Museum of Art and History, Rotorua, as seen from Government Gardens Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abaconda_rotorua.jpg Author: QFSE Media
Rotorua (Maori: Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe) is a tourist destination in North Island, New Zealand. It is located on the southern shores of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region. The city covers 2,619 sq km (1,009 sq mi) and has a population of 69,000 people (2011 estimate). It is located 230 km (140 mi) to the southeast of Auckland.
Rotorua is best known for its geysers and hot mud pools, the result of thermal activity from the Rotorua caldera. These geothermal activity is the main attraction for tourists visiting the area. Due to the rotten egg smell from these pools, Rotorua is often called Sulphur City. The region also has 17 lakes, many of which are ideal for water sports, fishing and swimming.
The warmest months in Rotorua are January and February, when the average high temperature rises to 23°C (73°F). July is the coldest month. That's when the temperature drops to an average low of 3.1°C (37.6°F). August is the wettest month, receiving 148 mm (5.83 in) of precipitation.
Prince of Wales Hotspring, Rotorua Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rotorua_PoW.jpg Author: Valley2city
The Rotorua area was originally the homeland of Maori people of the Te Arawa tribe. The first European to arrive there was likely to be Phillip Tapsell in 1828. Later on missionaries also came to the area, establishing a mission at Te Koutu in 1835. Rotorua's potential as a spa destination was recognized as early as the 1880s. Today Rotorua is one of the major tourist destinations of North Island.
Visiting Rotorua
You can reach Rotorua by bus from most major towns and cities on the North Island. It is about three hours from Auckland by car.
Government Gardens A formal garden forming the front compound of the Rotorua Museum of Art and History.
Kuirau Park Thermal park with boiling mud pools, steam vents and small geysers.
Polynesian Spa Thermal spa with underground spring waters. There are different pools for adults as well as children. Private pools are also available where users can regulate the water temperature.
Rotorua Museum of Art and History Housed in a majestic Tudor-style building, this museum was originally the Great Spa of the South Pacific, opened in 1908. Today, as a museum it exhibits Maori artifacts such as the bargeboards from Rotoiti's Houmaitawhiti meeting house. and figurines of Maori deities.
St Faith's Anglican Church Completed in 1910 in the timber-framed Tudor style, this is the second church to be built in the Maori village of Ohinemutu.
Tamatekapua A traditional Maori meeting house of the Te Arawa tribe built in 1873.
The Blue Baths Thermal baths built in the 1930s, when New Zealand harbored ambitions to be a premier spa destination.
Geyser in Rotorua Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TePuia.1.JPG Author: FRED
Sights & Attractions in Greater Rotorua
Agrodome and Agroventures Family-run farm visit, allowing visitors an opportunity to view life on the farm. The farm also offers adventure activities such as bungy-jumping, jet boating and zorbing (rolling downhill in a plastic ball).
Blue and Green Lakes Lakes named after their color, separated by an isthmus, enabling you to compare their different hues.
Buried Village Remains of the village of Te Wairoa which was destroyed in the eruption of the Mount Tarawera volcano in 1886. Today an interactive museum has been set up in the area to explain on volcanic activities.
Hell's Gate Thermal valley volatile with volcanic activities and rising fumes. The site has the largest hot waterfall in the southern hemisphere as well as the largest boiling whirlpool in the country.
Lake Rotorua This is the biggest lake in the Rotorua region. It is a popular venue for fishing and water sports.
Rainbow Springs Springs with crystal-clear waters teeming with a wide variety of trouts.
Skyline Skyrides Gondola ride to the lookout point on Mount Ngongotaha. The Skyline lookout offers panoramic views of the Rotorua countryside.
Tamaki Maori Village The place to learn about Maori customs and culture, this is a sort of living museum recreating a Maori village before the arrival of Europeans.
Whakarewarewa Forest Park Forest land next to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Area. It has hiking and biking trails and picnic area.
Whakarewarewa Thermal Area This is the large geothermal area on the southern end of Rotorua. It has a number of attractions including the Te Aronui-a-Rua Meeting House, a carving school, the Pohutu Geyser, Puarenga Steam, Wahiao Meeting House, weaving house, a silica basin called The Brainpot, and Leaping Frog Mud Pool, among others.
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Museum of Art and History, Rotorua, as seen from Government Gardens
Prince of Wales Hotspring, Rotorua
Maori welcome, Rotorua
Geyser in Rotorua
