Rotorua Things to Do Tips by M0B1US

South of Rotorua on the road to Taupo and famous for the Lady Knox Geyser, the only geyser in the region that can be relied on to erupt at the same time each day (10.15am) to heights of up to 21 metres.

Meaning 'Sacred Waters' in Maori, Wai-O-Tapu is known as New Zealand's most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing experience, with a wide range of other attractions such as Mud pools, Mineral terraces, Colourful hot and cold pools and Steaming Volcanic Lakes. All within an easy walk of each other through forested terrain.

At first the price (NZD $16.50 for Adults) seems a bit steep, but for that you get easily a couple of hours to stroll around in awe of these natural wonders complete with information on how they were formed.

After you pass the visitor centre (cafe, shop, toilets etc) you cross a seemingly ordinary stream into the park - except that on closer inspection it is actually steaming!

Major sights include (Check out the great website for a full description of each attraction!):

Well over a dozen huge Volcanic Craters.

An 'Artist´s Palette' of hot and cold pools, steaming fumaroles and boiling mud in a kaleidoscopic variety of everchanging colours.

Primrose Terraces of over a hectare of naturally tinted and remarkably formed terraces which are the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Spectacular pools of bubbling and boiling mud.

The stunning Champagne Pool. Unique in the world, this is a huge pool of bubbling and hissing jade coloured water, with a beautiful ochre-coloured petrified edge. My absolute favourite!!!

Bridal Veil Falls. A cascade of mineral water over a terraced silica formation of changing hues from glistening white and lemon to an emerald green.

There are also many panoramic views on this sacred Maori site including alum cliffs, a frying pan flat and vistas of lakes, and mountains in the distance.

If you have time for just one thermal attraction in Rotorua - it has to be here! Chances are that you may have to drive past it anyway!

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Phone: 07 366 6333
Address: Wai-O-Tapu Loop Road, PO Box 1992
Directions: On SH5. 53km N of Taupo on the right. 27km S of Rotorua on the left. Look for Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland signpost.
Website: http://www.geyserland.co.nz/map-body.htm
Other Contact: Opening hours 8.30am-5pm daily.

Only in New Zealand would you have a Show like this!

Still feeling wobblyfrom the Zorbing we were determined to get here before the bus tours and managed to bag ourselves a couple of front row seats.

What followed was a surreal experience as sheep 'models' were led down a catwalk to stand on a huge podium. Each sheep was a champion ram, representing the nineteen different breeds that make up the huge NZ flocks.

Once this impressive array of sheepdom was settled in place, we were treated to a display of sheep shearing by a top shearer on an unsuspecting victim that was herded onto the stage. It happened so fast that the poor animal was left looking rather 'sheepish' being suddenly naked - we suspected its name was Shawn...

Next came the demonstration by Huntaway dogs showing their skills at herding the sheep around the stage and various obstacles. Another dog herded ducks, and there was also a Dog Trial involving a "Strong Eye" dog, which basically moves sheep round by staring them down!

At the end there was an opportunity to hand feed baby lambs on stage, and being in the front row I was duly volunteered! Why does this always happen to me!!?

Still it was great fun and was a good photo opportunity!

There's plenty of other things to see and do around the agrodome, as it is a working farm with over 1,000 animals including pot-bellied pigs and alpacas!

There is also a woolen mill and shop which shows how the wool goes from the sheep and is spun into yarn.

Shear Trivia...

*A sheep shearer shears about 400 sheep per day - 300,000 over a lifetime.

*World Record: 720 sheep sheared in 9 hours, 1 sheep sheared in 38 seconds, 839 lambs sheared in 9 hours, 1 lamb sheared in 19.8 seconds. David Fagan has held the record 13 times.

*Gangs of shearers move from farm to farm. They average 6 shearers who shear the sheep, 4 who handle the wool, and 2 pressers who press the wool into bales and prepare the meals.

*The skin of a sheep doubles its thickness within 24 hours of being sheared.

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Phone: +64-7-357 4350
Address: Western Road, Ngongotaha, PO Box 634, Rotorua
Directions: Take the Auckland road from Rotorua past Mt Ngongotaha and it's on your right.
Website: www.agrodome.co.nz/

If after feasting your eyes on 19 different breeds of sheep you find you still can't get enough of the furry creatures - Agrodome also runs an educational, hands-on experience where you can get up close and personal with all of the farm's inhabitants on 160 hectares.

The tours start at 10:40am, 12:10 pm, 1:30 pm and 3:40 pm daily and last for about 45 minutes as you are taken around on a giant tractor with passenger trailer to see and feed all the animals including exotic cows bred especially for the Japanese steak market (this is a working farm you know!), Alpacas, Deer and Pot-Bellied Pigs.

At one point the tractor stops and you get to feed all the animals and boy are they eager to be fed!

On the return leg you also visit a Kiwi orchard where you are given a history on the plant and the interesting fact that it actually has 'male' and 'female' trees planted at a ratio of 1:10 to ensure fertilisation. As well as eating Kiwis you are also treated to a Kiwifruit wine tasting - which was very nice indeed!

There are also olive, mandarin and fejoia orchards on the farm as well.

This is an interesting outing for adults and a brilliant day out for the kids!

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Phone: 07 - 357 1050
Address: Western Rd, Ngongotaha.
Directions: On the main road to Auckland, just out of town.
Website: http://www.agrodome.co.nz

Whakarewarewa is the most accessible of the thermal parks as it is situated right in the suburbs of Rotorua itself. Whilst not as conventionally spectacular as, say, Wai-O-Tapu, Whakarewarewa is a more rounded attraction encompassing not just the thermal areas it contains but also focussing strongly on Maori culture.

There is a small 'village' of Maori buildings, including a Marae and houses devoted to Maori Arts and Culture. Every day there are exhibitions and dances depicting various things from the culture and these are an opportunity to understand this great and proud culture and their legends.

Other things that can be visited include a full size Maori canoe and an impressive workshop and gallery where you can watch Maori artisans hard at work creating pieces of art with centuries old skills, these you can buy in the shop afterwards as a keepsake of your visit.

The area covered by the park is quite large and a road-train is provided to get you to the good bits without too much walking. Probably the best sights are 'Pohutu' and 'The Prince of Wales Feathers' geysers, as well as an impressive silica terrace and boiling mud pools.

There is plenty here to keep all the family amused!

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Phone: +64 (0)7 349-3463
Address: Tyron St, Rotorua.
Directions: Off Fenton St, into Sala St, then Tryon St.
Website: http://www.whakarewarewa.com