Rotorua “Feel the Spirit”

Spirituality

The heartland of New Zealand, spiritual home to the Maori and host to some of the worlds most incredible earth forces -Rotorua captures and celebrates all that is precious and unique - about this remarkable country.

Hundreds of lakes sparkle in the landscape around Rotorua. The city of Rotorua is nestled on the shore of the largest, Lake Rotorua.   The lake shapes have been formed and altered by cataclysmic volcanic activity in times past. Many are steeped in Maori legend and history - you'll hear stories of phantom canoes seen gliding in the mist, and of lovers who swam the lakes to secretly meet upon their shores. The lakes are ringed by native bush, forest and farmland.

Geothermal activity

Geothermal Wonders

Just minutes from city centre, you will see geysers of hissing, steaming, scalding water roar from deep within the earth’s crust and hurl spray 100ft into the air. Pools of bubbling mud pop and belch like pots of porridge.

In geothermal fields south and north-east of the city, crater lakes are constantly refilled with hot water, rich mineral deposits paint the landscape from a multi-coloured palette from white to turquoise, steam escapes from cracks in cliff faces - and your camera will work overtime to record the stark beauty and splendor of our volcanic landscape.

Towering volcanoes, now dormant, are unmistakable reminders of the land’s turbulent past. Over time many volcanic caldera (a basin formed when the earth slumps following the emptying of a magma chamber during volcanic activity) have formed a chain of sparkling lakes teeming with trophy trout.

Adventure Attractions

Many of the district’s adventure attractions are based around our two greatest assets - geothermal activity and lakes. You can choose to go tandem skydiving, rafting, jet boating, bungy jumping, take a helicopter flight the list of adventure activities is endless.

At 290m above sea level, Rotorua is located on a volcanic plateau which encompasses most of the Central North Island. Geological records show ceaseless activity in this area for millennia, ranging from minor hot springs through to huge prehistoric ignimbrite flows which smothered the entire landscape. Most ‘recent’ eruptions were the Taupo eruption of around 1800 years ago and the Tarawera eruption of 1886.

Relaxation

Geothermal activity provides the source of Rotorua’s fame as a spa resort. Relax in pools of natural hot mineral water, wrap yourself in mud, soothe body and soul with an Aix massage under warm thermal water, and experience for yourself why Rotorua has developed its reputation as Nature’s Spa of the South Pacific. Rotorua offers the opportunity to encounter some of the world’s most incredible earth forces, so come visit us and discover the ‘Spirit of the Earth’.