The NZS.com New Zealand Visiting Rotorua article contains information about the history and landscape of one of New Zealand's recreational and cultural hotspots.
Action, adventure and rest and relaxation
Voted New Zealand’s most beautiful city six times, Rotorua has been attracting visitors for more than 200 years thanks to its historical, cultral and recreational significance.
Affectionately known as the day spa city of the south Pacific, Rotorua is prided by its locals for capturing the best of New Zealand in one place.
Well known as a favourite New Zealand tourist destination, Rotorua is also a hotspot for Kiwis wanting a little adventure and indulgence. Whether you’re looking to experience an authentic taste of Maori culture, geothermal earth forces, a little adventure or indulgent spa Rotorua and hot Rotorua pool experiences, this little adventure town offers it all.
Voted New Zealand’s most beautiful city six times, Rotorua has been welcoming visitors for more than 200 years.
Location, location, location
Rotorua, a Maori word meaning ‘second lake’, was originally settled by the Maori of the Te Arawa iwi. The founder of Rotorua was reportedly a Maori explorer named Ihenga in the 14th century. The first Maori inhabitants arrived shortly after his discovery, transported by canoe from Hawaiki in Eastern Polynesia.
Nestled beside Lake Rotorua, the township of Rotorua is home to one of the most unique tourism sites in the world. As well as the breathtaking scenery of this volcanic-shaped wonderland, Rotorua is a geothermal holiday haven and cultural heartland, with 16 beautiful lakes in the region and a lush abundance of native flora.
Located on a volcanic plateau covering much of the Central North Island, Rotorua is located on an area that demonstrates the awe-inspiring power of nature. Geysers, hot mud pools and steaming craters illustrate the incredible forces of nature in the Rotorua region, where the famed and pungent aroma of sulphur permeates the air.
Natural attractions
There are 16 lakes in the Rotorua region, making it an ideal place to visit and set out on the water with your rod for a spot of fishing. Fifteen of Rotorua’s lakes are fishable in varying size and depth, offering predominantly rainbow trout, as well as brown trout, brook trout and tiger trout.
Ringed by scenic tracts of bush, forest and farmland, Rotorua's lakeland chain was shaped by historic volcanic activity. The major fishing lakes are Rotorua, Rotoiti, Tarawera, Okataina and Rotoma., and most lakes are open 365 days of the year.
Perhaps one of the natural attractions Rotorua is best known for however is its therapeutic waters. Rotorua's reputation as a natural spa destination dates back more than 160 years, when the Pink and White Terraces were considered the eighth wonder of the world.
The 'Spa City'
In 1878 a Catholic Priest from Tauranga disabled with arthritis was carried to the Rotorua pools to bathe in a small spring . After soaking in its acidic waters he was able to walk back to Tauranga, and the pool became known as the ‘Priest’s Bath’.
News of the therapeutic values of Rotorua’s thermal pools continued to spread, resulting in the development of a number of bath houses and resort-style spas where people could visit to ‘take the cure’ and relieve their ailments.
The Bath House, promoted as ‘the great spa of the South Pacific', was opened in 1908 by Rear-Admiral Sperry of the American Great White Fleet. The Bath House represents the New Zealand Government’s first major investment in the tourism industry, and today houses Rotorua Museum of Art and History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa.
A taste of tourism
Spa Rotorua experiences still play a major role in the region’s tourism industry, with people from all over New Zealand and around the world visiting to relax and unwind while taking in the timeless therapeutic and rejuvenating benefits of natural spas and thermal waters.
Along with its history, culture, and luxurious natural spas, Rotorua is one of New Zealand's top adventure playgrounds. The region’s volcanic landscape provides a dynamic backdrop to some of New Zealand’s favourite outdoor activities.
Though best known for it's Rotorua pools, with more than 70km of tracks just minutes from the city centre, Rotorua is also New Zealand's leading mountain-biking destination. It is also home to world-first adventure activities, such as the Zorb and Shweeb. Adrenalin junkies can also luge, raft, sledge, off-road, sky dive, bodyfly and bungy.
Taking a trip to Rotorua? Make sure you take some time to relax and unwind while enjoying adventure pursuits.
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Travel images from Flickr: Rotorua, New Zealand Lake and Dolphin.
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