Rotorua is known as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. Its hot springs and geysers have attracted tourists for over a hundred years. Rotorua sits on the shores of Lake Rotorua. There are several other lakes nearby. Along with the geothermal wonders, there are also the more usual water activities such as fishing and boating. Tourism is a major industry in Rotorua.
Rotorua is built over a geothermal hot spot. There are numerous natural vents, hot pools and other geothermal features in and around the city. Many of these are in parks and reserves. Natural eruptions of steam, hot water and mud occasionally occur in new locations. Many places have their own private geothermal bores for heating and water for bathing, although private use of naturally occurring geothermal water and steam is controlled.
Geologically, Rotorua is in the middle of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is named after Lake Taupo, the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas, which now contain lakes, and several more recognizable volcanoes in the surrounding area. It is this geologically active zone that produces the heat that is needed to drive all the geothermal activity.
Get In
Rotorua is about a 3-hour drive south from Auckland, with several nice towns and villages along the way.
There are two main routes, via Hamilton initially traveling on State Highway 1 and then joining State Highway 5 at Tirau, or via Matamata on Route 27. The Matamata route is less busy and probably a more interesting bet for travellers. Matamata has gained notoriety as it is where Hobbitton was built for the Lord of the Rings. The set is now a tourist attraction.
A third option to get amongst the rural farmland is to travel via Te Aroha and then south along old Te Aroha Road, stopping to see Wairere Falls. Be careful on the narrow windy unpainted roads. Rotorua also has an small airport serviced regularly by Air New Zealand who fly there from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch; a daily Qantas jet service also links the city to Christchurch. Development of the runway is ongoing and there are plans to offer trans-Tasman flights in the future.
Get Around
There is an functional, if somewhat limited, bus service. They are lime green in color and branded "CityRide". The main terminus is on Pukuatua Street (opposite side to the ASB bank building). These buses operate several routes from one side of the city to the other, including Ngongotaha (handy for accessing the Skyline, Rainbow Springs and Agrodome attractions), the Institute of Technology or 'Polytech' as the bus will say (Te Puia is across the main SH5 road), and the airport. The standard fare is NZ$2 regardless of how far you travel. Books of tickets can be bought at discounted rates. Note most bus services seem to stop operating at about 6pm. There are also three or four reputable taxi companies, all metered, and also a shuttle bus operator with trailer for larger groups.
See
As New Zealand's busiest tourist center there are a variety of attractions ranging from free to quite expensive.
- Government Gardens is an immaculate park near the CBD, where there is also the city museum (small entry charge) and the famous Blue Baths. Nearby are the Sportsdome and one of the many golf courses.
- The Lakes - there are 14 to choose from. Lake Rotorua gives its name to the city and boat trips can be arranged to Mokoia Island in the center. From the Lakefront, scenic floatplane or helicopter scenic flights can be taken. Alternatively, a cheaper option is to take the Amphibious truck from Fenton Street, which does a 90 minute tour of several of the main lakes in the area. All the lakes are stocked with trout and fishing is very popular.
- Okere Falls - approximately 20km out of the city towards Tauranga on SH33 you will pass the end of Lake Rotoiti; most of the 14 lakes flow into Rotoiti, which itself heads off to the Bay of Plenty, descending nearly 1000 feet in less than 30km. For this reason, it boasts some of the most spectacular white water challenges available to the intrepid traveler. These range from dual kayaks, to white water sledging (hurling yourself down stream with a life jacket and float), or rafting. Tuteas Fall is the world's largest/highest commercially rafted fall; with a 7m drop, on average every fourth boat flips! If you don't want to get wet there is a pleasant 6km walk though the forest where you can see the activities at close hand. There are also some small caves where glow worms can be found.
- Whakarewarewa Forest - AKA the Redwoods; accessible either from Tarawera Road (where there is a visitors center) or from SH5 on the Taupo Highway, the forest offers spectacular walks, mountain bike tracks (over 60km in total) and riding trails. Bikes can be hired from bike shops in the city.
- Te Puia is home to the Whakarewarewa Valley of geothermal activity, including bubbling mud pools and geysers. General admission is $25, but once inside there are regular, free guided tours throughout the park, including the geothermal areas, the marae, and the kiwi house. There are also Maori cultural experiences like traditional dances and meals available for an additional charge.
- Wkakarewarewa Thermal Village - the main competitor to Te Puia - ironically two Maori iwi competing with similar attractions.
- Skyline Skyrides (Fairy Springs Road) - located on the outskirts of town, this gondola ride up Mt. Ngongotaha offers a panoramic view of Rotorua and the surrounding mountains.
- Rainbow and Fairy Springs (Fairy Springs Road) - a small wildlife park near Skyline Skyrides, a nice place to spend an afternoon.
- The Agrodome (State Highway 5 North of Ngongotaha) - An agricultural park with farm animals, shows and exhibitions describing rural life in New Zealand both past and present. Both the sheep show and the farm tour are exceptional! As well as the farming attractions, the Agrodome is home to the Freefall Experience simulator, the north islands highest bungee jump, a jet boat ride, and the ubiquitous Zorb - where you are sealed in an inflatable ball and rolled down a steep hill!
- The Buried Village - Self-descriptive, the village was swamped with ash by the nearby Mt. Tarawera in the massive 1886 eruption which killed 153 people
Do
Your best bet is to spend some energy taking in some of the many day-time activities, such as land-sledding down Mt. Ngongotaha at Skyline Skyrides, heli-touring or hiking through the abundance of parks often alongside thermal vents. Nearby is the curious forest of California Redwoods that was planted last century and has thrived in the ideal climate so that it appears to have been there for many centuries. The forest in this area has been developed to provide world-class mountain biking tracks, some of which are being used for the 2006 World Championships. Rotorua host several other adventure activities such as Zorbing, indoor rock-climbing and whitewater rafting or sledging.
Buy
There are numerous Maori arts and crafts on sale in the city center and at the various tourist attractions. The quality varies from extremely professional contemporary artwork to cheap nick-nacks. Popular items include puonamu/greenstone (similar to jade) or bone jewelry, traditional weapons and statues.
Eat
Rotorua is one of the most common places to try the traditional maori feast, the Hangi. This "earthen oven" technique is similar to the Hawaiian Umu and results in a very distinctive smoky earthy flavour - well worth trying. There are numerous places to try a Hangi around Rotorua.
Get Out
Heading south from Rotorua takes you to Taupo, a similar town on the side of New Zealand's largest lake. North takes you to the Bay of Plenty coastline, a nice place to soak up the sun. West leads to Hamilton, Waitomo or Raglan and east into the sparsely populated, and ruggedly beautiful, Urewera National Park and East Cape.
