The most beautiful tourist attractions in Rotorua, New Zealand

Rotorua is the heart of New Zealand's geothermal attractions

The Waimangu Volcanic Valley is one of the most popular places to see boiling mud

Steam silica terraces, and a series of walkways allow visitors to view the smoke-filled craters

The strange terraces of sour yellow and lime green gracefully, as well as the crater of Hell with its huge geyser.

Rotorua Museum

Amidst peaceful city gardens, the museum is situated on the shores of Lake Rotorua

It is an old house in the ornate Tudor style that now houses the Rotorua Museum

Inside, a series of permanent exhibitions tell the story of Rotorua's cultural history

From pre-European times to the present

The museum's basement provides a look at the building's origins in 1908

And splendid ethnology exhibits extend to the inhabitants of the Pacific Ocean.

Maori village

Amidst the steam vents and hot pools of the Maori geothermal area in Rotorua

It is a Maori village in Whakarewarewa that the Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao tribes welcome visitors.

To experience the culture and heritage of the Maori people

Guided tours of the village include a performance of Haka (and other traditional Maori songs)

by Te Pakira Cultural Group

Take a look at how locals use geothermal energy for cooking and heating.

Te Boya

Te Puia has plenty of geothermal wonders to explore

Pohutu Geyser is the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere and sprays water up to 30 meters into the air.

In eruptions that can last for days on end (one eruption lasted 250 days)

But it will most likely last for a few minutes, and there is another geyser near the hotel

It also features regular albeit smaller eruptions, in addition to the sparkling mud pools in the area.

Hells Gate Geothermal Park

Nestled amidst 50 acres of thermal activity

It includes a waterfall in the southern hemisphere and some of the most active hot alluvium

Kakahi Falls was once used for bathing

by Maori warriors with rolling water cascading over the rocks at a constant 40°C.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

considered as Waitomo Glowworm Caves One of the most famous sights in New Zealand

It is a deep cave system of limestone, strewn with huge stalactites

It is home to hundreds of thousands of glow worms that illuminate the ceilings

The rock walls are in a wonderful display of tiny twinkling lights

By boat trips (every half hour) heading about 250 meters into the subterranean passages

For these cathedral-like caves to witness the phenomenon.

Mount Ngongotha ​​Scenic Reserve

This forested reserve is on the volcanic cone of Mount Ngongota (757 meters high)

It has two excellent and easy walking tracks on the edge of Rotorua

The Nature Walk offers a short three kilometer stroll through the local bush

With many information boards highlighting the local fauna along the way.

Mocoya Island

The sacred island of Mokoya is an important wildlife sanctuary for some of New Zealand's rare and endangered birds.

For the local Te Arawa Maori tribe, this island on Lake Rotorua is steeped in ancient legends

It is the setting for the Maori love story of star-crossed lovers Hinemoa and Totaniki

Guided tours of the island included

Opportunities to spot local bird species such as kiwis, cockatoos, and rugs.

Tarawera Trail

The Tarawera Trail runs along the mountainous coast of Lake Tarawera for 15 km

For panoramic views of the green expanses of the countryside and sparkling lakes

Riders can set up camp at designated camping grounds along the way

But it's also an excellent day tour to experience the rolling landscapes of the lake areas around Rotorua

The trail ends at Te Rata Bay (also known as Hot Water Beach) where a natural geyser flows into the lake.

Werenaki Forest Park