We visited Rotorua in 2018. It was torrential rain all the time we were there. Despite that, it was the place I most wanted to revisit.
The first morning was spent touring round some of the lakes in the region.
And a walk along the Okere Falls, this is a pleasant walk alongside the river with multiple drops and rapids.
On the way back to Rotorua we went on the Redwoods Walk. A treehuggers delight. An aerial walkway suspended between mature redwood trees. For the most part these were planted around 100 years ago, so big but not California Redwood big.
But there was a cross section of a tree that was over 2,000 years old.
Rotorua is associated with the geo-thermals, and the next day we saw a few.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley was formed after an eruption in 1886. It is a fascinating place as you follow water down the valley.
There are several lakes, and flat areas where the minerals and algae have coloured the rocks.
When we arrived there were few people and they were well spread out. The valley is not particularly developed, and the vegetation changes along the valley. The valley felt very natural and unspoilt.
After a couple of hours walking we reached the end of the valley where it reached the lake - and caught a bus back to the car park
After the valley there was the mud pool. Gas is constantly bubbling through the hot liquid mud, making some quite “interesting” sounds. There was a mist ver the pool and getting downwind really cleared the sinuses! It was one of those times I was happy to have a terrible sense of smell!
Back into Rotorua we went on a walk to the lake via Kuirau Park. This is a geothermal park that would be a major feature almost anywhere else, in Rotorua it’s just a public park.
And then at the lake it was a visit to the Polynesian Spa. I found my favourite pool, a 40 degrees alkaline pool, where I basically cooked but with great views over Lake Rotorua.
