Located on the shores of Lake Rotorua is a city given the nickname Sulphur City due to the thermal springs and hot mud pools in and around it.
Rotorua is a city of just under 60,000 people which has a long history as one of the premier tourist destinations on the North Island.
Situated in the Bay of Plenty Region, Rotorua is a thermal wonderland, with spas and thermal hot springs beckoning visitors who quickly get used to the pungent rotten egg smell and enjoy the city’s many attractions.
Spas
Since the 1800s, Rotorua has been famous for its spas. There are plenty of choices for visitors, but one of the most famous is the Polynesian Spa, which is located right by the lake.
Māori Culture
A must see in Rotorua is Te Puia, the location of the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, a kiwi conservation centre, and the awe inspiring Pohutu Geothermal geyser. Visitors can see students carve traditional Māori sculptures, and then end their day with a Hāngī (a Māori cooking technique that utilizes heated rocks buried in a pit).
Whakarewarewa Forest
Mountain bikers will delight in the Whakarewarewa Forest, which features close to 200 km of biking trails. The forest has achieved Gold Status by the International Mountain Biking Association, and was voted the best mountain biking in the Southern Hemisphere by Red Bull.
Lakes
Home to 17 lakes (known as the Lakes of Rotorua), the area around the city offers a variety of watersports, from waterskiing to swimming. Float planes land and take off from Lake Rotorua, and the city hosted the 2007 World Waterski Championships.
Kerosene Creek
On the road to Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland is a free hot springs that is increasingly popular with visitors and locals alike. Kerosene Creek is a thermal river, complete with a thermal waterfall.
Skyline Rotorua
Visitors with a need for speed can check out Skyline Rotorua’s Luge track. Featuring vehicles that are part go-cart, part toboggan, riders have complete control over speed and direction. It’s a fun way for the family to spend sometime in between spas and the other attractions in Rotorua.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Ten minutes north of Rotorua, the Waimangu Volcanic Valley features what is billed as the world’s largest hot springs, the aptly named Frying Pan Lake. Self guided and guided tours, kayaking, hiking and boat cruises on Lake Rotomahana are all offered, and the valley features the geothermal wonders that are found throughout the Rotorua area.
Velocity Valley
If amusement parks are your thing, Rotorua’s Velocity Valley Adrenaline Park bills itself as New Zealand’s premier adventure park and features six different attractions, including the southern hemisphere’s only outdoor open wind tunnel, bungee jumping and the Shweeb Racer (a human powered monorail racetrack).
Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland
Located 27 km south of Rotorua, Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland boasts a number of unique features, including the colourful bubbling Champagne Pool, The Lady Knox Geyser (which erupts every day at 10:15 am), and a variety of geothermal wonders. Tickets to the attraction start at 32 $NZ, and there are three walks which range from 45 to 90 minutes.
