Rotorua
From MaxTravelz
Rotorua is known as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. Its hot springs and geysers have attracted tourists for over a hundred years.
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Understand
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, and for good reason, the tourism services are therefore well developed and visitors should definitely make a stop at the Tourist Information Centre on the main road, Fenton Street.
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. Unfortunately the main resort is closed at the moment (12/12/03) due to a problem with the venting. However Wai Tapu is an entertaining day out.
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 recognisable 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 travelling 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.
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 airport serviced regularly by Air New Zealand who fly there from Auckland, Napier, Wellington and Christchurch. Bus services are provided by http://www.intercitycoach.co.nz/
Get around
There is an functional bus service, ask at the tourist information centre on Fenton Street for details.
See
Te Puia -- http://www.nzmaori.co.nz/ -- home to the Whakarewarewa Valley of geothermal activity, including bubbling mud pools and geisers. 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.
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) -- An agricultural park with farm animals, shows and exhibitions describing rural life in New Zealand both past and present.
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 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Tarawera
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 centre 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 jewellery, traditional weapons and statues. This selection is accompanied by sheepskins and the normal tourist giftware of t-shirts, caps, mugs and pens plastered with "Rotorua", other words and pictures. More attractive and practical gifts can be found such as simple clothing (jackets, shirts, ties, caps) with abstract maori designs on them.
Eat
Rotorua is one of the most common places to try the traditional maori feast, the Hangi - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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.
In the last decade Rotorua has slowly acquired some nice cafes - good options include: Relish, Capers or the Fat Dog.
Restaurants are slightly more scarce but several of the major hotels have good eating establishments (Novotel or Ridges on the raceway).
Ask the more friendly looking locals for directions.
Drink
Rotorua is sometimes referred to as Roto-Vegas because of the many neon-lit hotels along the main street, the numerous venues for gambling and the few brothels. Strangely though, there isn't much night life to speak of. The bar at the Hot Rocks Backpackers - the Lava Bar - is a good bet, alternatively you could try the Pig & Whistle, Fuse or the Fat Dog Cafe.
Sleep
Stay safe
This geothermal wonderland has some hazards. Respect safety signs and barriers around active geothermal locations - they are there for good reasons. The hot water and mud from geothermal springs can be boiling hot. Superheated steam may cause eruptions - after all it is steam that makes the geysers spout.
The sulphurous smell (that rotten eggs smell) in the air means that some toxic gases may also be present. Take care in confined and unventilated spaces, particularly those below ground level or around geothermal pools. Toxic geothermal gases have been known to asphyxiate people.
Avoid bathing in geothermal pools where the water has been in contact with the ground. At the very least do not put your head underwater. Geothermal ground water can carry bacteria that cause amoebic meningitis.
While New Zealand is a tourist paradise it should be remembered that as with most countries petty theft is a common occurrence. With so many of Rotorua's thermal wonders being in isolated areas it pays to take notice of the warning signs and keep cars locked with valuables hidden from view so as not to have your visit ruined by petty opportunistic crime.
Get out
Heading south from Rotorua takes you to Taupo, a similar town on the side of New Zealands 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.
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