Rotorua Museum of Art & History

Lonely Planet review

This impressive museum, better known as the Bath House, is in a grand Tudor-style edifice in the Government Gardens. Originally an elegant spa retreat (it opened in 1908), displays in the former shower rooms give a fascinating insight into some of the eccentric therapies once practised here, including 'electric baths' and the Bergonie Chair.

The museum has an interesting exhibition of the taonga (treasures) of the local Arawa people, including elaborate woodcarvings and jade. Other exhibitions relate the stories of the WWII 28 Maori Battalion, with a 25-minute film, and the disastrous 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption. The survivors' stories have been preserved, as has the strange tale of the ominous, ghostly war canoe that appeared before a boatload of astonished tourists hours before the eruption. A gripping 20-minute film on the history of Rotorua, including the eruption (accompanied by shuddering seats), plays continuously in a small theatre. Other galleries host temporary exhibitions and there is also a pleasant cafe.