You may have noticed I’ve been quiet the last few weeks - I have been on holiday! It’s winter here in New Zealand, so just a short break but I have been away travelling. The good news is that I have plenty of wonderful travel experiences to share with you if you ever make it down to this beautiful part of the world. I’ve picked out my 5 best stops in Rotorua, one of New Zealand’s major adventure capitals, where I spent a couple of days these holidays.
1. Rotorua Tree Top Walks
This one is a fantastic experience that you probably have to do twice to really get the most out of it. Just south-east of Lake Rotorua is a giant Redwood forest planted from the same stock in California, which you may recognise as the home of the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi. These trees are newer but nonetheless giant, towering poles that provide an amazing view and experience.
By far the best way to take it all is in from the air, and luckily the Redwoods Treewalks experience gives you all that and more. By day, you can traverse the course and see the depth of the forest, the heigh of the bridges and everything all around you. But at night is when it gets truly amazing - you see, they have lit up the entire course with an incredible light show, which adds an entirely new dimension. With giant lanterns, illuminated pathways and even simulated fireflies, it truly is a sight you cannot miss.
And if that weren’t enough, there is an incredible little café/restaurant down the road called Eastwood which makes the most incredible wood-fired pizza. While you’re there you can even browse the latest Scion research centre displays of the incredible textiles and components they are making out of… wood! A top trip all round.
2. The Polynesian Spa
Rotorua is most famous for its geothermal activity and beautiful lake. When these things combine, you get gorgeous warm water spa pools; the most well-known of these is perhaps the Polynesian Spa. Boasting a collection of outdoor pools ranging from 37-40°C, you can easily soak for hours while taking in the incredible lake views. Even better, there are separate pools for children, so you can enjoy a relatively peaceful time if you are unencumbered, so to speak.
Even better than the general Pavilion pools are the private ones available, the most lovely of which is the Lake View room. You get your own little slice of paradise, walled off from the world but open out on to the lake. There’s no bad time to go, but I can certainly recommend a sunset visit, as the views are incredible. What’s more, when the sun is down, the pools take on an ethereal quality as the steams rise into the dark. Peace and warmth, what more can you ask for?
3. Skyline Rotorua
Another famous institution when visiting Rotorua is the Skyline centre. Beginning first with a gondola ride to the top of the mountain, you can take in any number of activities at the top. Overlooking the lake, you get an incredible view on a sunny day; when it is rainy, you seem to sit among the clouds themselves. From there, you can enjoy a range of adventurous activities such as the luge (downhill karts), mountain biking, sky swings and zip lines, and seemingly more every time I visit.
What was a special surprise this time was the Volcanic Hills wine tasting that you could also experience at the top of the hill. With grapes sourced from around New Zealand but made in Rotorua, they have an excellent range of wines to try and very friendly staff to guide you through the process. All this while looking out over the most incredible view. Certainly worth the ticket price!
4. Wai-O-Tapu - Thermal Wonderland
Although perhaps Te Puia is the more famous geothermal park near Rotorua, this time I visited the Wai-O-Tapu park just 30 mins south of the lake. This one features its own geyser, the Lady Knox geyser, which I was very lucky to arrive just in time to see! From there, there is a walking track which takes you around some of the spectacular sites and views in the park.
The main path takes you around the key sights; the Champagne Lake, so called for its bubbling surface, the Sinter Terraces where the water runs down and the Artist’s Palette where all the gorgeous colours mix. From there you can take the longer paths too which make a nice loop and allow you to see the incredible views all around. If you take them all in, it’s a 90 minute walk, finishing up near the the incredible Shrek-green lake on the way out. Quite the sight!
5. Karanda BnB
Of course, no trip is complete with somewhere nice to stay. While there are plenty of good hotels and motels near the lake, many of which have their own mini spas, nothing can really compare to the incredible Karanda BnB. With a near perfect rating on every booking site, this place came with a great reputation and completely delivered. Nestled high in the hills south-west of the lake, it comes with incredible views and immaculate vibes.
Hosted by Leslie and Ron, your every wish is taken care of. Breakfast is extensive and comes with the friendliest of conversations. You’re given a blow-by-blow run down of all the sites to see (many of the above were recommended!) including a map. And in the evenings, there is a gorgeous fireplace with romantic music for the perfect nightcap. The house is beautifully furnished, incredibly well-kept, and you have an exquisite private room to yourself. I cannot recommend the place enough!
So, maybe one day you’ll visit my neck of the woods and take in some of these amazing sights. Let me know if you ever do! Take care till next time - I have more holiday tips to share!
Beautiful.