Rotorua

About

Rotorua is New Zealand’s most prominent geothermal town. Here you can see boiling mud in the parks, steam coming from the drains, and pungent gasses emanating from cracks on the edge of the lake. But don’t let the eggy smells put you off - there is a reason why Rotorua is such a popular destination. In the town itself the Polynesian Spa offers a large range of pools for therapeutic bathing, while just across from the baths is the Rotorua Museum - worth a look for the beautiful Government Gardens and elegant colonial-era mansion. There’s also many opportunities for hiking on doorstep, from the great lake views of Mount Ngongotaha to Whakarewarewa Forest, one of the few places in the world where Californian giant redwood trees grow successfully. Moari culture is also strong here, with several showcase villages and meeting halls from which to learn and experience more of the native culture.