Mystic and modern, multi-faceted and uniquely charming: that's Rotorua, one of the gems in New Zealand's crown jewels, welcoming visitors from all over the globe, all year round.
We're talking a substantial and up-to-date population centre here, right on the shores of the largest of a whole necklace of lakes to the east and south-east.
It's also right on top of and among one of the world's most accessible concentrations of geothermal wonders. That's why there's often a trace of sulphur in the air - you're close to the planetary fires within, and the heat displays itself in hot pools, steam vents, mud ponds that churn slowly with Earth's heat, warm spots in the cool lakes, geysers. You can experience it all.
As well, there's an astounding variety of other amusements and amazements in town, in the surrounding district and on the lakes. You could stay for a week or more and still not get around the lot. Plenty of shopping, too.
But here's the secret: Rotorua is not flamboyant or in-your-face about its attractions, so if you're a free independent traveller, you need to seek them out. Quite seriously, the Tourism Rotorua information centre is a good place to start. It's a very distinctive building near the lake end of Fenton St in the heart of Rotorua's shopping and restaurant district.
The information centre, open seven days a week, is pleasant and spacious, and the nice people there have a good handle on everything there is to do and see in town and the entire district around about.
Rotorua Information Centre, Fenton Street.
They'll help you find the geothermal displays, Maori cultural experiences, lake trips of many kinds including evening dinner cruises, horse treks and a variety of scenic trips by land, plus the famed agricultural showplace that features among other things, shearing displays and - you'll hardly believe it - performing sheep.
If you like, they will also point you to the local specialty known as Zorbing, which involves rolling down a local hill INSIDE a very large clear plastic ball. This is not quite as fearsome as you might think. It's such an unusual experience that some people find it a touch addictive, so they say.
The information centre will also help you find just the sort of accommodation you want, right across the range from backpacker beds to top luxury lodges.
The centre has a roomy and restful café, complete with half a dozen internet terminals, and there are toilet and shower facilities, baggage lockers, currency exchange service, card phones and a souvenir and gift shop that's well worth a look. Also, it has a New Zealand travel office for information and assistance about onward travel and accommodation, and there's even a small foot-dabbling pool with seating for footsore backpackers.
The Government's Department of Conservation has an office at the centre, too, to help with information about the many nature walks and hiking trails through hills and native forest in the area.
Tourism Rotorua also operates an unusually user-friendly website to give you a foretaste of all the attractions, accommodation and tour possibilities before you get there: rotoruanz.com. If you Google the words rotorua tourism, you'll usually get this site at the top, plus any number of other sites that focus on the numerous and varied aspects of Rotorua the town, Lake Rotorua itself and on who knows how many features and attractions of the whole district.
The many facets of Rotorua
Pick 'n mix for visitors from all over the world:
For perhaps 100 years from the late 19th Century, Rotorua was a top travel destination because of its geothermal marvels and because of the trout fishing available in the regions many lakes.
But it has all grown onwards from there, and has developed to include one of the most impressive mix of leisure activities in the whole South Pacific, all within easy reach.
There's no doubt you could spend a week or more in Rotorua and do something different every day, as well as eating at a different place for every lunch or dinner while you're there. There is an enormous choice right across the price/style spectrum, complete with McDonald's, all sorts of café and coffee bar selections and a wide range of world-class restaurants and hotel dining. Walk around town and take your pick, or get advice from the information centre.
Golf
Government Gardens (9-hole on lake edge, close to town centre.)
Lakeview (18-hole, highly scenic location.)
Rotorua, (full 18-hole course, plus 9-hole thermal course.)
Springfield (full 18-hole, close to town centre.)
(Check nzgolf.net for more information.)
Adventure/Scenic
In this part of the world, adventure activities and scenery go hand-in-hand. Think top-power jet-boating, scenic flights by floatplane or helicopter, tandem skydiving, mountain biking, safari trips, cruise trips on the lakes, horse treks, even a tour across land and lakes in an unusual amphibious vehicle.
There's bungy-jumping for the thrill-seeker, and also the Swoop, which is designed for thrills a little less extreme than the bungy. Elsewhere, you can try off-road driving.
A little way from the town centre, on the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha, there's a completely modern gondola cablecar system leading to restaurant and café with awesome high-level views of the entire Rotorua area - town, lakes and forest scenery.
Don't forget Zorbing.
Off down the hill. The vague shape 'inside'
is the passenger. Inset: sliding out, water
and all at the landing pad.
Happy travellers leave the landing pad. Inset:
dripping wet and shrieking with laughter.
There's even a place a bit out of town where you can try knife and axe throwing and pistol shooting, along with other action stuff.
Culture/History
The Rotorua Museum is the heart of historical
and cultural exhibits and information going
back several hundred years. This includes
both Maori and European cultural collections
and fine arts.
You can find out how the region's extraordinary geothermal nature came about, plus pictures and descriptions of the eruption of Mt Tarawera is 1886.
Hot Pool/Spa
With all the geothermal heat around, warm pools and hot spa baths and suchlike have been an attraction in the area for a long time. Great for relaxation, naturally, and even used therapeutically at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for problems such as arthritis.
Dining
It's simple, really. The fact is that Rotorua is so popular with world travellers that its standards of cuisine, catering and café culture have multiplied and diversified to meet the demands of international visitors from jetsetter to backpacker.
Your biggest problem is to decide which one to go to. But a substantial portion of the town centre is devoted to food and drink services in wide variety. You won't be disappointed.
Geothermal
There's a lot of it. Whakarewarewa Village on the southern side of town is traditionally the place to see it in action. It's been inhabited by the Te Arawa people for hundreds of years because of the heat for bathing and cooking. It's still a real village with real people living there. Tours through the hot pools, boiling lake, strange hot mud pools, silica formations and so on are managed by the Te Puia organisation, which also handles visits to the famed Pohutu geyser, the Carving Institute, plus a range of traditional cultural entertainments and food cooked hangi style, the traditional earthen oven of the Maori.
Accommodation
Hotels, motels, lodges, homestays, farmstays, hostels, B&B accommodation and pretty well everything you might want, in a broad price range. If you're a roaming free traveller, your chances of finding somewhere to stay in or near Rotorua at short notice are usually pretty good. But if you prefer the security of booking ahead, your travel agent or the Tourism Rotorua Information Office will be able to sort it out for you.
The website rotoruanz.com has a click-through ``I Site'' to guide you with contacts and booking service.
Trails - hiking and biking. Get the full story - and it's quite a story - from the Information Office and the associated Department of Conservation office in the same building.
Free and low-cost stuff
You don't necessarily have to spend a lot of money to enjoy your time in Rotorua and its scenic surroundings. Just driving through the incredibly beautiful lake, forest and mountain region east of the main lake can give you a memorable day, especially if you are keen on photography. Email a picture or two back to the envious folks back home.
Also, just strolling around on foot can be a relaxed way of taking in the sights.. You'll see something of the area's geothermal nature at Kuirau Park, and the Information Office will advise you on town and/or country walking trails in and around Rotorua.
You can drive south to huge Lake Taupo and its associated town as a day trip, too. It's only an hour or so away, an easy trip with plenty to see along the way.
The Rotorua Aquatic Centre offers a low-cost selection of swimming pools, spa facilities and other features.
