Rotorua

The Rotorua district in Northland is located on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty. Out of total population of Rotorua, majority of them are Maoris. Rotorua is the popular tourist destination; it has been welcoming visitors for more than 200 years now. Rotorua is the heart of New Zealand Maori culture; visitors can experience the warmth and hospitality of Te Maori.

Rotorua is gaining popularity as the ‘Nature Spa of the South Pacific’. The geothermal hot springs have therapeutic effect in them. A dip in the healing water can relax you after a strenuous day or sight seeing activity. Many tourists frequented Rotorua only to relax and enjoy in the healing water. Also Rotorua offers selection of therapeutic spa and massage therapies.

Another prime attraction of the Rotorua region is the trout fishing spots found everywhere. You need not to be an expert to catch a trout in Rotorua, you are practically guaranteed, especially if you have hired a professional guide. Tourists feel fascinated to see the trout leaping the little falls of lake and coming up to the springs or returning to the lake. Some of the volcanic crater lakes are home to trophy sized rainbow colored trout.

The scent of sulphur is characteristics to Rotorua. Silica terraces are decorated naturally with amalgamation of different colors. Rotorua is the oldest resort and center of geothermal activity in New Zealand. The geothermal hotspots in Rotorua have spurting geysers, boiling mud pools and warm geothermal springs.

The Maori population unlike popular belief lives mostly in urban areas. There are around 35 marae (a Maori word for meeting place) in Rotorua district. Experience the world of its own and stay in a marae, it is truly an unforgettable experience. You can be the part of the Maori cultural performance, take keepsake photographs of stories narrated through song and dance routine by the native Maori performers.  Tourists often relish ‘hangi feas’, the traditional Maori food cooked in the earthen ovens below the ground.

Mount Tarawera is an important mountain of Rotorua region. It is considered sacred and comes under the jurisdiction of Ngati Rangitihi, a Maori tribe. Earlier in the 1800s, Tarawera region was the main center of tourism in New Zealand. People used to travel from all across the world to witness the famous Pink and White Silica Terraces here. The White and Pink Silica Terraces had gained popularity as the ‘Eight Wonder of the World’. The terrace no longer exists, but there is a multitude of activities like hiking, 4WD trip, helicopter ride that you can enjoy instead.