Rotorua, New Zealand is the tourist capital of the North Island. Surrounded by volcanos, lakes, rivers, and hillsides, and centrally located on the island, it the ideal location for the traveler looking for “adventurous” New Zealand from the corporate tourism industry. Being that the Globalinks crew and I were traveling in the fall, rafting, kayaking and other adventures were less optimal choices for our time there. We also considered the day long excursions to Hobbiton or the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves that leave from Rotorua, but decided to save those for future weekends (like next weekend out of Hamilton). We also took a brief adventure in zorbing where you roll down the hillside in a giant plastic ball. However, it was not really my cup of tea even though I was glad for the check on my bucket list. So, without further ado, here are 3 things worth doing in Rotorua (in order of my enjoyment).
- Relaxing in a geothermal spa
Being that Rotorua is close to several volcanos and has an abundance of water from it lakes and rivers, hot springs and geothermal energy are an important part of the community. They are also an important part of the tourism economy. With several hot springs and spas to choose from, we ended up purchasing a combo deal that sent us to the Polynesian Spa on the lake front. Supposedly it is one of the top 10 thermal spas in the world. With beautiful views and the strong odor of sulfur in the air we spent a couple hours unwinding from 3 busy weeks gone by. The spa has multiple pools at different temperatures with the hottest being 107 and the most famous being the 105 degrees overlooking the pungent yet beautiful Sulfur Bay.
2. Engaging with historical Maori culture
Rotoroua’s abundance of natural features and especially the hot springs led to the denser settlement of Maori tribes in the region some 1,000 years ago. With the arrival of European settlers in the 1700s many Maori traditions were lost but have since been regained through government treaties and protection. We had the opportunity for an extensive tour of the Tamaki village about a half-hour outside of Rotorua. Fortunately, the village’s peppy bus drivers will pick you up from your lodging. It was an incredibly fun experience and very interactive as we took part in learning about various Maori practices and traditions. I thoroughly enjoined yelling ferociously as part of the haka (a traditional war chant or greeting). After a satisfying and delicious dinner cooked the traditional way via hangi—where the preparers dig a pit, start a fire in the pit, place volcanic rocks on the coals, then the food in baskets on the rocks, then cover it over with soil and more volcanic rocks—we traveled back to the hostel. Along the way our eccentric bus driver allowed all the riders to sing their national anthem. As much as I love New Zealand, The Star Spangled Banner will always come exuding from my vocal chords when allowed.
- Partaking in some competitive street luging
I have been in New Zealand for roughly 3 weeks now and done a lot of exciting things. However, none comes close to luging at the Skyline. As part of the combo deal we got 3 luge rides each over 1 km down the hill around twisting turns. From the top of the hill you could see the quaint and picturesque town of Rotorua below. The company’s motto of “you can never just go once” is an understatement. I probably could have spent the whole day there and never gotten tired of it. With three tracks of differing abilities and speed levels, and with growing confidence on each run, I felt a deep calling for the wind whipping past my cheeks, the redwood trees observing my glee, and the hillside coming alive with the rushes of adrenaline. It was sort of like riding a roller coaster that you had full control over. The g-forces and the acceleration were all in my hands. I’ve never done anything like it and now I have a yearning for more.
With that I leave you with 3 things to do if you make your way through Rotorua. If you have any other suggestions please drop them below in the comments below. Kia Ora!
Reflections of an Urbanist 