Scenic Highlights

Top Rotorua scenic highlights

Beneath Rotorua, the forces that have shaped the landscape are still at work. Over millions of years, volcanic action has created mountains, lakes and large areas of geothermal activity. The scenery has a highly unique type of beauty.

Selected highlights at a glance

Mount Tarawera - a sacred volcano, a landmark and a playground

Mount Tarawera plays an important role in the history of New Zealand and the Rotorua region. It is sacred and under the guardianship of the Ngati Rangitihi Maori tribe.

In the 1800s, the Tarawera region was the centre of tourism in New Zealand. People travelled from all over the world to view the famous Pink and White Terraces, which were quickly becoming known as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. The terraces were destroyed on 10th June, 1886, in an eruption which killed more than 150 people and devastated the surrounding landscape. Violent explosions excavated huge craters, one of which is now filled by picturesque Lake Rotomahana.

Today you can see the immense, red crater of the mountain on a 4WD trip to the summit. Fit, adventurous travellers can enjoy a scree run down into the crater.

Geothermal activity is almost everywhere you look

From the moment you enter Rotorua, you know you are somewhere quite different. Sneaky threads of steam rise from parks and bush areas. The scent of sulphur wafts through the air - a hint of what's in store.

Minutes from the city centre, geysers of steaming water roar from the ground; pools of bubbling mud gurgle and plop; and dazzling silica terraces display a kaleidoscope of colour. Towering volcanoes, now sleeping giants, are unmistakable reminders of the landscape's turbulent past. Extinct volcanic craters provide the vessels for the region's lakes.

While Rotorua's major geothermal parks charge admission, it costs nothing to see an array of steaming fumaroles, boiling lakes and bubbling mud pools on a smaller scale at Sulphur Point, Kuirau Park and the Government Gardens.

The love story of Mokoia Island

Mokoia Island, in the centre of Lake Rotorua, was the setting for one of New Zealand's greatest love stories - the tale of Hinemoa and Tutanekai.

The beautiful maiden Hinemoa was the daughter of an influential chief. She lived on the eastern shores of Lake Rotorua and was regarded puhi (sacred), which meant that her tribe would choose her husband. Many suitors came seeking her hand, but none met the approval of her tribe.

On Mokoia Island in the centre of the lake lived a family of several brothers including Tutanekai, the youngest.

At a tribal gathering, where young warriors practiced their fighting skills, Tutanekai saw Hinemoa and fell in love. Tutanekai's weaponry prowess and good looks caught Hinemoa's eye, and she was smitten. However, neither could see a future together - Tutanekai was considered too lowly born to wed Hinemoa.

Poor, sad Tutanekai would sit on the shores of the island playing sorrowful music on his flute. The music would waft across the lake to where Hinemoa waited forlornly. Aware of what was going on, Hinemoa's people made a practice of pulling the tribe's heavy canoes all the way up the beach. But they didn't count on Hinemoa's ingenuity.

One night, determined to reach her love, Hinemoa fashioned a life-belt from empty gourds and swam towards the sound of Tutanekai's flute. She finally made it to Mokoia Island, but she had become so cold during her swim, she headed straight for the island's hot pool, Waikimihia. While she was warming herself, Tutanekai's slave came down to the pool to fetch water. In a gruff voice, Hinemoa called 'Mo wai te wai?' (For whom is the water?). The slave answered 'Mo Tutanekai'(For Tutanekai). Hinemoa grabbed the calabash he was carrying and smashed it on the side of the pool. When the slave returned to Tutanekai and told him what had happened, Tutanekai went to investigate. The two lovers were at last united, and Hinemoa's tribe accepted Tutanekai as her husband. A very happy ending.

Visitors to Mokoia can enjoy a soak in Waikimihia (now known as Hinemoa's Pool), on the south eastern side of the island.

Forest trails and waterfalls

One of Rotorua's most beautiful natural assets, Whakarewarewa Forest, is just a five minute drive from the city centre. You can take a leisurely walk under the towering Californian redwoods, hike to panoramic views of the city and lakes, take a horse trek or hire a mountain bike to speed through the trees.

Okere Falls Scenic Reserve is located 21 kilometres from Rotorua on Trout Pool Road off SH 33 (the Rotorua to Tauranga highway). There is a well-formed walking track with scenic lookouts over the Okere River and its spectacular waterfalls. The Okere River is the traditional river of Ngati Pikiao, a Te Arawa sub-tribe, who have made their home here for many years.

Whirinaki Forest Park is 90 kilometres south-east of Rotorua, off SH 38. The park, known as a 'dinosaur forest', has many tall trees that are centuries old. Sights include giant podocarps, views of the river cutting through an ancient lava flow and caves with pumice deposits - remnants of the Taupo eruption nearly 2000 years ago.

Ohinemutu at the edge of the lake

The thermal village of Ohinemutu was the region's original Ngati Whakaue settlement. The site was chosen because it had geothermal resources that could be used for cooking, bathing and heating.

A feature of Ohinemutu is St. Faiths Church, built in Tudor style in 1910. Its interior is richly decorated in woven and painted wall hangings and decorations. A window looking out over the lake shows a Maori Christ, in a traditional Maori cloak, who appears to be walking on the water.