Things to see and do Rotorua

If you have to visit only one geothermal site, this is it. Wai-o-Tapu (sacred waters) is New Zealand's Yellowstone. It's featured on every brochure extolling the country's beauty, and its photos have been seen around the world. The beauty of this reserve is reflected in its sumptuous hues: yellow for sulfur, reddish-brown for iron oxide, purple for manganese..

Also worth seeing are the Mud Pools, boiling pools of mud. Allow at least 2 hours to visit this magical place, cross the Champagne Pool and watch the Lady Knox Geyser awaken at 10.15 a.m. every day. The site is very touristy, but well laid out and absolutely unmissable. They allow you to fully appreciate the richness of the region's earth; you can soak up its vivid colors, so unusual in nature, and the smell of sulfur that gives these sites their personality, making them seem a little out of this world.

Guided tours are available to fully understand the cultural significance of these places. After the visit, and to avoid returning too quickly to the real world, you can relax in the on-site Café.

Your ticket allows you to enter and leave the park as you please, for 3 months! You can go to the park at 10 a.m. to watch Lady Knox erupt, and come back a little later for a stroll to avoid the crowds that often arrive immediately afterwards.

Located 20 minutes south of Rotorua and 45 minutes north of Taupo, this geothermal park is set in a nature reserve at the bottom of a valley. It's well worth the detour, as it's a superb site. It's recommended to spend at least an hour there, but you can easily get absorbed by the beauty of the landscapes and geothermal manifestations and spend 4 hours or more, if you like to take your time. You can extend your visit with a cruise on Lake Rotomahana, following in the footsteps of the Pink and White Terraces, destroyed by the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886.

In cities overflowing with tourist opportunities, it's always good to stop by the Visitor Center to pick up some brochures and get advice on what to do with the time you have. The Rotorua i-Site is very comprehensive and will give you a great overview of what the area has to offer. The staff can even help you with reservations.

The fairly nice building is easy to spot with its bell tower, a good landmark to orient yourself in town.

Te Puia is one of the region's Māori cultural centers, and undoubtedly the best option for the traveler in a hurry who wants to get a taste of all Rotorua has to offer: a walk through a geothermal valley, observation of the famous Pōhutu geyser, traditional cuisine, discovery of the Māori way of life, dance and haka performances, and presentation of traditional crafts at the Māori Arts and Crafts Centre.

The icing on the cake: Te Puia is also a conservation center for kiwis, so you can observe some of these birds in a specially adapted enclosure.

A beautiful forest to explore on foot, mountain bike or horseback, for a picnic or simply for pleasure. Not to be missed is the Redwoods Treewalk, a 12 m-high walk on bridges suspended between majestic redwoods. It's a great way to see the forest from a different angle. There's also a "Nightlights" option, where the forest and ferns are illuminated by 30 suspended lanterns. An experience that adds to the magic of the place!