Sitting on the shores of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is known as the thermal haven of New Zealand, with geysers and hot springs attracting tourists for over a century. Aside from geothermal wonders, this town also offers more casual water activities, such as boating, fishing, white water rafting and many others. Tourism is a major industry in Rotorua, which means that it would be a great destination for your next sightseeing holiday.
Sightseeing destinations in Rotorua
This lively town is a good base for viewing the volcanic landscapes of New Zealand, with steaming, seething geysers and mud pools. The geothermal activity here has created scenery of bubbling ponds and beautifully colored silica terraces, which are contrasted with lakes and large tracts of native forest. It is also one of the best places in the country to see traditional Maori performances and delve into the local tribes’ history and heritage. From here, you will also have easy access to two of the country’s most popular tourist attractions—the glowworm caves of Waitomo and the movie set of Hobbiton.
Top tour activities in Rotorua
The town offers a lot of things to do that you may not find elsewhere. Make sure you experience the following on your trip.
- Engage in some outdoor activities - Take in some of the many day-time activities in Rotorua, such as land-sledding, heli-touring and hiking through the parks situated along thermal vents. Its forest has been developed to offer world-class mountain biking opportunities. If you are looking for more adrenaline-pumping activities, then you can also engage in some zorbing, white water rafting, rock-climbing and sledging.
- Play some golf - Though you can play golf in other places on the planet, doing it in this town is somehow unique as you will be playing on a field among the mud pools, which you should avoid.
- Enjoy the hot pools - You can access popular hot pools in Rotorua, such as the Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools, by boat or canoe, which is also a unique experience off the beaten track. Soak in any of the several pools sourced from natural hot springs, each having different temperatures, then you can jump in the lake to cool it off.
Top tour attractions in Rotorua
As the busiest tourist center in New Zealand, there are many attractions in Rotorua, ranging from the free one to those that are quite expensive.
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley - This place is one of the most popular places to see the steaming silica terraces and the seething mud. Via a series of walkways, you will be guided to view the smoke-filled craters and the terraces safely, with the Inferno Crater as highlight.
- Rotorua Museum - This museum is housed in the ornate Tudor-style Old Bath House amid the tranquil Government Gardens. Its exhibitions tell the story of the town’s cultural history from the pre-European era to the present.
- Te Wairoa - Established by a Christian missionary in 1852, Te Wairoa was planned as a model Maori village, which catered for travelers arriving to see the famous colored terraces.
Rotorua sightseeing tours and activities
It would be fantastic to see all the things the town has to offer, so check out all Rotorua sightseeing tours and activities here at La Vacanza Travel.