Rotorua is in the heart of New Zealand's most active thermal region and sits on the Volcanic Plateau 300 metres above sea level. From the moment you arrive, you know you are somewhere different just from the strong smell of sulphur in the air.
Most attractions are based around its two greatest assets - geothermal features and the 16 lakes in the area.
The many volcanic based attractions include:
Whakarewarewa, Waimangu, Waiotapu, Kuirau Park, Hells Gate Thermal Reserves
Rainbow Springs, Paradise Valley Springs, Hamurana and Golden Springs, Waikite Hot Pools and the Buried Village.
Mount Tarawera, Mount Ngongotaha and Rainbow Mountain.
The eleven major lakes:
Rotorua, Rotoiti, Rotoehu, Rotoma, Okataina, Okareka, Blue (Tikitapu), Green (Rotokakahi), Tarawera, Rotomahana, and Rerewhakaaitu; and a host of minor ones.
Rotorua is the heart of Maori Culture Rotorua is also one of the countries best fishing areas. It has been twice voted the most beautiful city in New Zealand (2000 & 2001).
My family used to visit Rotorua regularly when I was young. An uncle of mine owned a motel just out of Rotorua at Ngongataha. My earliest recollection of the area was the strong smell of sulphur, I used to walk around holding my nose for the first hour until I got used to it. It was was far stronger back then than it is today. The other thing I remember is of Whakarewarewa (Thermal Park) and of the young Maori boys jumping into the river to retrieve the coins visitors would throw... they still do that today.
More in my Travelogues
- Pros:Rich in Culture
- Cons:'Smelly'
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Rotorua Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "Rotorua"
- "Rotorua!"
- "Welcome to Roto-Vegas!"
- "Clean Steam - Smell Hell - Culture Capital"
- "Rotorua, main tourist attraction in North Island."
- "Maori Culture"
- "Rotorua: between sulphur smell and maori culture"
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Badges & Stats in Rotorua
- 24 Reviews
- 30 Photos
- 0 Forum posts
- 23 Comments
- 8,053PageViews
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National/State Park
Historical Travel
Museum VisitsLatest Rotorua hotel reviews
- Executive on Fenton
- 37 37 Reviews & 37 Opinions
Latest: Feb 16, 2012 - Heywoods Motor Lodge Rotorua
- 57 57 Reviews & 57 Opinions
Latest: Feb 18, 2012 - Best Western Braeside Garden Springs Lodge
- 117 117 Reviews & 117 Opinions
Latest: Jan 26, 2012 - Accolade Lodge Motel "Country Comfort" Rotorua
- 18 18 Reviews & 18 Opinions
Latest: Jan 31, 2012 - Treetops Lodge And Estate
- 59 59 Reviews & 59 Opinions
Latest: Feb 9, 2012 - Coachman Motor Inn
- 29 29 Reviews & 29 Opinions
Latest: Feb 20, 2012 - Sport of Kings Motel
- 143 143 Reviews & 143 Opinions
Latest: Feb 22, 2012 - Rose Court Motel
- 15 15 Reviews & 15 Opinions
Latest: Feb 16, 2012 - Fairy Springs Motor Lodge
- 25 25 Reviews & 25 Opinions
Latest: Jan 25, 2012 - Jack & Di's Lake View Accommodation
- 30 30 Reviews & 30 Opinions
Latest: Feb 8, 2012 - Resort Heritage Rotorua
- 56 56 Reviews & 56 Opinions
Latest: Feb 19, 2012 - Ace Motor Lodge
- 7 7 Reviews & 7 Opinions
Latest: Jun 5, 2011 - Accolades Boutique Hotel
- 14 14 Reviews & 14 Opinions
Latest: May 11, 2009 - Kingsgate Hotel Rotorua
- 97 97 Reviews & 97 Opinions
Latest: Feb 21, 2012
Comments (23)
The geysers and hot springs look impressive! Nice page and description of the Maori... Rotorua sounds like a great place
I did want to jump in the mud pools! It must be the rugger in me!
Wonderful insight into the Maori world ... this place looks quite unreal. Corn cooked in a steaming pool and the Maori Hangi sound simply divine.
Now I know why you adopt that name,..this primitive birds are so lovely. It is amazing to know they lay such a huge egg, relative to their body weight!Thanks for sharing.
Yep! that's it! I just can't see it all! But I had to ZORB! I'm sure I'll get back for a better look....
It is a great dish indeed! A cooking masterpiece! Greetings from the faraway Ukraine!
mmmm... this sounds delicious. Similar to the Hawaiian Imu. I am looking for info on Maori massage, any clues?
This is part of my dream trip, Kiwi! Thanks for the great pics!! -- Greg
The Kiwi House where you can really see a kiwi must be great. For almost 10 years I'm walking by the one in the Antwerp zoo and didn't even saw a glimpse. :-)
Geysers and peka's - a whole new vocabulary !
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