Rotorua is known as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. Its hot springs and geysers have attracted tourists for over a hundred years.

[Edit] Destination Info

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-O-Tapu is an entertaining day out.

[Edit] 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, but sections of the road boast the highest accident rates in NZ, so caution is needed. 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.

Bus services are provided by http://www.intercitycoach.co.nz/. A lower cost intercity alternative is http://nakedbus.com whose prices start at $1

[Edit] Get around

There is an functional ,if somewhat limited, bus service. They are lime green in colour 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.

Further info can be found at the tourist information centre on Fenton Street.

[Edit] See

As New Zealand's busiest tourist centre 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 is the Sportsdrome 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 centre. 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 traveller. 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 worlds 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 walkt 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 centre) 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, although Planet Bike also usually have a truck with hire gear at the main car park.

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. Now under construction to become an even more mega-attraction.

Wkakarewarewa Thermal Village - the main competitor to Te Puia - ironically two Maori iwi competing with similar attractions. Good, and appears less developed and maybe more "authentic" than the next door Te Puia.

Skyline Skyrides[1] (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 both 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 inan 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.

[Edit] 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 Luge Ride[2], 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. When deciding if spending $20+ per person for entry to "Volcanic Caldera Areas" remeber that there are many free parks that have very similiar sights and smells, often with less walking and no charge.

[Edit] 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.

[Edit] 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.

In the last decade Rotorua has slowly acquired some nice cafes - good options include:Ciccio Italian cafe, 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). The main centre for eating is lower end of Tutanakei Street (known locally as Eat Street), but beware, even after 9pm you may find little left on the menu.

The usual generic chains for Pizzas and burgers also can be found. Another option would be to go for the buffet at Skyline Skyrides [3], as this saves the cost of the gondola ride and you can often get a spectacular view of the sunset over the lake. Prices are about NZ$40 per adult, with children charged at NZ$1 per year of age.

Ask the more friendly looking locals for directions.

[Edit] 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.