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Rotorua Attractions
Although the major thermal areas and Maori culture remain very popular, Mount Tarawera now plays a big part in Rotorua tourism. It has a strong mystical history for the Maori, and I keep hearing rave reports about four-wheel-drive and fly-over crater tours. If your time is short, the top must-see/must-do attractions are the Te Puia; Rotorua Museum; either of the geothermal reserves, Waiotapu or Waimangu; and a scenic flight over Mount Tarawera. This is easy to manage in 2 days. Visit the museum first or last for a comprehensive overview of Mount Tarawera’s role. And pick up the Passport to Rotorua’s Finest Attractions brochure from the visitor center—it details the bus service that frequents 18 leading attractions.
Saving on the Sights -- Check the visitor center or its website (www.rotoruanz.com) for the latest Rotorua Hot Deals (www.rotoruahotdeals.com). New packages and deals are added regularly throughout the year, but typically include Tamaki Tours, Polynesian Spa, Agrodome, Skyline Skyrides, and many other star attractions and activities. Rotorua Adventure Combos (tel. 0800/338-786 in NZ, or 07/357-2236; www.rotoruacombos.com) also combines many of the city's leading attractions in well-priced packages; and Rotorua 5 Star Super Pass (tel. 07/348-5179; www.rotorua5star.co.nz) gives you good deals on access to Polynesian Spa, Skyline Skyrides, and Te Puia.
Sacred Lake -- Of the 16 major lakes in the area, most are ideal for swimming and watersports - except Lake Rotokakahi, the Green Lake. This lake is tapu (sacred) to the Maori and, therefore, off-limits for swimming, boating, and fishing.
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- Cooking Class
Agrodome
Not everyone wants to come face-to-face with 19 different sheep breeds in one place at one time, but if you do, this is your chance. You can also see a shearing display and a working sheepdog demonstration, tour the 160-hectare (395-acre) farm, or find yourself something satisfyingly…In Nearby Ngongotaha
- Historic Site
Buried Village of Te Wairoa
The Buried Village has an excellent little museum that details the eruption of Mount Tarawera and its aftermath. It displays many of the objects unearthed after the Mount Tarawera eruption buried the small village of Te Wairoa in 1886. A meandering pathway set among trees and meadows…Just Outside Rotorua - Zoo/Aquarium
Paradise Valley Springs
You can go from sheep to trout in a few easy minutes, with an unexpected bonus: lions! This very pretty place has delightful bush walks through a wildlife sanctuary, trout-filled streams, and a wetlands area. There is also an underwater viewing cave and a spawning stream where you…In Nearby Ngongotaha - Gym/Spa
Polynesian Spa
Don'??t leave town without indulging in this divinely soothing experienceâ??voted by U.K. Condé Nast Traveller readers as being among the top 10 thermal spas in the world in 2009. The jewel in this watery crown is the Lake Spa complex, with four Japanese Rotem Buro pools at different…In the City Area - Zoo/Aquarium
Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park & Kiwi Encounter
As at Paradise Valley Springs, you’ll find water teeming with trout. But instead of lions, you’ll get kiwi and tuatara. Kiwi Encounter is unique in that it presents “conservation in action”—the raising of kiwi chicks from eggs for release into the wild. It’s the only purpose-built…In Nearby Ngongotaha - Natural Attraction
Redwoods Treewalk
Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest—also called “The Redwoods”—is known for its massive stands of 75-meter (250-foot) tall California Coast Redwoods. They were first planted in Rotorua in 1901 as an experiment by the timber industry to see if they’d be commercially viable. It was decided… - Museum
Rotorua Museum of Art & History
Set in a spectacular former bath house (it's an architectural gem) the Rotorua Museum takes visitors on a quick and informative spin through the egion’s geological and cultural history. These include an important collection of Te Arawa taonga (treasures). Be sure to also stop by the…Around Town - Tour
Skyline Skyrides
Skyline Skyrides is one of the most popular Rotorua attractions, and for the panoramic views from Mount Ngongotaha alone, the ride is worth it. Entertain the whole family with crazy ways to descend -- ??the regular scenic luge, intermediate and advanced luge tracks, or the chairlift.…In Nearby Ngongotaha - Historic Site
Tamaki Maori Village & The Chronicles of Uitara -- Journey of Ages
This family company has taken numerous honors in the New Zealand Tourism Awards. The re-created, pre-settlement Maori village, 20 minutes from the city, presents tribal life as it used to be. Carving, weaving, moko (tattooing), singing, dancing, chanting, and cooking are all part of… - Historic Site
Te Puia
Just five minutes from downtown, this is one of Rotorua’s top attractions: It’s a one-stop shop for Māori culture, nature, and conservation. The 60-hectare (148-acre) Te Puia complex is situated in the Whakarewarewa geothermal valley and is home to a kiwi house, more than 500…
More About Rotorua Attractions
Rotorua Shopping
Pick up the excellent Rotorua Arts Trail brochure from the visitor center. It gives names and contact details of many of the city’s best artists, jewelers, and craftspeople. The best places to shop for Maori arts and crafts are Te Puia, at Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve (tel. 07/348-9047), where you’ll find superb carvings; and Tamaki Maori Village, State Highway 5 (tel. 07/346-2823), which has excellent displays of indigenous work at their replica village but you need to be part of their tours to access the shops.
Simply New Zealand, Tourism Rotorua Centre, 1161 Fenton St. (tel. 07/348-8273; www.simplynewzealand.com), has an excellent range of New Zealand–made merino wool knitwear, delightful toiletries, and a host of souvenirs. Rainbow Springs and Agrodome have good shops for wool products. At Mountain Jade, 1288 Fenton St. (tel. 07/349-3968; www.mountainjade.co.nz), you can watch the creative process of carving jade as it happens. Their carving studio is open to the public daily from 9am.
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Agrodome
All things woolly are on sale at the Agrodome. They have rugs, cushions, handsome wool knitted jackets, leather coats, and much more. If you don't want to carry your purchases along, they can arrange for them to be shipped worldwide.Ngongotaha- Jewelry
Jade Factory
Jade Factory carries a wide range of gifts and moderately priced souvenirs. Their second store across the road offers jewelry in bone, jade and paua and some larger jade sculptures.Around Town - Bookstores
McLeods Bookseller
This historic bookshop (opened in 1896) is an excellent place to head for tomes on Maori culture. It also will suit your needs if you're looking for a good read for the plane home, as it has all of the hot, new releases, along with young adults and children's books, non-fiction and…Around Town - Art
Red Spot Gallery
Art lovers will want to stop by this gallery for New Zealand pottery, glass art, contemporary sculpture, and original paintings. The owners here are especially good about fostering the work of emerging artists so this could be a chance to spot a bargain from someone whose name will…Around Town - Souvenirs
Simply New Zealand
Simply New Zealand stores can be found throughout the country and they’re always a good bet for quality New Zealand products—everything from woolen accessories and sports togs to toys, jewelry, books and chocolates. The outlets in Rotorua are at the Tourism Centre, and in the Rotorua…Around Town - Souvenirs
Te Puia Store
This may be the best shop in town for New Zealand- and Maori-related souvenirs. The quality is exceptional and the Maori weaving and carving has often been produced on-site in the carving and weaving schools.Arikikapakapa Reserve
Rotorua Nightlife
Rest assured, there is more to Rotorua’s nightlife than Maori hangi and concert performances. For a start, pick up a free copy of Thermal Air, which will point you in the direction of some of the best places to go.
There’s an Irish pub in every town, and in Rotorua that’s O’Malley’s Irish Bar, 1287 Eruera St. (tel. 07/347-6410), which features live music most Friday and Saturday nights. A good hotel nightspot is the Mezz Bar in Rydges on Fenton Street.
Backpackers will invariably have a good time at Base Hot Rock Lava Bar, 1286 Arawa St. The Pig & Whistle City Bar, 1182 Tutanekai St. (tel. 07/347-3025), has a boutique brewery and hearty pub-style meals, with live music on Friday and Saturday. Fuze City Bar, Lake End, Tutanekai Street (tel. 07/349-6306), is open from 3pm until late Tuesday through Saturday and offers a smart environment for evening drinks, tapas, and gourmet pizza.
