About Lightweight Campers
Tourist places in Rotorua |
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| Tuesday, 06 May 2008 | |
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History
of Rotorua
Due to the crowds of visitors coming to take the cure or
merely to see the sights, Rotorua has now grown into a town of 54,000
inhabitants, with numerous hotels, motels, motor camps and other
accommodations. There are pubs and restaurants of all types and various
souvenir shops. For visitors approaching Rotorua from the south on Highway 5 it
is like entering
some kind of theme park.
As a result of the many private boreholes that have been drilled to supply water for baths and for heating, geothermal activity has declined sharply in some places. There are now restrictions on the use of thermal water. The country round lakes Rotorua and Tarawera, south of the Bay of Plenty, with its variety of volcanic phenomena, is the longest-established and most visited tourist area in New Zealand. All over this landscape are jets of hot steam issuing from clefts in the ground, geysers shooting water high into the air, bubbling pools of mud and glinting deposits of minerals all the colors of the rainbow on the hot subsoil, and everywhere there is a smell of sulfur, of greater or lesser intensity. The settlers who came here in the 19th C were filled with a mixture of curiosity, fear and wonder. The local Maoris had come to terms with their environment: they bathed in the thermal water and used it for heating and cooking. Later they acted as guides for white visitors. The tourist high spots in the 19th C were the gleaming pink and white sinter terraces at Lake Rotomahana, which were regarded as one of the natural wonders of the world.
Tourist
Attractions in Rotorua
Geothermal Fields
Ohinemutu - Maori
Meeting House
Ohinemutu - St
Faith's Church
The interior of St Faith's Church (1910; Anglican) is notable for the fine Maori carving and woven fabrics. One of the stained-glass windows shows Christ in the dress of a Maori chief walking on the water of Lake Rotorua. In the churchyard beside the church the dead are buried in whitewashed stone or concrete coffins resting on the hot ground. Among those buried here are the American missionary SM Spencer (1810-98) and Captain Gilbert Mair (1843-1923), who was a great friend of the Arawa and the only white man to be granted the full status of a chief. He had defended Ohinemutu against Hauhau raids and attacks by Te Kooti.
Rotorua - Government
Gardens
Rotorua - Mount
Ngongotaha
Rotorua - Polynesian
Spa
Behind Tudor Towers is a modern spa establishment, providing for a variety of sports. Its particular attraction is the three Polynesian Pools, which are supplied with water by three different springs. The whole area is pervaded with the scent of orchids. Polynesian Spa is New Zealand's leading international spa. Overlooking Lake Rotorua Polynesian Spa offers relaxation in 26 hot mineral spring pools in four areas (deluxe, adult, private, family pools), a Hot Springs Café and a Spa Essentials store. Visitors can indulge in a range of sumptuous hydro and dry spa relaxation therapies. Rotorua Museum of Art and History (formerly Tudor Towers) The most eye-catching feature in Government Gardens is the old half-timbered Bathhouse of Rotorua. Since the opening of a new spa establishment in the 1960s the former Bathhouse now contains the Rotorua Museum of Art and History. The promenade of Rotorua's famous Bathhouse is open to the public to access the roof of the iconic building. Visitors are given a cinema experience through 'Rotorua Stories' which highlights the world famous Pink and White Terraces, the devastating eruption of Mt Tarawera, the story of the Bathhouse and the history of the Arawa people.
Whakarewarewa - Maori
Cultural Center
Best
Buying Rotorua
There
are numerous Maori arts and crafts on sale in the city centre and at the
various tourist attractions. The quality varies from extremely professional
contemporary artwork to cheap nick-nacks. Popular items include
puonamu/greenstone (similar to jade) or bone jewellery, traditional weapons and
statues. This selection is accompanied by sheepskins and the normal tourist
giftware of t-shirts, caps, mugs and pens plastered with "Rotorua",
other words and pictures. More attractive and practical gifts can be found such
as simple clothing (jackets, shirts, ties, caps) with abstract maori designs on
them.
The
two main streets are Tutanekai and Hinemoa and the City Focus Square is within
walking distance, providing the services an information centre. There is an
abundance of craft and souvenir shops so if something uniquely New Zealand is
what you are wanting, this is the place to get it. There are also clothing and
fashion stores, ice cream parlours, sporting goods, pharmacies and of course
restaurants and cafes.
Rotorua
is a great place to buy traditional Maori crafts such as woodcrafts, jade
jewellery and items, the ever popular and visible Tiki, which is an important
symbol of good luck. Also a good town to also buy other goods, woollen
products, also Paua Shell jewellery, bowls - many beautiful items made of Paua.
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 May 2008 ) | |
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