:15am) among the many natural wonders a volcanic area has to offer.
Te Puia – Encounter the Maori culture and heritage in this home of the Pohutu geyser.

What They Don’t Tell You
You can’t escape the pervasive “rotten egg smell” (from the sulphur)! Short of wearing a gas mask, though, you’ll just have to get used to it.


By land: The city is 3 hours' drive away from Auckland (234km) and 5 to 6 hours from Wellington (457km).

By air: Rotorua airport is one of the busiest domestic terminals, with services to/from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.




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