The Rotorua Experience

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an immersive excursion into the historic spa region of Rotorua, where breathtaking geothermal activity and traditional Maori culture are among the chief draws. From the Tauranga pier, a scenic 90-minute spin inland past sprawling kiwifruit orchards leads to internationally renowned Te Puia and the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. Foremost among the sights you’ll encounter as you explore on foot here is Pohutu Geyser, a showy display of nature’s raw force as it erupts with steam and superheated water, sometimes as high as 100 feet. You’ll also see pools of boiling mud, silica terraces and hissing fissures – and visit Te Puia’s Arts & Crafts Institute where young Maori apprentices are taught the ancient art of carving and weaving by masters of these crafts. Entering the sacred marae, you’ll be presented with a Maori performance including the famous “haka” war dance, before making your way into the Wharekai dining hall for a hangi-inspired lunch, cooked in the traditional Maori method using hot rocks in an earthen oven. During your time at Te Puia, be sure to keep an eye out for the native kiwi bird. Handsome, furry and flightless, it’s been New Zealand’s national symbol since the First World War.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel across the NZ countryside by coach to visit a natural and cultural icon just outside Rotorua.
• Explore a steaming world of geothermal wonders at Te Puia, home to the famous Pohutu Geyser and more bubbling mud pools and hissing vents than you can count.
• See the traditional skills of the Maori culture being handed down from masters to their young apprentices at Te Puia’s Maori Arts & Crafts Institute.
• Enter the sacred marae for an exciting performance by Maori dancers, then relax over a savory lunch cooked in “hangi” earth oven style.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear lightweight, comfortable clothing.
• Flat, closed-toe walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.