Hells Gate Thermal Area Rotorua

View Larger Map

More fascinating steam vents, large craters, colourful rocks, boiling mud, hot waterfalls and more. Welcome to Hells Gate.

I won't add to much to this post as I have, by now, covered so many thermal areas I think you get the picture as to what to expect.

Once again if , like me, you find geology and thermal activity interesting you'll love this place. If however you've seen the other thermal areas I've mentioned you may consider you have inhaled enough sulphur fumes for now and decide to do something else instead.

Personally I like the fact that the Earth is more powerful than any human and New Zealand is one country where we can get up close and personal with the raw power of our planet.

Boat Plane Ride over Rotorua and Mount Tarawera

View Larger Map

 Looking at Mount Tarawera and the amazing surroundings of Rotorua and beyond from above is an experience you will never forget.

You may therefore wonder why I am NOT going to recommend it?

Well I am and I am not. 

I thoroughly recommend doing it but NOT in a boat plane or any small fixed wing aircraft.

Instead use a helicopter option, perhaps the one now available at the Agrodome?  http://new-zealand-north-island.blogspot.com/1991/02/agrodome-rotorua.html

Why?

Because the turbulence in such an aircraft can make you feel so incredibly sick it detracts from the enjoyment of the flight. I know this may not affect everybody in the same way but there were 4 of us on the flight and it made us all feel really ill. Although funnily enough we all tried to be heroes during the flight saying we were having a wonderful time. It was long after we landed before everyone confessed how sick we had felt.

There's another good reason to opt for a helicopter over an aircraft and that is the fact that a helicopter usually gives you better visibility for photographing the ground and a wider panoramic view.

From memory I think the only reason my father did not opt for the helicopter was that, with his long engineering background, he always insisted that according to the laws of physics a helicopter should be unable to fly and was therefore unsafe. He swore he would never fly in one.

Being somebody who has enjoyed a helicopter flight, although not over New Zealand, I know which gave me the smoother ride. When we next return to Rotorua a helicopter would be first choice.

Maori Culture, Dance and Haka, Rotorua

View Larger Map

Maori culture, it's wonderful people and it's history simply has to play a part in a tourist's visit to New Zealand.

Watching the Maoris sing, do the poi dance and performing the traditional Haka is an event not to be missed. Audience members who wish to can also join in with some of the dancing.

The Maori achitecture and carvings are beautiful and I am sure many a tourist like us returns home with a small piece of Maori culture such as a small carving memento or piece of jewellry.

The pictures on this post are my own. I do have video which I hope to embed in due course but in the meantime enjoy this Haka from You Tube

Fairbank Green Hedge Maze, Rotorua

The Fairbank maze is another attraction that I could do with clarification, by way of a comment to this post, as to whether it still exists or not.

Back in 1991 we thoroughly enjoyed our a-maze-ing experience but despite reading that it is/was very close to Rotorua airport I have been unable to loacte it anywhere on Google Earth's satellite view. There is also so little information on the internet it makes me wonder if this attraction has had to make way for something else?

The Agrodome, Rotorua

View Larger Map

Boy a lot has changed since we visited the Agrodome in 1991. I thought it was great then but this is one popular tourist attraction that seems to be a whole lot better.

I'll deal with the traditional part of the Agrodome first and that is the chance for ewe to learn more, much more, about the sheep of New Zealand (awful pun, I know, sorry).

Within a purpose built auditorium all the breeds are demonstrated to you with a very informative talk. Demonstrations of speedy sheep shearing follow and even the sheepdogs play a part too, running across the backs of their woolly friends.

Audience participation plays a big part too. Visitors can get up close and personal with the sheep, kids can help feed the lambs and there's great photo opportunities with all the animals including the dogs.

And that alone, for us, at the time was an extrememly enjoyable experience.

But now, after your demonstrations you can go on a tractor driven tour of the farmland where you can literally mingle with and hand feed sheep, deer, cattle, emus and ostriches and alpaca. You will continue on your tour in your 55 seater trailer enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and Lake Rotorua with many photo opportunities.  Also included is a visit to the pure organic New Zealand orchard which produces kiwifruit, olives, appleas and feijoas. Apparently this stop also includes free samples of New Zealand's wine and honey.

That tour is a huge addition in itself but there are now loads of other activities you can undertake based in the Agrodome  complex. Fancy having a helicopter ride and landing on the edge of a volcano crater? A spot of bungy jumping? How about rolling down a hill sealed in a plastic ball? A free fall diving experience? All these adrenalin pumping activites are available and that's just a few of them!

Take a look at the Agrodome Website http://www.agrodome.co.nz it looks like you'll be spoilt for choice!

New Zealand's Agrodome has now become a full day experience if you wish to fit as many activities as possible into your day.

An amazing experience and all available in the one place.

As regards to the large model railway "England in miniature" I have pictured above I am pretty sure this was housed within the Agrodome complex at the time of our visit. I am not sure if it is still there or elsewhere in Rotorua now. Perhaps somebody could comment to let me know.

Rotorua Museum Of Art and History, The Bath House

View Larger Map

It is now the Rotorua Museum of Art and History but to most people who have seen this beautiful building it will always be known as The Bath House. The surrounding grounds and gardens are well kept and beautiful.

This building is probably one of the most pictured in New Zealand. However it should look a little different soon. Same beautiful appearance, just bigger.

When it was originally built construction funds ran out and therefore certain sections of the building were not completed. Now sufficient funds have been raised those missing parts are to be constructed to the original specifications. This will also provide valuable extra space for the museum's artefacts.

So if you are able to visit Rotorua's Bath House, sorry museum of art and history, again you can still take a great picture. But you will just need to stand further back or use a wide angle lens!

Whakarewarewa. Rotorua and more thermal activity

View Larger Map

I have to admit that if you are really not into thermal areas by this stage you may think this is one thermal area too many?

However every thermal area in New Zealand seems to have it's own unique "headline feature" which you really should not miss.

Whakarewarewa is no exception. Yes it has the colourful pools, the boiling mud, ponds so hot you could cook your boil-in-the-bag fish in them and smelly steam eminating from every crevice in the ground. But it also has in lead role - The Prince Of Wales Feathers - twin geysers. Wow! It doesn't matter where you stand in this thermal park you can get great photos from almost every angle.

Go on go and see them you know you want to.

Rotorua Luge

View Larger Map

OK once you've enjoyed climbing the hills of Rotorua why not consider descending it by luge?

This is fun for old and young alike. Decend the hills of Rotorua on a long, winding course. Each luge has 3 wheels and speed is easily controlled.

There are now 3 courses to choose from. When we went there was only the longer 2km course and that was superb fun.

Now there are 2 shorter courses which still enjoy superb views but provide more for those who enjoy tight bends/tunnels etc.

Don't worry you don't have to climb the hill on foot to meet up with the rest of your family. Instead you and your luge ascend the hill on a chairlift which is an enjoyable event itself.

If you are elderly don't let this put you off having a go. We saw people well over retirement age having great fun on the Rotorua luge.

Skyline Skyrides Rotorua

View Larger Map

For incredible views across the Rotoruan landscape a two-way journey on the Skyline Skyrides cable car has to be a must.

Enjoy a leisurely journey up to the top of the Rotoruan Hills in the comfort of your car. Spectacular landscape photos can be taken at the top of the hill.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua

View Larger Map 

Of all the geothermal areas in New Zealand the most famous and well known is probably the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua.

It really has got just about every type of thermal activity you could imagine. Volcanic Craters, steaming ground, bubbling mud pools, the famous champagne pool, other naturally coloured pools and the world famous Lady Knox geyser. This geyser with a helping hand from a human with a piece of soap erupts every day at 10.15 am

New Zealand claims to be the youngest country on the planet. Wai-O-Tapu is living proof that in the "baking" of this fledgling country this place is a long way from coming out of the oven.