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A thermal wonderland - A
bay of plenty... |
Rotorua - Central North - Bay of Plenty - Taupo
Today's visitors still find there is nothing more relaxing in the world after a hard day's
sightseeing than a dip in a thermal pool. While many motels/hotels have their own pools,
at the renowned public Polynesian Pools you can choose from a range of temperatures and
mineral compositions. Here nature's antics can be fascinating, weird and sometimes scary.
Every now and again you catch a whiff of pungent brimstone escaping from the subterranean
fires not too far under your feet, and don't be surprised to spot steam escaping from a
stormwater drain or wafting from a crack in the ground or sidewalk - it's a reminder that
the earth's crust is but a thin veneer around here.
A must is the Whakarewarewa Thermal
Reserve within the city boundaries, location of the star attraction - the famous Pohutu
Geyser.
The Waimangu Valley Round Trip, which has been operating for 90 years, must qualify as New
Zealand's premier sightseeing tour. On this trip you learn about the earth-shattering
Tarawera eruption and explore the surrounding area, including the excavated Maori village
at Te Wairoa and the steamy Waimangu Valley with its boiling lake and hissing fumaroles.
Sparkling or flat water?
It is just over a hundred years since the last major volcanic eruption in the Rotorua
region. In 1886 Mount Tarawera literally blew its top, changing the surrounding landscape
forever, and destroying the world~famous Pink & White Terraces. Today, you can view
the massive crater from the air or by 4wd vehicle. Other areas include violent Tikiteri on
the eastern side of Lake Rotorua; weird Waiotapu with its steamy caverns and colorful,
fizzy Champagne Lake; and Orakei-Korako, to the south, with its boiling pools and silica
terraces, accessible by boat across Lake Ohakuri.
Then there's the contrast of the area's dozen or so tranquil lakes, where you can go
boating, swim, sunbathe or just soak up the peacefulness of the idyllic surroundings.
Rarely are so many lakes so different from each other, found in such close proximity to
each other. If you're an angler, you really should try your hand here, with with a little
luck you should enjoying juicy trout for dinner. Local guides can provide boats, tackle
and all the advice you need.
A cultural journey
A longtime center of the Maori, who took advantage of the hot springs for cooking and
bathing, Rotorua is still the best place to see aspects of their culture, including
concerts displaying dancing and singing, replicas of traditional buildings and fortified
villages, and Maori arts and crafts.
Another traditional way of cooking was by the hangi - a pit filled with heated stones on
which the food was placed, then covered over and steamed. Many of the larger hotels and
some marae (Maori tribal meeting places) recapture some of this tradition by providing
hangi feasts and concerts of traditional music and dancing.
Adjacent to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, at the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, you
may see highly-skilled Maori carvers at their traditional crafts. Here, you can be sure of
buying high-quality genuine artifacts to take back home.
Bubbling with activities
The grand Tudor-style bath house near the lake, adjacent to downtown, had its heyday early
this century when thermal spas were fashionable. In the end it fell victim to the
corrosive forces of the waters and changing fashions, and now serves as a magnificent
local museum, with some fine Maori carving, and art gallery. In the attractive gardens
surrounding the bath house are the exotic orchid gardens.
Rarely will you find such a concentration of attractions and activities as in this resort.
Some of these include scenic flights, luge riding, tandem parachuting, river rafting,
jetboating, fishing, 4WD volcanic safaris, horse riding, bush walks, farm shows,
hovershuttles, etc. To get your suggested itinerary including activities and attractions,
contact Vacation Australia.
How to get there: from Auckland, Rotorua is three hours drive direct from Auckland, or 45
minutes by plane. Both Mount Cook Airlines and New Zealand fly to Rotorua and coach
services provide land transport. Many international chains are located in Rotorua, and
there are also many excellent lodges, motels, guest houses, and hostels, as well as
camping grounds.
Rotorua Golf
The first recording of golf in Rotorua dates back to 1902 when a recording was made in the record of the New Zealand Parliament that 'Golf links will undoubtedly prove a source of pleasure to the many visitors and enquiries are being made with a view of establishing them'. From this beginning golf was played on a casual basis at various venues in and around the then small town. It was not until 1906 that the Rotorua Golf Club came to life and has continued strongly to this day.
See Rotorua Golf courses: Arikikapakapa - Springfield - Mt Maunganui
CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND -
Waikato
Lying immediately south of Auckland region, the Waikato area is one of the most productive
pastoral farming areas of the world. About 78 miles/126 kms south of Auckland lies
Hamilton, a city of 149,000 and the main center for the Waikato region. One of the most
imposing buildings in Hamilton is the Waikato Museum, which features an impressive
collection of Maori artifacts, including a 20 metre war canoe.
The Mississippi of the Maori
A dominant natural feature of this region is the Waikato River, New Zealand's longest (264
miles/ 425 km). It was once an important waterway for Maori canoes and colonial
steamboats. Today, some of this history is recaptured at the annual Maori canoe regatta
held at Ngaruawahia (Na-rua-wa-hia) each March, and by cruising the park-bordered waterway
from Hamilton aboard the M.V. Waipa Delta, a replica of a 110 year-old paddle steamer.
With a wide range of accommodation to suit every pocket, Hamilton is a good base for
exploring the small, prosperous towns of the region: Cambridge with its large English
trees and craft center; Te Awamutu, renowned for its rose gardens and historic St. John's
Anglican Church; Otorohanga, whose zoo boasts the largest walk-through aviary in the
Southern Hemisphere, as well as a special kiwi-bird display.
See the gleaming Waitomo Caves
Less than 50 miles/80 kms to the south of Hamilton, under rolling farmlands, are the
Waitomo Caves with their water-sculpted, lime-stone grottoes. Here you can go cave tubing
or slip silently by on a water-borne barge to view the miriad Plow-worms overhead.
THE BAY OF PLENTY - Tauranga
This region, south of the Coromandel Peninsula and northeast of Rotorua, is aptly named.
It seems to have it all: benign climate, some of the country's most popular beaches, and
an abundance of orchards, especially citrus and kiwifruit; the world's first kiwifruit
orchards were developed in the region. The main center, Tauranga, has a large selection of
vacation accommodation, both in the city and across the harbor at the beach resort of
Mount Maunganui.
If you can drag yourself away from the Mt. Maunganui surf, the Tauranga Historic Village,
with many restored 19th~century buildings where crafts people practice ancient skills,
provide an interesting insight into how the early European settlers lived.
Further east around the bay, near Whakatane, are more stunning beaches. Out on the horizon
you may spot White Island, an active volcano usually identified by its trailing plume of
steam. For those really into volcanology, helicopter flights out to the island are
available from near Whakatane.
New Plymouth & Palmerston North Golf
The New Plymouth Golf Club, commonly called Ngamotu, is ranked one of the top 5 golf courses in New Zealand, a must for every golfer to play. The course is maintained in great condition, and has generous width fairways lined with stately mature pohutukawa trees. Mt Taranaki is always picturesque to the South, and the Tasman sea to the North provides breath taking views of the magnificent coast line stretching from Cape Egmont in the West to the Waikato in the North-East. The course layout, initially designed in 1930, makes wonderful use of the natural contours, with large greens being guarded by unique black iron sand bunkers.
West coast courses: New Plymouth Golf Club - Hokowhitu Championship
TAUPO - Champagne Lake, steaming cliffs
An hour's drive south from Rotorua brings you to Taupo, on the northern shore of Lake
Taupo. However, it will probably take you longer than an hour to get there, as there are
so many sights to see on the way. You might drive into Waiotapu Thermal Reserve to see its
moon-like landscape, fizzy Champagne Lake and silica terraces, or to Waimangu with its
steaming cliffs and boiling cauldron; or detour to Orakei Korako thermal area.
You will know you are near Wairakei by the clouds of steam billowing above the pines; and
you have arrived when suddenly a maze of surrealistic, large silver colored pipes looms
into view on each side of the road. These carry natural steam from roaring geothermal
bores to an electricity generating station. A short distance down the road is one of New
Zealand's premier golf courses and tourist hotels. And at the nearby Wairakei Park the
scenic attractions include the Craters of the Moon thermal area, the Huka Falls where the
full force of the mighty Waikato River gushes and roars through a narrow crevice, and the
spectacular Aratiatia Rapids, also on the Waikato River. For a different perspective of
the Huka Falls you can take an exhilarating jetboat ride on the river.
Taupo Golf
Wairakei International was created with the magic combination of travelling golf architect Commander John Harris, architect and tour player Michael Wolveridge and 5 time British Open winner, Peter Thomson. Even though it was built back a little in time, the championship tees stretch 6429 metres from tip to tip to stir up awe and appreciation for this magnificent layout. Maybe it was the fact that the late Commander Harris, then Britain's leading and most travelled golf architect, Englishman Wolveridge who was briefly flourishing on the US Tour and the legendary Australian Peter Thomson, all shared an affinity to British architecture that has resulted in a course so full of character and a mixture of subtlety and high drama. It also showed that Peter Thomson had talent both as a player and a golf course architect as this was his first ever involvement in the design of a course and his record triumphs must have led to the championship trail prevalent through the layout.
See Taupo Golf Courses: The Centennial Golf Club - Wairakei International - Kinloch
Taupo and Tongariro
Taupo is internationally renowned for its rainbow trout fishing, and there are lots of
guides and boats available; but most people just enjoy cruising on New Zealand's largest
lake (240 square miles), participating in the many water activities, or simply relaxing in
one of the North Island's beauty spots.
Turangi, at the southern end of the lake, is another spot famous for trout fishing, and
about 2 miles/3 km south, along Highway 1, is a trout hatchery which anglers will find
fascinating. It is also a base for white-water rafting on the Tongariro River.
The Tongariro National Park is dominated by the volcanic peaks of Tongariro, Ngaurulroe,
and Ruapelm. The highest peak in the North Island, Ruapelur (9,177 ft/2,797 m) has a snowy
summit even in summer. It is the site of the North Island's premier ski fields at
Whakapapa and Turoa. In summer there's an extensive network of tracks and huts throughout
the park to be explored, and many shorter family walks, nature trails and historical Maori
sites.
Getting Around
Coach and air services operate from Auckland or you can rent a mini-motorhome, 4wd or rental car.
Budget Rental Car - Used and recommended by Vacation Australia.
Vacation NZ provides custom planned, competitively priced tours & packages
Vacation Australia's "Kangaroo Kelly" has comprehensively golf and travelled both Islands in NZ over a period of 44 years. He not only knows the popular tourist regions but also knows the favourite places of the crafty locals.
Groups 8 or more persons
His assistant, "Wallaby Wendy," is an experienced travel buyer who individually negotiates the lowest possible price for your group. We assure you that your itinerary price will be the most competitive possible.
Go to Enquiries & Quotation for your custom planned, competitively priced itinerary