Rotorua
A
Thermal Wonderland
What's On
in Rotorua
ROTORUA
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Adventure in Rotorua
Photos of Rotorua
Adventure
Photos of Rotorua
Sightseeing,
Tours, Attractions and Events in Rotorua
Hotels
and Accommodation in Rotorua
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a trip out to White Island
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a trip out to White Island with transfers from Rotorua
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a trip out to White Island with transfers from Tauranga
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a trip out to Moutohora Island Sanctuary
By
Richard Moore
For
one of the great and unusual travel treats then you should set aside
time to visit Rotorua and its thermal wonderland in the centre of
New Zealand's North Island.
Rotorua
is world-famous for its thermal activity, which includes boiling
mud pools and massive geysers, the buried village of Te
Wairoa, its Blue and Green Lakes, and being one of the heartlands
of the Maori
culture.
The
main thermal
areas in Rotorua are at Whakarewarewa, Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu and the aptly named Hell's Gate.
 They
are amazing places to visit and will show you just how exciting
and violent volcanic areas can be.
The Buried Village was wiped
out in 1886 by a massive eruption from Mt Tarawera that killed 153
people and covered the area in ash.
Today
it is a fascinating place to visit to see how village life was in
the 1880s.
To
get your bearings in Rotorua you can take the Rotorua
Duck tour in the comfort - well, almost - of a World War II
DUKW amphibious transport.
If
you are into fishing then Rotorua is also a place to head towards.
There
are fishing expeditions on the beautiful Blue
Lake and Green Lake and
if you would rather look than dangle a hook you can see the Rainbow
Springs and Rainbow Farm Show.
 At
the Agrodome in Rotorua you can
get up close and personal with New Zealand wildlife and see an hugely
entertaining show all about sheep, shearing them and the dogs that
are trained to muster them.
This
is a show that everyone seemed to enjoy and there are lots and lots
of laughs to be had for both children and adults alike. It's educational
too.
For
the more adventurous Rotorua offers a host of activities from jet
boat rides, Zorbing and OGO-ing - rolling down hills in
giant rubber balls - or see how you'd go skydiving in a powerful
jetstream of wind at Freefall Extreme.
For
some spectacular views of Rotorua go on a Skyline
Skyrides mountain-top gondola, or white-water rafting and four-wheel
driving.
Outside
Rotorua, at nearby Te Ngae, you can treat yourself to a huge 3D
Maze where you can find yourself happily getting un-lost for
a couple of hours.
 The
kids will love this but make sure you know where you are as there
is nothing more embarrassing than having a lost child ask where
to go next and you telling them you were just about to get them
to lead you out!
Also,
between Rotorua and Tauranga, there are the pleasant Okere
Falls and a little village that offers kayaking.
If you only have a short time in New Zealand then Rotorua offers
a marvelous glimpse at the life and culture of New Zealand.
Now
as you would expect an area so strong in thermal activity has, how
can we say it, a slight smell of sulphur and Rotorua is no exception.
The
strength of the smell varies but, worry not, if it does hit you
on the nose it doesn't take long for your senses to adjust so you
need not fear walking around with a handkerchief over your nose
for your entire stay!
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