New Zealand’s cities are home to some of the most fun and unique activities in the world. Whether you are a social butterfly or an adrenaline junkie, these cities have it all for you to explore. Rotorua, a small city in New Zealand, is one such town that has tons of things to see & do. It is the heart of New Zealand’s geothermal attractions. Lying on the shores of the lake, after which it is named, Rotorua is known for its hot springs and geysers. It is known as the thermal hotspot of New Zealand. By taking the luge down from the Skyline cable car, or try water rafting, you will find many adventure activities to do.
While its parks and nature reserves are home to vents, fissures, and lakes, a fair share of the Maori population rejuvenate the town with their art, culture, and history. The volcanic landscape, fantastic natural wonders, and a plethora of outdoor activities make Rotorua a mesmerizing city to visit. Even if you have only one day to spare, you can do a lot here. Hire a rental car and enjoy your road trip.
01 Wai-O-Tapu
Made over thousands of years, Visit the ever-compelling Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland. The area is home to many colorful hot springs, geysers, and pools, which were painted by the chemical makeup of their volcanic activity. The Champagne Pool is its most famous attraction, along with the gushing Lady Knox Geyser.
This colorful area brims with volcanic activity such as bubbling mud, bright orange, and turquoise champagne pool, impressive volcanic craters, steaming fumaroles, and bright silica terraces, creating a surreal and otherworldly landscape.
Stroll through the area for stunning views of all the volcanic sights. You can also spend a little time in the visitor center as they provide detailed information regarding the attraction. Also, there is a shop and a small café on site.
02 Whakarewarewa: A Maori Village
To have an authentic experience of Maori culture, visit the Maori villages, where you can see traditional dancing, singing, and rituals. Here, the Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao tribes welcome visitors for a dose of the culture, customs, and heritage of the Maori people.
The Living Maori Village offers guided tours that include the area’s with natural treasures, hosting hangi feasts, the performance of the Haka, and other traditional Maori songs by the Te Pakira cultural group, flax-weaving classes, and even Ta Moko tattoo sessions.
People can even stay overnight in the village of Marae. The facility also boasts a campsite location.
03 Hells Gate
Set amid 50 acres of steaming, boiling geothermal activity, Hell’s Gate is home to the Southern Hemisphere’s hottest water waterfall and is one of the most active thermal parks in Rotorua. You can make the most of the healing properties found in its geothermally-heated mud baths or simply enjoy an interactive Maori carving experience. You can even visit a little less hot Hells Gate spa facilities in the neighborhood where you can chill out in geothermal mud baths and sulfurous hot springs.
04 Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley, one of the most popular places to see the seething mud and steaming silica terraces. It is a hydrothermal system that emerged in 1886, after the major eruption of Mt Tarawera. Waimangu is also home to the steaming Inferno Crater Lake, best known for its distinctive blue color, and the Frying Pan Lake, which is the world’s largest thermal spring. A series of pathways here allows visitors to view the smoke-filled craters and bizarre acid-yellow and lime-green terraces safely. The inferno crater is a highlight, with its huge geyser billowing into action.
Walkthrough the trail that will take you to the shore of Lake Rotomahana, where boat rides are offered to view more geothermal features. If you are a history buff, the 45-minute boat trip is a must-do, as the cruise takes you across the site of the famed pink and white terraces, which were destroyed when Mount Tarawera erupted in 1886.
05 Mokoia Island
Mokoia Island sits somewhere in the middle of Lake Rotorua and is steeped in ancient myths. It is the setting for the Maori love story of star-crossed lovers Hinemoa and Tutanekai. It is privately owned by a local Te Arawa Maori tribe, who consider the site to be quite sacred. With an area of 1.35 square kilometers, Mokoia Island is a rhyolite lava dome, with geothermal springs and hot pools abound. The Island is considered a protected bird sanctuary for some of New Zealand’s rare and endangered birdlife. You can even consider taking the guided tours of the island that include opportunities to spot indigenous bird species such as kokako, kiwi, and saddleback.