- New Zealand Travellers
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Abel Tasman
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Auckland
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Cape Reinga
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Christchurch
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Dunedin
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Franz Josef
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Greymouth
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Kaikoura
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Lake Tekapo
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Milford Sound
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Mount Maunganui
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Napier
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Nelson
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Paihia
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Queenstown
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Rotorua
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Taupo
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Wellington
Welcome to Sulphur City and all the smells that come with it. Rotorua is surrounded by geothermal activity which gives the area geysers and bubbling mud pools, these features also release hydrogen sulphide gas which has a very distinctive 'eggy' smell. This smell is not only confined to around the geothermal activity, it drifts throughout the whole town...as you will find out.
Around 160 years ago, the famous Pink and White Terraces were destroyed by a volcanic eruption, which almost put an end to the tourism in the area. Fortunately or some would say unfortunately, Rotorua remains an active geo-thermal area, which means that there is still quite a bit to see, including the famous Lady Knox geyser. It is set off regularly by the park rangers and there is a well build arena to make sure that no one misses the action.
Things to do
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Geothermal Attractions
Spas
Spas have been built next to the natural underground springs, these spas take the heated mineral water and pump it into their pools to provide customers with a relaxing mineral bathe. They also provide treatments which uses the (cooled) bubbling mud from naturally occurring mud-pools.
Polynesian Spa
Hells Gate/Wai Ora Spa
Local Mud-pools and Thermal Pools
In the nearby Kuirau Park, we were surprised to find a couple of small shelters which housed shallow (deep enough for you to dip your feet and ankles into) natural thermal pools. The pool was made out of concrete and the water was being pumped into it. These pools were free to use and are great if you don’t have the budget to go to a spa. The park also has some bubbling mud pools and even a steaming lake.
Geysers
One of the area's main attractions is the Lady Knox Geyser located in the Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland . It is artificially triggered to erupt each day at 10:15am. The Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland also has other attractions like mud-pools and walk trails through thermal areas. -
Maori Cultural Show
Rotorua is the hub for Maori cultural shows and if you can only see one, you should probably see one here. The city has a long Maori history and this really is embraced.
Tamaki Maori Village
Maiai Maori Village
Te Puia
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Gondola and Luge
Located at Mt. Ngongotaha near Rotorua, Skyline Skyrides has 3 luge tracks ranging from 1 to 2 kilometres and a 900 metre long gondola which gives you spectacular views of Rotorua. Beware, the luges are a lot faster than they look!
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White water Rafting
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Rotorua Museum
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Skydiving
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Zorbing
There's nothing like getting in touch with your animal side (you're inner hamster that is), by jumping into a ball and getting rolled down a hill. Strapped in or running - actuallly sliding around in water for most people is alot of fun. You can choose a straight course or a zigzag course. Either way, you bound to have a ball!
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Farming/Adrenalin Activities
While here we went to the Tamaki Maori cultural show and found it very enjoyable. The coach driver who picked us up was very funny and charismatic.
The highlight though (for most of the travellers there) was the meal at the end of the evening, which had been cooked in a traditional Maori way by burying it underground with
heated rocks. The Lamb was amazing (not surprising though since it was the first time we ate a proper roast dinner after about 11 months travelling)!
We also visited the luge and gondola. The Gondola up to the luge track gave us the opportunity to take some good photos of Rotorua from the air. The luge track itself was more fun than we had expected, and a lot faster!
We also took a stroll through Kuirau Park and found small thermal pools and bubbling mud pools, all accompanied by that familiar smell of course!
Only one of us was brave enough for the Zorbing, very exciting, confuses the senses but is well recommended. If the dry version is too scary (where you are strapped in), try the wet version (where you sit in the Zorb with water and slide down the hill).
Accommodation
We stayed at Treks Backpackers This is quite a new hostel and so felt very clean and fresh. Kitchen is huge and very clean. The toilets/showers are also large and clean. Rooms are a decent size and there are separate eating socialising and TV areas. Everything you want from a hostel. We would stay here again.