Sights in Rotorua
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Rotorua Museum of Art & History
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.
A gripping 20-minute film on the history of Rotorua, including the Tarawera eruption, runs every 20 minutes from 9am (not for small kids – the seats vibrate and the eruption noises are authentic!). Also here is a collection of taonga (treasures) of Te Arawa, featuring woodcarving, flax weaving and jade. Other exhibits relate the stori…
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Blue Baths
Within the Government gardens are the gorgeous Spanish Mission–style Blue Baths, which opened in 1933 (and, amazingly, were closed from 1982 to 1999). Today you can visit a small museum (open 10am to 5pm) recalling the building’s heyday, with recorded anecdotes and displays in the old changing rooms. If it all makes you feel like taking a dip yourself, the heated pool awaits. Ask about occasional dinner-and-cabaret shows (per person from $125).
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St Faith’s Anglican Church
The historic St Faith’s Anglican Church is intricately decorated with Maori carvings, tukutuku (woven panels), painted scrollwork and stained-glass windows. One window features an image of Christ wearing a Maori cloak as he appears to walk on the waters of Lake Rotorua.
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Te Puia
Pohutu and the Prince of Wales’ Feathers geyser are part of Te Puia, the most polished of NZ’s Maori cultural attractions. Also here is the National Carving & Weaving School, where you can discover the work and methods of traditional Maori weavers and woodcarvers. More of these arts are displayed at Rotowhio Marae, which has a carved meeting house. Also here are a cafe, two museums, a Kiwi reserve and a gift shop that stocks an excellent range of arts and crafts.
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Whakarewarewa Thermal Village
Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, on the eastern side of Te Whakarewarewa, is a living village, where tangata whenua (the locals) still reside, as they and their ancestors have for centuries. It’s these local villagers who show you around and tell you the stories of their way of life and the significance of the steamy bubbling pools, silica terraces and the geysers that, although inaccessible from the village, are easily viewed from vantage points.
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Lake Rotorua Foreshore
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Tarawera Falls
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Soundshell
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Okere Falls
The Okere Falls are about 21km northeast of Rotorua on SH33, with an easy track (30 minutes return) past the 7m falls (popular for rafting), through native podocarp forest and along the Kaituna River. Along the way is a lookout over the river at Hinemoa’s Steps.
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Lake Okataina
The area around Lake Okataina offers walks of varying distance and difficulty. One of the most popular − albeit not for beginners − is the Western Okataina Walkway (seven hours one way), which takes in lake views and a dry crater known as the ‘Bullring’. The track runs from Millar Rd at Lake Okareka to Ruato on Lake Rotoiti with public transport past the Ruato end only.
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Tama-te-kapua Meeting House
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Redwoods − Whakarewarewa Forest
On the edge of town is the Redwoods − Whakarewarewa Forest, home to some of the best mountain-bike trails in the country. There are close to 100km of tracks to keep bikers of all skill levels happy for days on end. Note that not all tracks in the forest are designated for bikers, so adhere to the signposts. The Redwoods area of the forest has a visitor centre where you can get a trail map and learn more about the area.
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Ohinemutu
Ohinemutu is a charmingly ramshackle lakeside Maori village that traces the fusing of European and Maori cultures. The historic St Faith’s Anglican Church is intricately decorated with Maori carvings, tukutuku (woven panels), painted scrollwork and stained-glass windows. One window features an image of Christ wearing a Maori cloak as he appears to walk on the waters of Lake Rotorua. Opposite the church is Tama-te-kapua Meeting House, built in 1905 and named for the captain of the Arawa canoe. This sacred meeting house for Te Arawa people is not open to visitors but can be admired from the outside.
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Te Whakarewarewa
Rotorua’s main drawcard is Te Whakarewarewa (pronounced ‘Fa-ka-re-wa-re-wa’), a thermal reserve 3km from the city centre at the south end of Fenton Street. This area’s full name is Te Whakarewarewatanga o te Ope Taua a Wahiao, meaning ‘The Gathering Together of the War Party of Wahiao’, although many people just call it ‘Whaka’. Whatever you prefer, the reserve is as famous for its Maori cultural significance as its steam and bubbling mud. There are more than 500 springs here, varying from cold to boiling cauldrons. The most famous spring is Pohutu (‘Big Splash’ or ‘Explosion’), a geyser which erupts up to 20 times a day, spurting hot water up to 30m skyward. You’ll know …
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Kuirau Park
Want some cheap geothermal thrills? Close to the centre of Rotorua is Kuirau Park, a volcanic area that you can wander around for free. Its most recent eruption in late 2003 covered much of the park (including the trees) in mud, drawing crowds of spectators hoping for more displays. It has a crater lake, pools of boiling mud and plenty of huffing steam.
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