Rotorua is known as the "little town" of New Zealand's North Island (though its population is nearly 60,000), and the country's "Sulphur City," world famous for the geothermal activity resulting the area's volcanic activity. There are no live volcanoes around here, but plenty of hot water comes out from deep under the earth, manifesting as bubbling mud pools, geysers, and warm streams. Rotorua is also home to a rich Maori culture, sublime wildlife and landscapes, and plenty of adrenaline-packed fun. Here's a look at four cool things to do up here:
Canopy Tours/Ziplines
Rotorua Canopy Tours allows you to gain access to scenic views over the northern part of the North Island that will leave you inspired. In the canopy of the ancient trees, this eco-adventure will provide amazing forest vistas and plenty of adrenaline as you zip through the canopy. Just 15 minutes from town, this three-hour experience includes have 600 metres of zip lines, including one that travels for 200 metres. Packages include:
Zip and Soak: A canopy tour combined with a visit to the Polynesian Spa Deluxe Lake Spa, which regularly makes the lists of the world's top 10 spas in the world. A fabulous way to chill out after amping up!
Zip and Roll: Experience the native forest on ziplines as well as swing bridges andtreetop platforms, then enjoy the biggest zorb ballpark in the world, rolling through the valleys and hills of the region around the Mokoia Island and Lake Rotorua. (If you haven't already heard about this, "zorbing" is rolling across the terrain in giant clear beachballs - quite an experience!)
Cave and Canopy Combo: Ziplining paired with exploring and tubing the underground river of Ruakuri Cave in the nearby Waitomo area, with its fantastic limestone formations and world famous glow worms.
Mitai Maori Village
No trip to Rotorua is complete without plenty of interaction with the Maori people. You need to get the cultural side of the space to truly experience it completely.
The bush setting in the Mitai village is authentic and will leave you contemplating the history of this warrior people. You'll get to see the traditional attire, ancient warrior canoes, and glow worms in their natural setting, lighting up the environment.
After a fun-filled, learning experience, you'll be treated to games, dances, and songs with a Maori concert, and no experience of the Maori would be complete without the Maori war dance, the Haka – sure to send tingles down your spine.
With combat performances and demonstrations of weapons that the Maori have used throughout their long history, this trip has something for everyone.
A Mud Spa and Hells Gate Geothermal Park
Hells gate was thus named by George Bernard Shaw because of the toxic smell of the sulphur coming up through the ground, and the bubbling waters that inspire awe in all that see them. Around Hells gate, you will experience thermal muds that have special healing properties, and whose ingredients are used in award-winning spas in the region.
After your mud bath, you'll enjoy a relaxing shower, and your blood circulation and level of relaxation will be at a new high. Hells gate is a must visit in Rotorua, and why not combine it with a mud spa?
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
On Trip Advisor, this place has been rated one of the most surreal locations in the world. It's a visit that will surely get your mind racing and your senses tingling. With a natural Bush setting, and massive craters made by volcanoes, steaming vents and sinter Terrace formations, there is just so much to see in this geothermal geological site.
The Champagne Pool will certainly take your breath away, and there’s so much more available in this Wonderland and is priced very reasonably as well.
Wrapping up
These Rotorua activities are just a few of the combinations you can do as you enjoy a trip to this slice of paradise. Plan your journey, ensuring that you book the most in-demand things plenty of time in advance to avoid disappointment. Value for money is all in the experience, and the packages here have various prices, so head over to their website and see what is available.
Comments