Subscribe To This Site
Wanting to know more about Rotorua attractions?. Read On.
Rotorua Attractions - An Amazing Thermal Wonderland And Adventure Playground Rotorua is one of our favourite North Island destinations. Most visitors remember the distinctive smell of sulphur, but for us, Rotorua is fondly remembered as a place where, several decades ago, we first experienced a wonderful introduction to Maori culture, surrounded by a stunning backdrop of mud pools, geysers, and the beautiful Lake Rotorua. It's one of those places where you will never be lost for something to do, such is the wide range of Rotorua attractions (you can see a selection of things to do in the right hand column of this page). Rotorua is a region where Maori culture thrives in a unique geothermal landscape. It is one of New Zealand’s most famous and long-standing tourist destinations. Located in New Zealand's North Island, Rotorua sits between the Lake Taupo , the Bay of Plenty , and Waikato regions. 
Since the early 19th century, tourists have flocked to see Rotorua attractions, and in particular, New Zealand's natural hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and active geysers. The region is a haven for adventure seekers who visit the region for a wide range of pursuits such as mountain biking (the Rotorua region has some of the best trails in New Zealand), trout fishing, bathing in natural hot pools, white water rafting, and sky diving, to name a few. Rotorua has a full range of facilities including restaurants, shops, and accommodation. Rotorua Attractions - Heritage & Maori Culture The town of Rotorua, on the shores of Lake Rotorua, is home to the Te Arawa iwi, one of New Zealand’s larger Maori tribes. 
About 600 years ago, a Maori leader called Ihenga discovered the region. Legend has it that he was hunting food for his pregnant wife when one of his dogs ran off chasing a kiwi (the native flightless bird). The faithful dog returned with a wet coat and threw up a partly digested fish. Ihenga realised that there must be water nearby so off he went, and discovered Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotorua.
The industrious Te Arawa people were New Zealand’s first tour guides, and since the 1800s, they’ve been hosting visitors from all over the world. 
Celebrated as the eighth wonder of the world, the Pink and White Terraces were the major attraction until 1886 when the massive Mt Tarawera volcanic eruption destroyed the colourful silica terraces and natural thermal pools. About 150 people died in the eruption that also destroyed the village of Te Wairoa (known as the Buried Village). Survivors of the eruption moved to Whakarewarewa Thermal Village where they continued their guiding tradition. Today, about 36 percent of Rotorua’s population identify as Maori, many with Te Arawa roots. Rotorua New Zealand offers a rich Maori experience based on many local legends and long cultural history. At Whakarewarewa, a living Maori village in an active geothermal setting, residents still use natural resources for cooking, washing and bathing. Guided tours include bubbling mud pools, mineral springs where families 
bathe, and local cuisine cooked in thermal waters and traditional hangi ovens. One of the more popular Rotorua attractions is Tamaki Maori Village, an authentic Maori village in the Rotorua forest. Their all inclusive experience offers visitors a guided coach trip to the village, on which you will learn about the traditional Maori greeting, and elect a "Chief" to represent your tour and accept a peace offering on arrival. At the village you will see and experience Maori art, customs, and song and dance, before finally dining at a traditional Maori hangi (feast). Tamaki Maori Village proudly claim to be "New Zealand's Most Awarded Cultural Tourism Attraction". You can learn more about Tamaki Maori Village here. Te Puia, an important Maori culture centre, has visitor experiences covering traditional artforms, carving and weaving, Maori story-telling, and authentic cultural performances. Personalised tours with local Maori guides offer in-depth Maori culture experiences taking visitors off-the-beaten track into the region and the local culture. Rotorua Attractions - Luxury 
The region’s thermal landscape provides the perfect setting for a range of natural spas. Thousands of people flock to them, looking to ease their tensions in the warm, soothing waters.
Imagine sitting in your own private spa, soaking away your aches and pains and gazing over Lake Rotorua! And the region is also home to some of New Zealand’s top luxury lodges, such as Treetops Lodge and Wilderness Estate and Lake Okareka Lodge. Adventure and Outdoors - Rotorua Attractions The region’s volcanic landscape provides a dynamic backdrop to some of New Zealand’s best adventure and outdoor activities. 
With more than 70km of tracks just minutes from the city centre, Rotorua New Zealand is a leading mountain-biking destination. In Whakarewarewa forest, cyclists weave through thick forest past flashes of beautiful lakes, geothermal action and iconic Mt Tarawera.
Rotorua is also home to world-first adventure activities, such as the Zorb and Shweeb. Zorbing involves rolling down a hill in a large inflatable ball (not my thing, sorry!), while the Shweeb 
is the world’s first human powered monorail racetrack. Adrenalin junkies can also luge, raft, sledge, off-road, sky dive, bodyfly and bungy.
The Rotorua region is an angler’s dream with top-notch river and lake fishing locations, with the unique option of cooking the catch in hot sands on a thermal beach. For a great view of the region, take a trip on the Skyline Gondola to the top of Mount Ngongotaha. Here you can visit the gift shop, dine at the restaurant, or test yourself on their luge track. Great fun for the whole family. Rotorua Attractions - There's Lots To Do In Rotorua Here are a few suggestions: * Visit the Blue and Green Lakes. These water filled volcanic craters are best viewed from a lookout between the two. They each have their own distinctive colour. 
* Rotorua's Agrodome has been entertaining visitors for decades. Sheep shearing, herding and lamb feeding demonstrations are presented in a uniquely kiwi way.
* The Hells Gate / Tikitere thermal area is the region's most active, with a small mud volcano and hot waterfall. The complex also houses a Maori carver, hot mineral pools and the Wai Ora Spa. * The Skyline Gondola and Luge complex is great fun for the family. The gondola ride takes you 487 metres above Rotorua to Mt Ngongotaha for spectacular views. On the luge, riders weave their way down the hillside on small carts which travel at speeds controlled by the rider. Great fun. There is a similar complex in Queenstown. 
* Have a picnic beside Lake Rotorua. At 80 square kilometres, it's the second largest North Island lake.
* Te Puia attracts over 500,000 visitors annually and is home to a large thermal area featuring bubbling mud pools, steaming terraces, and the largest and most active geyser in the country, Pohutu, which erupts regularly to heights of up to 30 metres. The complex also houses a Maori cultural centre featuring live traditional music and dance, weaving and carving. One of the "must see" Rotorua attractions. * Wai-o-Tapu has the most surface geothermal activity in the region. Bubbling pools and springs and a series of amazing coloured pools (including the Champagne Pools) make this another top attraction. DID YOU KNOW * Rotorua is a Maori word that means 'second lake'. * Lake Rotorua was formed 140,000 years ago. * Waimangu volcanic valley is the world’s only hydro thermal system created within written history. * Rotorua is a four time winner of New Zealand’s most beautiful city award.
For more information on Rotorua attractions click here to go to the Tourism New Zealand web site.
|
