ROAD TRIP - Cambridge to Rotorua

A journey through Tirau

Cambridge to Tīrau via Thermal Explorer Hwy 25min, 32.3km

Tīrau to Rotorua via SH 5 42min, 52km

SIDE TRIP - Piarere to Matamata via SH 29 16min, 19km

SIDE TRIP - Piarere to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari via Oreipunga Rd & Arapuni Rd 31min, 29km

From vast forest to a landscape with many lakes, this is a road that leads to exceptional natural beauty.

Leaving Cambridge, heading east, you go along a very picturesque section of SH 1 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.

ROTORUA

A visit to Rotorua leaves its guests in awe. Pictureperfect outlooks abound, with its boundaries hugging four lakes including the idyllic Lake Rotorua, the Blue and Green lakes with hues to match, and Lake Tarawera. Plus another gem, Lake Ōkareka, is very close.

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.

In the tunnel

© Skyline Luge

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 base camp

© Graeme Murray

> 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.

HIGHLIGHTS

THE BURIED VILLAGE 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 sadly were also destroyed.

Try their new VR experience giving a grippingly immersive recreation. You can also download the free Waimangu App for a digital reconstruction of these famed terraces.

Buried Village, Rotorua

© Buried Village, Rotorua

TE WAIHOU WALKWAY AND BLUE SPRING Follow the native bushladen boardwalk revealing mesmerising views of the crystal clear spring, 10km out of Tīrau on route to Rotorua.

WHAKAREWAREWA FOREST LOOP This 33km mountain bike trail is perfect for confident riders of any age and fitness level. With multiple entry and exit points dispersed throughout the forest and beautiful lookouts to stop off at.

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.

Redwoods Altitude

© Redwoods Altitude

SKYLINE ROTORUA Make your way up Mt Ngongotaha on the gondola and try your hand at the luge, withthree new tracks to take on. You’ll also find mountain biking tracks, ziplines and a Skyswing to keep your adrenalin up. Top off your day with a fine dining experience with spectacular views.

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 anda weekly Saturday market between 7am and 1pm.

Enrich your stay by learning about Māori culture through art, history and nature.

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.

TĒ PĀ TŪ (formerly Tāmaki Māori Village) Enter a world ofproud warriors and ancient traditions in this pre-European Māori village. Experiences include ceremonial rituals and storytelling, authentic crafts, warrior training and a strong community welcome.

TE PUIA This geothermal park is packed full of experiences, from cultural performances to the Pōhutu geyser and now night visits as well as a kiwi conservation programe. Their new Steambox experience offers visitors the chance to cook their own hāngī in a natural steam vent.

NEW ZEALAND MĀORI ARTS AND CRAFTS INSTITUTE Located at Te Puia, alongside the national schools of carving, weaving and traditional arts, watch expert craftspeople showcase 800-year-old techniques.

WHAKAREWAREWA – THE LIVING 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. Before you visit, please make contact to check the village is open. At the time of going to print, the village was temporarily closed.

Tē Pā Tū

© Tē Pā Tū fomerly the Tāmaki Maori Village

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.

THE NATIONAL KIWI HATCHERY Head off on a tour to observe conservation in action at the world’s leading kiwi hatchery and get a behind the scenes glimpse at efforts being made to help keep this iconic bird from extinction.

Cassie Cave glowworms, Rotorua

© Rotorua Tourism

THRILLING ADVENTURE

RIVER SLEDGING Effectively white-water rafting without a raft. Instead, riders cling onto a small board and come faceto-face with grade three rapids, wild eddies and 2m-high waves, courtesy of Kaitiaki Adventures.

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.

ROTORUA ZIPLINES For maximum fun and top family memories, zipline over Ōkere Falls, whizz through the treetops and across swingbridges.

THE LUGE Catch the gondola up Mt Ngongotaha then race your friends along some of their latest tracks.

OFF ROAD NZ Buckle up for a pulse-racing ride through native bush in a monster 4x4, or race a 390cc 4-stroke kart on New Zealand’s longest outdoor circuit.

ZORB Little known fact, zorbing was conceived in Rotorua. Roll down four hillside tracks inside a giant inflatable ball, then hop into a hot tub.

ROTORUA CANOPY TOURS Soar like a bird above the native tree top canopy.

White-water rafting, Kaituna River, Rotorua

© James Heremaia

FAMILY FUN

• AGRODOME – Entertaining farm shows, sheering and herding demonstrations, tours and cute farmyard animals round off this very Kiwi experience.

• ROTORUA’S PARADISE VALLEY SPRINGS – Stroll through the aviary, chat to comical alpine parrots and meet the lions.

• 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.

• WINGSPAN NATIONAL BIRD OF PREY CENTRE – ‘Flight of the Falcon’ shows are guaranteed to impress with the birds’ lightning speed steep climbs and swoops.

GET GEOTHERMAL!

TE PUIA Discover over 500 geothermal wonders, Māori culture and performance. Pohutu Geyser is the southern hemisphere’s largest, erupting up to 20 times per day, to heights of 30m.

Te Puia + Pohutu Geyser, Rotorua

© Rotorua Tourism

WAI-O-TAPU THERMAL WONDERLAND This famous volcanic area has been closed for renovation but will reopen on 22 October 2022.

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 Te Rātā Bay and its hot water beach. 4.5-hours one way. Water taxi back.

Waimangu Valley

© Rotorua Tourism

SIDE TRIP - 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.

Hobbiton Movie Set

© Rotorua Tourism

SIDE TRIP - 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. Located in Pukeatua, this 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.

Bellbird/korimako

© Shellie Evans