Rotorua

TheWaimangu Volcanic Valley is a protected, hydrothermal system on the North Island of New Zealand that is home to the world's largest hot spring in lush natural surroundings. Formed in 1886 by the volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera, the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley was so named for the black water that was thrown up by the Waimangu Geyser (Waimangu means black water in the Maori-language). The valley features several natural attractions, including Lake Rotomahana, the Waimangu Geyser, Frying Pan Lake, the largest hot spring in the world, and the steaming and spectacularly pale blue Inferno Crater Lake. The world’s youngest geothermal valley is home to a rare ecosystem that is packed with a diverse variety of fauna and flora and can be explored on a range of guided tours.

587 Waimangu Road, Rotorua 3043, New Zealand, Phone: +64-73-66-61-37

Wai-O-Tapu, also spelled Waiotapu, is an active geothermal area in New Zealand's Taupo Volcanic Zone. Situated just north of the Reporoa caldera at the southern end of the Okataina Volcanic Centre, the whimsically named Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is a series of brightly colored geothermal pools, explosive geysers, and smelly sulfur mud baths. The otherworldly geothermal park is a must-see attraction and sees visitors flocking to the park to experience the natural phenomena along with the active Lady Knox Geyser, the Devil’s Bathtub, and the Champagne Pool. A modern visitor’s center offers a wealth of information on the park, as well as well-signed pathways for visitors to follow at their own pace.

Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland, 201 Waiotapu Loop Road, Rotorua 3073, New Zealand, Phone: +64-73-66-63-33

Whakarewarewa, The Living Maori Village is the home of the local Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao people and offers visitors the opportunity to experience their traditional and unique way of life. The popular cultural attraction has been attracting visitors for over 200 years with a variety of Maori dance performances and a traditional cultural feast. Surrounded by the spectacular beauty of the natural geothermal landscape of the valley, the Living Whakarewarewa Maori Village was established to preserve and honor the rich and diverse culture and heritage of the Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao people.

17 Tryon Street, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand, Phone: +64-73-49-34-63

Lake Rotorua is a 49-mile, 10-meter deep lake in the Bay of Plenty region and the second largest lake on the North Island. Named Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe (aka ‘the large lake of Kahumatamomoe’), the now tranquil lake has a violent history with massive volcanic eruptions around 200,000 years ago and continuing geothermal activity in and around the lake today. The high sulfur content of the water results in a magical green-blue coloration and is the setting for the famous love story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai. The island of Mokoia sits in the center of the lake and is a sanctuary to endangered birds and wildlife.

Rotorua District, Bay of Plenty Region, North Island

Mokoia Island is an island that lies in the middle of Lake Rotorua and is a sanctuary to endangered birds and wildlife. The 1.35-square-kilometer uninhabited island rises to 180 meters above the lake surface and is a rhyolite lava dome that was formed over 200,000 years ago and rhyolitic magma was pushed through the crack. The island is a protected home for many of New Zealand’s endangered wildlife and rare birds and is a popular gathering spot for private functions, weddings, team-building exercises, and school field trips.

Rotorua District, Bay of Plenty Region, North Island

The Sulfur Bay Wildlife Refuge is a 145-hectare section of water in the south-eastern corner of Lake Rotorua known as Sulphur Bay and comprises a wildlife refuge and sanctuary that is home to a wealth of local and rare bird species including the nationally threatened New Zealand dabchicks, black-billed gulls, and banded dotterels. The Purenga stream flows into the bay, which stretches from Motutara Point to Ngapuna and creates geothermal features such as natural hot water and steam and boiling mud pools. It also makes the water appear murky due to sulfur suspensions and causes high acidity, sometimes damaging the feet of the birds.

Bay of Plenty, Rotorua

The Government Gardens is a public park on the shores of Lake Rotorua in downtown Rotorua. Built by the government as a tourist attraction and partly laid out as beautifully manicured gardens, the historic gardens surround a Tudor-style spa bathhouse and a gorgeous Mediterranean-style public swimming pool and are one of New Zealand’s top tourist attractions. Known initially as Paepaekumana, the Government Gardens were the site where many significant battles took place in the late 1800s and are a historically essential and legendary site to local Maori people. The Elizabethan Tudor-style bathhouses a world-class museum and an award-winning exhibition on baths and the geothermal pools that feed them.

9 Queens Drive, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand

The Redwoods Treewalk is a popular recreational walk through the magnificent 115-year-old Redwood Forest. Located a short drive from downtown Rotorua, the 700-meter-long ecological walk is an award-winning tourist attraction that rests 20 meters above the forest floor and features 28 suspension bridges connecting 27 ancient Redwood trees, offering visitors the opportunity to see and experience nature at its best. The walkway features a uniquely constructed New Zealand-first technologically designed sling suspended from the Redwood trees that was specifically designed and built to preserve the trees, plants, and the surrounding natural environment. Informative storyboards along the walk educate visitors about the local fauna and flora.

Long Mile Road, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand, Phone: +64-2-75-36-10-10

Established in 2011 to provide the best white water rafting in New Zealand, Rotorua Rafting offers spectacular white-water rafting adventures on the world-famous Kaituna River. Home to several magnificent waterfalls, including Okere Falls, Kaituna Falls, and the world-renowned Tutea Falls, which is the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, the Kaituna River is a short drive from Rotorua and promises an adrenaline-rushing experience. Rafting trips are guided by certified river instructors with internationally recognized qualifications and cater to all skill levels of paddlers. All safety equipment is provided.

White Water Rafting at the Kaituna River, 761 State Highway 33, Okere Falls 3074, New Zealand

Te Ara Ahi - The Thermal by Bike Trail is a guided bike trail that visits ancient Maori cultural sites, hot springs and geothermal wonderlands, along with other must-see attractions. Dubbed Thermal by Bike, the bike ride begins near Rotorua’s lakefront and comprises three continuous sections ranging from easy to intermediate, passing four geothermal areas, historical Maori cultural sites, beautiful lake and mountain views, and plenty of cafés for water breaks. Adventurers can also take a detour and explore Rotorua’s world-famous Redwoods Mountain Bike Park.