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Published: January 1st 2008
Me on the bridge - same area in Rotorua
It doesn't smell as bad as you think it does!DATE VISITED: 27, 28, 29 DECEMBER 07 After our detour in the Coromandel we headed inland to the city of Rotorua. It has the most energetic thermal activity in the country, with bubbling mud pools, gurgling hot springs, and gushing geysers. We checked in at a decent 4 star camp site on the edge of town complete with free thermal pools and underground heated tent sites (more later) before seeing the local sites of Rotorua which included an amazing thermal park full of smoking 'vents' and bubbling pools and a buried Village at the edge of town. The village was really well presented and it took us about 2 hours walking through seeing the remnants of what was a lively community before a volcano erupted near by in the late 19th century. It covering it in Volcanic ash and mud and killing most at the village, burying a lot of the buildings (some of which we saw excavated) along with pottery and other goods recovered from the site. It was a bit like the 'Pompeii' of New Zealand I guess although obviously with not as much of the history to go with it.. We managed to climb up Rainbow Mountain -
Is that the yeti?
(buried village at Rotorua - covered over by the near-by Volcano which erupted in the 1800's) a summit nearby which presented quite a steep climb but the views at the top were worth it as we could see and appreciate the volcanic landscape (green grassy moulds) surrounding Rotorua which were once so active here.
I was stunned as we walked around Rotorua that first day, just strolling on local streets and seeing people's back gardens with their own thermal geysers gushing steam out either from the ground or from a dug out hole or a home-made device just for effect (a bit like our water features in England but this being volcanic)! I also couldn't believe how Rotorua would just leave you wondering its streets and relying on your own common sense and caution not to accidentally step onto to these random boiling! bubbling areas found only feet away from where you were walking (not, as if it was in England, roped off with warning signs hung up everwhere). I loved that though - how this sulphur bubbling place was just left to its own devices and for us as tourists to just stumble across it free of charge!: )
Today was probably the most enjoyable day so far - a few hours spend
meandering through an amazing Thermal park (the photos will explain better than words!) and then onto a natural thermal stream complete with waterfall where we sat in the afternoon bathing (near boiling temperature - probably similar to a hot hot bath at home)!. We had the whole place to ourself - a most idyllic picnic spot too 😊
On our way back we called in at Rainbow Springs , a fauna/ flora park where we saw a Kiwi (at last!) although he was asleep in the corner! and a few parrots and wannabes etc! It made a nice detour... added to the winery detour which took us 20 k's out of town to sample some fantastic Blueberry chutney, juice, jam wine and the best Blueberry liquor you can imagine! which completed the day just nice.
The traffic in Rotorua is the only thing that winds me up but I am probably only noticing it as we have had hours of empty roads and expansive landscapes all to ourselves - I think we have been spoilt.
I know I will be thinking of that natural hot bath for a while - I wish the peak district had those,
but then again it isnt built over a boiling well like Rotorua. This place is one of the most unique I have ever visited and has been one of the highlights so far which I hope the pictures can depict!
ps those tent sites I mentioned - we are sleeping close to a bubbling thermal area (We hear it at night - a bit like sleeping next to a kettle always on the boil - quite soothing actually) But better still, our tent groundsheet heats up as the heat comes from the ground through the soil and warms us at night from all the thermal activity happenning below - how amazing is that!)
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Helen
non-member comment
sulphur in pools
Hi, I have been reading your comments. Can you please tell me how bad the smell is? I suffer from asthma and am wary about staying in Rororua as have been told it can affect people with asthma. We are going next Jan. Would really appreciate any comments - I don't want to get sick!!! Thanks so much