Rotorua
Nestled beside the cerulean blue Lake Rotorua, the township of Rotorua is home to one of the most unique tourism sites in the world. Aside from the breathtaking scenery of this volcanic-shaped wonderland, the 16 beautiful lakes in the region and the lush green of the abundant native flora, Rotorua is a geothermal paradise and the cultural heartland. Journey to the heartland of Maori culture, to the center of New Zealand's spectacular geothermal wonderland and discover the spirits of Rotorua. Located on a volcanic plateau which covers much of the Central North Island, Rotorua sits on an area that has been geologically exciting for millennia. See evidence of the awe-inspiring power of nature at its most temperamental at one of the geothermal parks within the Rotorua region. Geysers, hot mud pools and steaming craters are testament to the incredible earthen forces on display in this diversely beautiful location. Visit the geothermal areas in Rotorua for a truly magnificent display of the wonders of this region. Source: www.rotorua.nz.com
Nestled beside the cerulean blue Lake Rotorua, the township of Rotorua is home to one of the most unique tourism sites in the world. Aside from the breathtaking scenery of this volcanic-shaped wonderland, the 16 beautiful lakes in the region and the lush green of the abundant native flora, Rotorua is a geothermal paradise and the cultural heartland. Journey to the heartland of Maori culture, to the center of New Zealand's spectacular geothermal wonderland and discover the spirits of Rotorua. Located on a volcanic plateau which covers much of the Central North Island, Rotorua sits on an area that has been geologically exciting for millennia. See evidence of the awe-inspiring power of nature at its most temperamental at one of the geothermal parks within the Rotorua region. Geysers, hot mud pools and steaming craters are testament to the incredible earthen forces on display in this diversely beautiful location. Visit the geothermal areas in Rotorua for a truly magnificent display of the wonders of this region. Source: www.rotorua.nz.com
Ohinemutu Maori village
is a living village set on the picturesque shores of Lake Rotorua. Just 10 minutes’ walk from downtown Rotorua is the Māori village of Ohinemutu. This place is home to the Ngāti Whakaue tribe, a sub-tribe of the Te Arawa waka (canoe) which journeyed from the Pacific homeland of Hawaiiki to New Zealand around 1350AD. The location was chosen for its lakeside setting and abundant geothermal energy, used for cooking, bathing and heating. Ohinemutu became the main centre for the Rotorua region in the early 1870s. Visitors, including royalty, arrived at this bustling settlement before going on to visit the Pink and White terraces at Lake Tarawera, and to experience the healing waters of Rotorua. Today the village retains a sense of importance. The large meeting house provides the setting for many significant occasions for the people of this area. Ohinemutu is home to the Te Papaiouru Marae and the Tama-te-Kapua meeting house, named after the paramount chief and captain of the Te Arawa canoe. The carving on the large meeting house is exquisite and highlighted by hundreds of inlaid shiny paua shells. Source: www.newzealand.com
is a living village set on the picturesque shores of Lake Rotorua. Just 10 minutes’ walk from downtown Rotorua is the Māori village of Ohinemutu. This place is home to the Ngāti Whakaue tribe, a sub-tribe of the Te Arawa waka (canoe) which journeyed from the Pacific homeland of Hawaiiki to New Zealand around 1350AD. The location was chosen for its lakeside setting and abundant geothermal energy, used for cooking, bathing and heating. Ohinemutu became the main centre for the Rotorua region in the early 1870s. Visitors, including royalty, arrived at this bustling settlement before going on to visit the Pink and White terraces at Lake Tarawera, and to experience the healing waters of Rotorua. Today the village retains a sense of importance. The large meeting house provides the setting for many significant occasions for the people of this area. Ohinemutu is home to the Te Papaiouru Marae and the Tama-te-Kapua meeting house, named after the paramount chief and captain of the Te Arawa canoe. The carving on the large meeting house is exquisite and highlighted by hundreds of inlaid shiny paua shells. Source: www.newzealand.com
Maori Thermal Village of Whakarewarewa
one of the most fascinating Rotorua attractions to visit. Hot, hot springs, mud pools, a living village, food cooked in thermal waters. It is a village where the Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao people have lived for a few hundred years now, and that is the really cool thing about it. They LIVE here. What you see is the real deal. A cultural performance takes place twice a day and you can try your hand at weaving and also eating food straight out of the hot pools or stone ovens. Source: www.rotorua-travel-secrets.com
one of the most fascinating Rotorua attractions to visit. Hot, hot springs, mud pools, a living village, food cooked in thermal waters. It is a village where the Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao people have lived for a few hundred years now, and that is the really cool thing about it. They LIVE here. What you see is the real deal. A cultural performance takes place twice a day and you can try your hand at weaving and also eating food straight out of the hot pools or stone ovens. Source: www.rotorua-travel-secrets.com
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
New Zealand's most colourful geothermal attraction - just a short drive from either Rotorua or Taupo. An area in which the landscape has been sculptured by geothermal activity and where unique volcanic features can be viewed from well defined tracks. Named as "One of the 20 Most Surreal Places in the World" Thousands of years in the making, visitors can choose one or all of three walks which take between 30 and 75 minutes. Unique features include the world famous Champagne Pool naturally coloured springs, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace formations. The natural bush setting adds another dimension to the experience as does the Lady Knox Geyser which erupts daily at 10.15 am to heights of up to 20 meters. Lady Knox Geyser: a unique opportunity to see a geyser in eruption to heights of 10 to 20 metres. Mud Pool: this was the site of a large mud volcano which was destroyed through erosion in the 1920’s. It now represents one of the best opportunities to experience the unique character and sounds of erupting mud. Source: www.newzealand.com
New Zealand's most colourful geothermal attraction - just a short drive from either Rotorua or Taupo. An area in which the landscape has been sculptured by geothermal activity and where unique volcanic features can be viewed from well defined tracks. Named as "One of the 20 Most Surreal Places in the World" Thousands of years in the making, visitors can choose one or all of three walks which take between 30 and 75 minutes. Unique features include the world famous Champagne Pool naturally coloured springs, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace formations. The natural bush setting adds another dimension to the experience as does the Lady Knox Geyser which erupts daily at 10.15 am to heights of up to 20 meters. Lady Knox Geyser: a unique opportunity to see a geyser in eruption to heights of 10 to 20 metres. Mud Pool: this was the site of a large mud volcano which was destroyed through erosion in the 1920’s. It now represents one of the best opportunities to experience the unique character and sounds of erupting mud. Source: www.newzealand.com
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
is the world’s youngest geothermal system. In 1886 the Rotorua region was shaken by the eruption of Mt Tarawera forming the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. The eruption destroyed the surrounding area and opened the earth along a 17km rift, splitting Mt Tarawera in two. Lake Rotomahana exploded to 20 times its size, and the 7 craters formed that make up Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Within 15 years of the volcanic eruption, the hot springs of the Waimangu Geothermal System were established within the newly formed craters, making this the world's youngest geothermal eco-system. Plant life returned to the devastated land 30 years after the eruption. Waimangu is the only geothermal system in the world wholly created within written history, which can be pin-pointed to an exact time and event, created solely as a direct result of a volcanic eruption – the Tarawera Eruption of 10 June 1886. Waimangu is the only geothermal system in New Zealand where all surface features are contained within a single geological structure, the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley, that has not been altered or exploited by man, totally protected by the law. Waimangu Volcanic Valley is the site of the world's largest Crypto Geyser (geyser-like feature), Inferno Crater - Recorded geyser, Waimangu Geyser, played regularly between 1901 and 1904 - Hot Water Spring (in terms of surface area), Frying Pan Lake. Waimangu Volcanic Valley is home to the only example of New Zealand native forest naturally regenerating from complete devastation, several rare and unusual geothermally adopted plants, geysers and hot springs, a Scenic Reserve, owned by the people of New Zealand and administered on their behalf by the Department of Conservation, several geothermal silica terraces internationally classified as Category 1 importance, including Warbrick Terrace which is growing in a right-angle shape. Source: www.waimangu.co.nz
is the world’s youngest geothermal system. In 1886 the Rotorua region was shaken by the eruption of Mt Tarawera forming the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. The eruption destroyed the surrounding area and opened the earth along a 17km rift, splitting Mt Tarawera in two. Lake Rotomahana exploded to 20 times its size, and the 7 craters formed that make up Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Within 15 years of the volcanic eruption, the hot springs of the Waimangu Geothermal System were established within the newly formed craters, making this the world's youngest geothermal eco-system. Plant life returned to the devastated land 30 years after the eruption. Waimangu is the only geothermal system in the world wholly created within written history, which can be pin-pointed to an exact time and event, created solely as a direct result of a volcanic eruption – the Tarawera Eruption of 10 June 1886. Waimangu is the only geothermal system in New Zealand where all surface features are contained within a single geological structure, the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley, that has not been altered or exploited by man, totally protected by the law. Waimangu Volcanic Valley is the site of the world's largest Crypto Geyser (geyser-like feature), Inferno Crater - Recorded geyser, Waimangu Geyser, played regularly between 1901 and 1904 - Hot Water Spring (in terms of surface area), Frying Pan Lake. Waimangu Volcanic Valley is home to the only example of New Zealand native forest naturally regenerating from complete devastation, several rare and unusual geothermally adopted plants, geysers and hot springs, a Scenic Reserve, owned by the people of New Zealand and administered on their behalf by the Department of Conservation, several geothermal silica terraces internationally classified as Category 1 importance, including Warbrick Terrace which is growing in a right-angle shape. Source: www.waimangu.co.nz