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Taupo and Rotorua are known for three main things: Māori history, lakes and geothermal activity. A visit to the central North Island will give you an experience like no other in the world.
There are literally hundreds of things to do in the area, from native wildlife and amazing natural phenomena to cultural experiences that help you understand how NZ was hundreds of years ago.
Rotorua Skyline Gondola Start your journey around the area by taking the
gondola up Mt Ngongotaha. From there, you can see the township, Lake Rotorua and the geothermal areas, complete with billows of steam. It gives you an idea of the geography of the area so you can better plan your trip. While you’re up there, you can eat at the Stratosphere Restaurant, go on the Skyswing, enjoy tasting Volcanic Hills wine overlooking the town, and then MTB/ zipline/ Luge your way down the hill.
Visit some geothermal areas Since you saw them from afar at the top of Mt Ngongotaha, you probably want to go see these areas up close. Rotorua is extremely geothermally active, so there’s many places to see boiling pools of mud, geysers, and the alien landscape filled with craters and
steam vents.
Waimangu has lots of see and wild walking tracks to follow. This park has brilliantly coloured water and huge hot water springs.
Hells Gate has a walkway through steaming cliffs, mud volcanos, sulphur lakes and a sulphur bath. You can then douse yourself liberally in health-giving thermal mud and relax in a gooey mess.
Learn about the indigenous people, the Māori Journey back through time to when Pākehā had not arrived in Aotearoa and the Māori people lived in the area, taking advantage of the natural hot water to bathe and cook. Head to
Te Puia , where you’ll see Pohutu Geyser, boiling mudpools, watch carvers and weavers and listen to stories of how the Māori lived their lives traditionally.
Or, head to the
Buried Village, Te Wairoa. There, you’ll find the remains of a village that was destroyed by the 1848 Mt Tarawera eruption. There’s a waterfall, museum, lots for the kids to do and a lovely cup of tea and scones at the on-site café.
There’s also the
Tamaki Maori Village , where you can see performances of Kapa Haka, learn stories about Maui and the local Taniwha, and eat a meal that was cooked in a
hangi (underground oven cooked by hot stones/ fire).
Adventure and thrills in Rotorua There’s no end of the activities in Rotorua. You can take a
tree-top canopy walk, suspended 10 metres above the ground, complete with swing bridges, ziplines and gorgeous NZ native birds.
There’s a range of white water rafting options, from a
mellow cruise down the Rangitaiki River, through to the terrifying grade
5 Kaituna River . It includes the world’s highest rafted waterfall- a truly amazing experience for the brave!
You can also check out the world-famous mountain bike tracks in the
Redwood Forest,
Whakarewarewa . There’s a range of terrains for all skills levels, from kids and beginners through to people who like to feel the wind of terror rush through their hair.
Once you’ve completed all you want to in Rotorua, head down the road to Taupo.
Taupo’s main attraction: Huka Falls Huka Falls is an easy-to-access must-do while you’re in the area. It’s an eleven meter high waterfall, which doesn’t sound that impressive. However, as you approach the falls, you’ll understand why they are so famous. An extra-ordinary 220,000 litres of water cascades down the falls every second. This rumbling giant is something incredible to witness.
Thermal volcanic activity in Taupo
Rotorua doesn’t have the monopoly on geothermal activity in NZ. Taupo has a few spots too. Head to
Craters of the Moon for a thermal walkway that’s affordable for the whole family. There ae mud pools, steam vents and the paths are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Otumuheke Stream is close to Huka Falls. Bring your togs/ swimwear and relax and enjoy the hot pools while soaking up the views of the Waikato River.
Walk to see the area’s natural beauty There are a number of walking tracks in and around Taupo. You can take SH5 east of Taupo for 15 minutes to reach the base of Mt Tauhara. It’s a touch over an hour to reach the top, where you’ll have views of Lake Taupo,
Mt Tongariro and Mt Ruapehu.
The
Aratiatia Rapids are a popular local attraction that tourists are only just finding out about. If the gates of the Waikato dam are opened, which usually happens a few times a day, the placid stream becomes a raging torrent. This walk takes two hours and starts from Huka Falls.
Check times before you go so you don’t miss out on the spectacle.
So much to do, so little time
There are a huge number of options of things to do in Taupo and Rotorua. If you like adrenaline-fuelled adventures, you have a range of options, but if you like the quiet life, there are walks, mud baths, hot pools and spas galore too. Set amidst some of the most unusual yet beautiful places on earth, the central North Island will always be a highlight for visitors to NZ.
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