Ngongotaha / Rotorua

We set up in the Rotorua Family Holiday Park for a couple of days as a base to explore the area.
We went to an evening show at Mitai Maori Village, which showcased Maori Culture. We shared a dinner table with Canadians, a couple of Chinese Americans, an Irishman and a lady from Argentina. It made for an interesting discussion comparing travel experiences. The cultural show was very well done and it was fortunate that we came prepared for cold weather because there was a lot outside. The dinner was amazing, a huge range of buffet offerings, much of which came from a traditional hungi. We ate far too much.
The next day we took a "Duck Tour" of the city and lakes in a 1942 vintage army duck. It was great fun and the girl driving had a great sense of humour. We did a short tour of a few city areas then headed out past the Redwood Forest to hit the water and tour the Blue Lake and Lake Okareka. It was fun but we expect more of a city tour
We lunched at a park near Sulphur Point, the smell of hydrogen sulfide strong at times. Then we drove to Kuirau Park, which had lots of interesting thermal pools and steam vents set in beautiful parklands. Then it was on to Okere Falls on the Kaituna River. This was the site of a hydro power station in the early 1900s. Now it is a Mecca for rafting and we had fun watching large groups crash over the falls and fight the rapids. The water flow was amazing.
All in all, Rotorua has been a highlight. It is over commercialized, like many great attractions, but there are still lots of free sights and attractions.Read more