Rotorua
The seething power of inner earth comes to the surface in Rotorua.
Explore the geothermal areas and discover the unique culture of
New Zealand’s Maori people.
Rotorua is one of the original tourist destinations in New Zealand
- it has been welcoming visitors for more than 200 years. From the
moment people arrive in Rotorua they know they're somewhere quite
different. There is a scent of sulphur in the air. At nearby geothermal
hotspots, there are spouting geysers, boiling mud pools and warm
geothermal springs. Silica terraces are naturally decorated with
a kaleidoscope of colours.
Taupo
A great lake and an even greater choice of adventures. The powerful
beauty of the volcanic landscape provides a dramatic backdrop to
everything you do.
Lake Taupo is a great vacation destination in both summer and winter.
Trout fishing is a major attraction - it’s now over 100 years since
the first trout fry were released into the lake and today it is
one of the last true wild trout fisheries in the world. Skiing and
adventure activities are other reasons to visit. And when you’re
not on the lake or up a mountain, you’ll find the Taupo town centre
crammed with cafes and interesting shops. The nearby Huka Falls
area is great for picnics and nature walks - or you could take a
thrilling jet boat ride right to the foot of the thundering water.
Ruapehu
The Ruapehu district is located in the central North Island, midway
between Auckland and Wellington. The Desert Road section of Highway
1 is the eastern boundary and scenic Highway 4 provides access to
the centre of the region.
The 80,000ha Tongariro National Park (a World Heritage Area) is
the centre of attraction for this district. The active volcano Mount
Ruapehu dominates the landscape, rising to 2,797m from the surrounding
countryside. It has Mount Ngauruhoe (also active) and Mount Tongariro
to keep it company. The three volcanoes are a spectacular sight
on a clear day - in the colder months they are capped in snow. Mount
Ruapehu is the site of the North Island's premier ski fields - Whakapapa
and Turoa.
|
