New Zealand Things to Do Tips by bryINpoland

Inferno Crater in Waimangu Volcanic Valley, is a must see if exploring the thermal areas surrounding Rotorua. The water has an average temperature of 80C (176F) and rises and falls 26 feet over a 38 day cycle. Inferno Crater is a 45 minute walk along the Waimangu Valley trail, and its pale blue color makes for amazing photos.

Interesting Facts:

*Inferno Crater was formed in 1886 from a thermal explosion in the side of Mt. Hazard.

*Inferno Crater is the largest geyser like feature in the world, though its ativity can not be seen since it takes place on the botttom of its surface.

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Frying Pan Lake is located in Waimangu Volcanic Valley. It is the largest hot springs in the world, averaging a temperature of 55C (131F). The lake was formed in 1917 when an eruption in Echo Crater blasted into the sky kiling two vistors. The now enlarged crater soon filled with water to create what it is today.

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Mt. Hutt stands 6,808 ft above the Canerbury plains just 90 minutes from Christchurch. The massive Mt. Hutt is home to Christchurchs nearest ski field and has the longest ski season within the country.

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Mt. Taranaki or also known as Mt. Egmont, stands 2518 metres high on the West coast of the North Island. This famous ash cone volcano was most recently used as the back drop in the movie "The Last Samurai" because of its resemblance to Mount Fuji.

Though Mt. Taranaki is not a very difficult mountain to climb, it holds the highest annual fatalities rank of any other mountain in New Zealand because of its extreme weather changes.

Definitly worth a visit while on the North Island.

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Tauranga is Bay of Plenty’s largest town and the fatest growing city in New Zealand. Each year more and more people flock to Tauranga to take advantage of it’s pleasant year round weather, the result being booming business for the local merchants. Tauranga is also now the last or first stop for cruise ships coming in and out of Auckland, bringing millions of dollars to the area a week. Tauranga is often the staging point for tours down to Rotorua, being that the stinky town is less then an hours drive South.

Tauranga is the perfect place to plant yourself if looking to explore the Bay of Plenty. From here most attractions are within a few hours drive. There is great nightlife located along the ever more popular “Strand” and there is no shortage of accommodation

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A visit to Tauranga would not be complete with out a visit to Mount Maunganui. The climb up Mount Maunganui takes about 15-45 minutes depending on how good of shape you are in or how often you stop for pictures. (Our climb up took about 45 minutes, I took a lot of photos)

From up top “The Mount” you can get some great views of the Bay of Plenty coastline and the Tauranga Harbour.

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Opotiki is a sleepy town known as the “Gateway to the East Cape”. The town makes for a great place to stock up on supplies and maybe even stay for a night before driving the East Cape. Though there is not much to see in the small town (Besides my girlfriends family), the area is rich with Moari culture and history. Along the main drag Church St. you can find some great shops and the Church of St. Stephen the Martyr, where in 1865 Reverend Carl Volkner was murdered and you can still see the blood stains near the pulpit.

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