Whakarewarewa offers plenty of other surprises too. Visitors can meander their way along Redwood forest trails to discover more wonderment hidden in the hills. For those with stamina, there is a terrific walk that leads hikers to the observation deck with fantastic views of Rotorua township. And active kids and families can hit mountain bike trails, suspension bridges or high ropes to notch up the excitement. In fact, hiking enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors can be kept busy for days scouting the trails across the region. However, if you like your views to come with even more of a kick, you can see the sites dangling from a cable car, skydiving from a plane or zip-lining down a mountainside.
At ground level and back to Whakarewarewa, Māori culture, history and regional geology are on full display with three exceptional centres closely linked. The Te Puia Pohutu Geyser Museum is conveniently located next door to the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute (NZMACI for short). Side by side, the two make the most of your morning hours. For those interested in authenticity, NZMACI is a mesmerising experience that brings Maori culture to life with live performances, storytelling, and exceptional interactive art displays. Here you can watch and engage with artisans as they carve, weave and fashion beautiful and traditionally inspired works. The whole experience adds layers to your travel stories and memories. And that work of art you couldn’t leave behind has greater meaning when it’s taking up a feature spot later in your home. Just around the corner from the museum and NZMACI is the Rotorua Mitai Maori Village. The Mitai family welcomes visitors each night for an immersive experience that takes guests on a journey through the ages, introducing them to Māori ways and uncovering cultural aspects of traditional life from King making to warrior and war dances, traditional hunting and hangi, tattooing and totems and so much more.
Gifting Owl has several tours that will guide through this giant geyser wonderland to ensure you get a high-quality and personal experience as you go. But that’s just the start of what’s in store. Widen your gaze and you’ll see the bigger picture of an amazing place for big lakes, stunning landscapes, and thrill-seeker experiences you can gift yourself or gift to others through our Rotorua listings. They will make you want to milk every minute from your time in Rotorua.
About half an hours’ drive from the town, the Kaituna River empties into Rotoiti Lake a much smaller lake that neighbours Rotorua Lake. As the river nears the inlet, a series of three waterfalls provide the perfect hunting ground for thrill-seeking water babies who love nothing better than the cut and thrust of challenging white-water rapids. These are not just any rapids either. The rafting course includes the highest rafted waterfall in the world, Tutea Falls at seven metres. Navigating your way down through these rapids is hardly child’s play and the tour includes detailed accounts of warriors who over centuries fought for the river and surrounding lands and who tested their strength against this driving force of nature.
You can explore the surrounding mountains on horseback or quad bikes that take you to the premium parts of the local forests and lakes while you experience and learn about the region. Travel beneath the surface to the Waitomo Glow worm Caves where huge chambers are bathed in golden light and as you travel by boat through the glow worm grotto the air fills with the tracings of thousands of tiny lights. Get deep and dirty up to your chin in bubbling mud baths especially prepared for your enjoyment by mother nature.
These are the places that make Rotorua the magnificent natural haven it is. The calming warmth of the surroundings provides a peaceful and comforting retreat for all those who visit. An experience gift for anyone travelling to Rotorua is a gift they will forever be thankful for.
Happy gifting!