Surrounded by 11 great lakes, the town of Rotorua is nestled on the shores of the largest of them, Lake Rotorua. The amazing lakes were formed thousands of years ago as a result of volcanic activity. The extraordinary nature of these places fascinates with its pristine beauty: huge tropical forests, cozy valleys, smoking volcanoes, boiling mud lakes, hot and mineral springs, clear waters of rivers and lakes and majestic mountains towering above the town surround guests with the unparalleled grandeur of New Zealand nature, inviting them into the fairy-tale world of Rotorua. The resort is not only rich in exceptional landscapes and healing springs. Rotorua is considered the center of Maori traditions, and today it combines New Zealand’s history and daily life, the rich heritage of Maori civilization and the country’s modern culture, beautiful mythology and modern technological delights into a unique whole. So on your journey, you’re sure to hear mysterious legends of ghostly ships gliding across lakes in a light haze or lovers meeting in underground grottoes.
Smoky sizzling landscapes, complemented by gushing geysers, greet the many visitors who come to this unique resort town for a new vivid experience. Every day is fresh and offers travelers something unusual, hitherto unexplored. It is not surprising, because it was in Rotorua, a small settlement lying in the central part of the North Island, 3 hours from Auckland, more than 100 years ago New Zealand tourism was born. Back then, the town was famous for its beautiful pink and white terraces, formed by volcanic activity on the shores of Lake Rotomaha. Although in 1886 this unparalleled creation of nature was destroyed during the eruption of the Tarauer volcano, the town still remains an attraction for many tourists. Solemn Tudor-style architecture, fashionable hotels, luxurious restaurants and bars, stylish cafes and expensive stores, parks and gardens form an important part of the city, complementing Rotorua’s exceptional scenery, rich entertainment and countless spas.
Today, the resort can offer guests numerous attractions and activities to suit all tastes that will fill your stay in this welcoming city with vibrant experiences. A feeling of amazing freedom will give guests a beautiful lake, mighty streams, steaming waterfalls and a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area. A bright palette of colors and a bubbling mud pool welcome guests to the magical thermal country of Wai-O-Tapu, where the Lady Knox geyser plays every day. Another extraordinary thermal park, Hell’s Gate or ‘Hell’s Gate’, is home to the only hot waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere and a huge spa complex specializing in Maori massage and mud baths. Natural geothermal complexes located throughout the city offer a variety of health and wellness programs based on hot springs and mineral waters. Undiscovered wooded slopes, fish-rich rivers and lakes, and captivating valleys make this region attractive to lovers of mountain hiking, hunting, and fishing. Finally, inquisitive minds will be delighted to learn about traditional Maori culture and compare what they see with Jules Verne’s glittering descriptions of the land.
Just outside the center of Rotorua on the banks of the Puarenga River in the Whakarewarewa Geyser Valley Thermal Reserve is the main attraction Tamaki Maori Village, a protected Maori settlement that preserves a patriarchal way of life. Amidst boiling mud lakes, geysers, roaring hot springs and tumbling waterfalls, guests discover New Zealand’s rich traditions and cultural heritage. The Maori Institute of Applied Arts and the Rotorua Museum of Art and History open their doors to visitors. You can also visit the excavated village of Te Wairoa, buried under a layer of ash from the 1886 eruption, visit the Blue Baths Museum and Spa and listen to a traditional music concert on the ‘sacred island’ of Mokoia.
