Rotorua and Lake Taupo
This has been New Zealand’s original draw card for more than 100 years, and for good reason. A steaming hissing landscape, gushing geysers and therapeutic mineral hot pools have created a geo-thermal epicentre. Woven around the natural wonders are the spine chilling Maori myths and legends – told and re-told by new generations of Maori to awe-struck visitors. From the carving and weaving studios where traditions are preciously handed down, to the detailed re-creation of an authentic Maori Village, Rotorua offers a more tangible experience of Maori culture than anywhere else in the country. With the ever present scent of sulphur in the nose, the suppressed geo-thermal energy beneath the feet and the views of lakes, rivers and forests to arrest the eye, this is an exceptionally sensory experience.
Lake Taupo, one of the world’s largest volcanoes, is the centrepiece of New Zealand’s volcanic heartland. At 616 square kms, Lake Taupo is also the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, with water so clean a few zillion trout call it home. Just about all year round, water activities abound – water skiing, para-sailing, jetskiing, fishing, cruising, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, sailing and floatplane landings. 47 rivers and streams feed into the Lake and just one goes out, the Waikato River, New Zealand’s longest river. At its world famous Huka Falls, you can witness more than 220 cubic meters of water thundering over the cliff face every second. Geothermal activity means hot springs to soothe travel weary bones – warm water even bubbles to the surface at the lake’s edge. For steaming vents and spluttering mud pools, take a stroll through Wairakei Park, or the evocatively named Craters of the Moon.
Highlights:
· Scale Mount Tarawera by 4x4 and hear tales of the destructive 1886 eruption.
· Visit the Museum – and learn of the ‘original’ tourist attraction – the Pink and White Terraces
· Soothe weary limbs in the natural hot pools
· Visit the geo-thermal parks of Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu Valley, Hells Gate and more
· Visit Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre, and home of the Whakawerawera Thermal Reserve
· Visit the Buried Village
· Sail, kayak or cruise on Lake Taupo, a volcanic crater as big as Singapore
· Maori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay, only visible from the water
· Mount Tauhara, well worth the 3 hour round trip walk with fine views
· Wairakei Park and the Craters of the Moon volcanic Reserve
· Orakei Corako Thermal Park with the Ruatapu Cave and Pool of Mirrors
· The superb Wairakei International Golf Course – book ahead
· Jet boat up the Huka Falls and Aratiatia rapids through a jagged gorge
· Tandem skydive over Lake Taupo – exhilarating!!
· Turangi, a trout fishing mecca
