8 minute read
ROAD TRIP - A JOURNEY THROUGH TIRAU
Cambridge to Rotorua
Cambridge to Tīrau via Thermal Explorer Hwy - 25min, 32.3km
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SIDE TRIP Piarere to Matamata via SH29 - 16min, 19km
SIDE TRIP Piarere to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari via Oreipunga Rd & Arapuni Rd - 31min, 29km
Tīrau to Rotorua via SH5 - 42min, 52km
© AA Traveller 2021
Leaving Cambridge, heading east, you go along a very picturesque section of SH1 to Tīrau, following the ribbon of Waikato River part way. Enjoy the quirky delights of Tīrau, famously touted as the world’s corrugated iron capital. Lining the main road are unconventional buildings. Inside a huge corrugated iron sheep dog is the town’s i-SITE Visitor Centre and nearby an enormous sheep is home to a wool and craft shop. Pick up a selection of home-made fudge, ice cream and local honey. Browse the handful of galleries and boutique clothing and homeware stores lining the main street before continuing on, through forestry, to Rotorua via SH 5.
HIGHLIGHTS
TE WAIHOU WALKWAY AND BLUE SPRING Follow the native bush laden boardwalk revealing mesmerising views of the crystal clear spring, 10km out of Tīrau on route to Rotorua.
TĪRAU MUSEUM Entering this privately owned gallery is like turning back the clock.Old furniture, lamps and radios mix with vintage machinery and horse-drawn vehicles.
THE REDWOODS, ROTORUA The towering California redwood trees in Whakarewarewa Forest are spellbinding. If you have wheels, there are 180km of all-ranging mountain bike trails and if you have stamina, several walking paths. Grab a free map from The Redwoods Visitor Centre and follow the colour-coded trail markers.
THE REDWOODS TREEWALK AND NIGHTLIGHTS Climb 12m into the trees via 23 suspension bridges and platforms. From dusk onwards, illuminations light up the forest, causing magical silhouettes and an enchanting glow.
The Redwoods
© Destination Rotorua Tourism
SKYLINE ROTORUA Make your way up Mt Ngongotaha for the gondola, Mountain Bike Park and luge, as well as dining, ziplines and a Skyswing that propels riders 50km upwards at a scream-inducing 150kmph.
KUIRAU PARK FREE FOOT BATH SPAS Centrally located, a handful of walkways lead to the crater lake, gurgling mud pools and a free thermal foot bath. There are public barbecues and a weekly Saturday market between 7am and 1pm. .
R&R
• POLYNESIAN SPA – Sink into four hot spring bathing areas with serene lake views.
• SECRET SPOT HOT TUBS – Submerged in the Whakarewarewa Forest Park, book a private wooden hot tub with tub-side chilled drinks.
Secret Spot Hot Tubs
© Destination Rotorua Tourism
• VOLCANIC HILLS WINERY – Take the gondola up to Sklyine Rotorua to sample a range of Volcanic Hills’ wines.
• EAT STREAT – A collection of diverse dining options lining both sides of Tutanekai Street.
MĀORI CULTURE
NEW ZEALAND MĀORI ARTS AND CRAFTS INSTITUTE Located at Te Puia, alongside the national schools of carving, weaving and traditional arts, watch expert crafts people showcase 800-year-old techniques.
MITAI MĀORI VILLAGE This traditional Māori village offers a guided bush walk, cultural performances and ground-cooked hangi meal. Enjoy a spine-tingling haka performance as well as the grace and beauty of a poi dance and waiata singing.
TĀMAKI MĀORI VILLAGE Enter a world of proud warriors and ancient traditions in this pre-European Māori village.
Tāmaki daytime tour
© Tāmaki Māori Village
Experiences include ceremonial rituals and storytelling, authentic crafts, warrior training and a strong community welcome. 15km from Central Rotorua.
HUI E! KAI E! TWILIGHT EXPERIENCE Part of Tamaki Māori Village, return at dusk to help prepare a hāngī dinner, enjoy live performances and stories shared by firelight.
WHAKAREWAREWA – THELIVING MĀORI VILLAGE Home of the Tūhourangi, Ngāti Wāhiao, take a guided tour of their village. The Whaka Geothermal Trails traverse this Jurassic-like landscape,encountering hot spring lakes,mud pools and geysers.
SIDE TRIP to MATAMATA
You don’t need to be a fanatical Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fan to become lost in the magical and whimsical world that is the Hobbiton movie set – and what Matamata is best known for. The detailed fantasyland complete with more than 40 unique hobbit holes, including Bilbo’s house, and The Green Dragon™ Inn (which serves specially brewed beers) has captivated both hard-core movie buffs and inquisitive passers-by just the same. Wander through the heart of the Shire and hear how it all began. Matamata also has other scenic delights. Wairere Falls is New Zealand’s highest waterfall at 153m. The walking track reveals native bush and sweeping views across the valley and Waikato Plains.
View from a Hobbit hole
© Hobbiton Movie Set
ROTORUA
The unique geothermal environment here is a surprise to the senses and almost unbelievable, with bubbling hot mud pools, steaming geysers, neon-coloured microbiology in fizzing hot springs and the strong smell of sulphur permeating the air. Rotorua is known as one of New Zealand’s adventure capitals but what makes Rotorua special is that a stay can be equally relaxing. A gentle walk around one of the lakes, a stroll through a forest of towering redwood trees or a soak in geothermal hot pools will do you good. To learn about Rotorua’s past, Government Gardens was once a Tudor-style spa bath house and now hosts a museum and award-winning exhibition detailing the area’s popularity as a 20th century spa attraction. There is a lot of fascinating history throughout Rotorua and, of course, the opportunity to become familiar with Māori culture which is fully celebrated in Rotorua.
Government Gardens, Rotorua
© Destination Rotorua
DON’T MISS!
GLOWWORMS BY KAYAK Local companies know exactly where to find an abundance of these bright butted critters. Simply choose your vessel: kayak, stand-up paddleboard or Canadian canoe.
SECLUDED PICNICS WITH VOLCANIC AIR Take off for a scenic float plane tour over Lake Rotorua and surrounds. Landing beside a secluded beach for a picnic lunch.
RAINBOW SPRINGS NATURE PARK The park remains closed but the National Kiwi Hatchery Tours are ongoing. Observe conservation in action at the world’s leading kiwi hatchery and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at efforts made to save this iconic bird from extinction.
Rainbow Springs, Rotorua
© Rotorua Tourism
FAMILY FUN
• WINGSPAN NATIONAL BIRD OF PREY CENTRE – ‘Flight of the Falcon’ shows are guaranteed to impress with the birds’ lightning speed steep climbs and swoops.
• 3D TRICK ART GALLERY – Sit inside a Van Gogh painting, hang from an icy cliff edge or get inside a snow globe. Optical illusions abound.
• SKYLINE ROTORUA LUGE AND GONDOLA – Race the family go kart style, soak up the views and dine in the café at the top.
• ROTORUA’S PARADISE VALLEY SPRINGS – Stroll through the aviary, chat to comical alpine parrots and meet the lions.
Mountain biking & Skyline Rotorua Luge & Gondola
© Destination Rotorua
THRILLING ADVENTURE
WHITE-WATER RAFTING The highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world is found down Rotorua’s Kaituna River... all 7m of it!
VELOCITY VALLEY Here you’ll find giant sky swings, jet boats, aerodynamic racing pods, bungy jumps, simulated skydives and a soft airbag to practice bike tricks.
Velocity Valley ‘V-Force’
© Velocity Valley
ZORB Little known fact, zorbing was conceived in Rotorua. Roll down four hillside tracks inside a giant inflatable ball, then jump into the complimentary hot tubs.
ROTORUA CANOPY TOURS Fly above a canopy of native trees and see the forest just like the birds do!
RIVER SLEDGING Effectively white-water rafting without a raft. Instead, riders cling onto a small board and come face-to-face with grade three rapids, wild eddies and 2m-high waves, courtesy of Kaitiaki Adventures..
THE LUGE This family-friendly go-kart (of sorts) can be driven downhill at great speed on a specially designed track. Catch the gondola up Mt Ngongotaha to access the start line.
ROTORUA DUCK TOURS Ride a converted WWII amphibious truck-cum-boat from the road into the water.
THE BURIED VILLAGE
THE BURIED VILLAGE is New Zealand’s most visited archaeological site. Te Wairoa was a village established by Christian missionaries but survived less than 40 years before it was completely buried by the eruption of Mt Tarawera in 1886. The Pink and White Terraces were considered to be one of the Wonders of the World but were also destroyed. Download the free Waimangu App for a digital reconstruction of these famed terraces.
The Buried Village
© Buried Village, Rotorua
GET GEOTHERMAL!
TE PUIA Discover over 500 geothermal wonders, Maori culture and performance. Pohutu Geyser is the southern hemisphere’s largest, erupting up to 20 times per day, to heights of 30m.
HELL’S GATE One of New Zealand’s most active geothermal fields. Discover the largest hot waterfall in the southern hemisphere and visit the mud spa.
WAIMANGU VALLEY The world’s youngest geothermal valley offers self-guided walks, a boat cruise and a newly re-opened full-day guided tour.
STEAMING CLIFFS KAYAK TOURS While exploring Waimangu Valley, kayak across Lake Rotomahana surrounded by steaming cliffs, exploring geothermal features unique to Rotorua.
TARAWERA TRAIL A 15km bush walk to TeRātā Bay and its hot water beach. Allow 4.5-hours one way. Water taxi back.
Te Puia Geyser, Rotorua
© Tourism Rotorua
SIDE TRIP to SANCTUARY MOUNTAIN
Discover a world that once was when you walk through Sanctuary Mountain’s pest proof fence – one of the longest in the world. The ancient forest is a safe haven for native endangered species including birds, skinks, geckos, frogs, bats and insects. Tuatara (the endangered reptiles dating back to pre-dinosaur times) can be spotted basking on rocks. Take a guided daytime tour to reveal the wonders of the sanctuary. At night, you can listen out for the calls of kiwi and gaze at twinkling glowworms.
Rifleman / titipounamu
© Department of Conservation
