We spent three days in Rotorua – well-known for its fascinating geothermal activity, Māori culture, hot springs and mud pools.
HELL’S GATE
Hell’s Gate geothermal reserve was formed approximately 10,000 years ago when an ancient lake, which covered the whole area to a depth of 30m, drained to the sea over a six-month period creating the two lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti.
Subsequently, a series of hydrothermal eruptions occurred creating the pools and other geothermal features seen today. This particular reserve was given its English name by the famous playwright George Bernard Shaw in the early 1900s. The phrase he used when he visited was “this must be the gateway to hell” – the local Māori were so taken with him during his visit that they allowed the English name to stick.
We were taken on a tour by a local Māori guide, firstly around the geothermal pools and then into the forest. We learned so many interesting facts and heard many Māori stories. The men of our group even joined in with a “whetero” (pronounce wh as f) – this is the tongue-sticking-out-action and cry typically done in the haka and other forms of Māori performing art.
After our tour, we headed to the hot pools and the mud baths!
REDWOODS TREE WALK
After Hell’s Gate, we had a (very) late lunch and then headed to the Redwoods Tree Walk for a high rise adventure! We arrived at dusk, so caught the sunset and then carried on into the darkness.
WHAKAREWAREWA
Next on our list of things to do here was to visit a Māori village – we chose Whakarewarewa, still home to the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, where the ancient traditions of their ancestors are maintained today.
Our guide took us on a fascinating trail around the village and explained the various traditions still used today, including “hangi” (steam cooking food), communal bathing and laundry and boiling vegetables.
We learned how they regulate the heat of their baths (the community still bathe together early in the morning or in the evening) by opening or closing carved channels with cloth, carrying the hot geothermal water leading to their baths. There are then 6 or 7 baths of different temperature for you to chose depending on your preference.
The concentration of natural minerals leaves a smooth, silky feeling on your skin. This also means there’s no need to use soap or shampoo in the bath.
We then headed round the outskirts of the village to see the geyser in action…
… then we were treated to a Māori singing and dancing performance…
And a special treat for everyone was Martin joining in with the Haka!!
After that we enjoyed a walk around the incredible geothermal pools. Kate and Sylvie were also interviewed by a Vietnamese TV production team – a slightly quirky point in the day!
Back to the hotel we went and, after a 2 hour swim for the children, we headed out again in search of waterfalls and trout.
OKERE FALLS WALK
The Okere Falls Walk is an easy and well signposted bushwalk with scenic lookouts over the Okere river and it’s spectacular waterfalls. We started out in the early evening and ended up trekking back to the car in darkness!
One bit of the path led us down many steps through the rock face to the Tutea Caves right on the waters edge. Little is known about the history of the caves but they are associated with Tutea, a local chief. Some sources suggest women and children hid in these caves during times of war, but the only things found there these days are the occasional glowworm!
Supper tonight was courtesy of a little Tunisian restaurant we found in Rotorua, serving the most delicious kascrute and Berber rice (a step up from the peanut butter sandwiches we had for lunch!).
So that’s our time in Rotorua up… and off we head towards Lake Taupo, where we are for the next couple of nights.
Coyle Family Adventures 