EOTC opportunities to explore in and around Rotorua

By Heather Barker Vermeer

Industry Reporter Seen by many as the nation’s cultural capital, Rotorua ticks a lot of boxes for a lot of schools when planning a trip in this country.

Well-known for its geysers and geo-thermal pools, and oft en dubbed ‘Nature’s Spa of the South Pacifi c’, this sulphurous scented central North Island city has much more to explore. The lake-fi lled region has plenty to off er school groups of all ages, abilities and sizes, with its many traditional Māori experiences, rich natural landscapes, arts, activities and adventures.

Accessible by car or coach in a few hours from almost anywhere in the North Island, it’s a sensible option for travel. Direct fl ights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are also available. Once there, it’s an easy area to navigate by road, with 18 lakes off ering opportunities on the water. Many of the accommodation sites in Rotorua make use of the naturally heated water by providing spa pools on site. Lakeside accommodation options such as Blue Lake TOP 10 Holiday Park Rotorua are particularly ideal for school groups; cabins, motels, self-contained units, and camping options all provide a good balance of cost-eff ectiveness, cleanliness, and proximity to adventure with a back to nature buzz.

Holiday Park Managers can further extend learning opportunities by helping to arrange tours and activities. Call ahead to make sure your cabins or rooms are nice and close to the amenities; and remember to book ahead with larger groups, particularly if you aim to travel during December or January. P38

Image courtesy of Blue Lake TOP 10 Holiday Park Rotorua