Travel to Rotorua's New Zealand

Taking in the New Zealand experience means immersing yourself into nature's canvas of earthy sensations and surreal discoveries. Many who've been to these Pacific gems are left in dumbfounded awe, and any skeptic is quick to be converted of the opinion that the place really is a bit of paradise on earth.

An essential part of this experience must easily be spent in Rotorua, found in the central part of New Zealand's North Island. It is found in the Rotorua Lakes District, a series of lakes carved from the craters of extinct volcanoes now teeming with rainbow trout and up to 1.8 million visitors annually. The area can be reached by car, which would take approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes or by air, taking 45 minutes, both from New Zealand's capital city of Auckland.

The best time to go to Rotorua would be during the summer, which runs from December to February, with relatively mild temperatures ranging within 21-29°C. All sorts of water activities are within easy access. There are several easily accessible lakes open for fishing and there are plenty of friendly professional guides even, who will gladly lend fishing neophytes a hand. For those who prefer more "splashy" adventures, there's water skiing, kayaking, windsurfing, and white water rafting, to name a few. Cruises are a tranquil way to enjoy the serene mood of the lakes.

The unique feature of Rotorua is its natural thermal waters, believed to have therapeutic qualities. There are a handful of thermal parks like Wai-O-Tapu, Te Puia and Whakarewarewa that are only a short drive from the city center. What you experience in these parks is a display of raw nature untainted by the monuments of modern civilization-raw, unfettered might. Crevices spurt warm currents of geothermal steam, geysers spew hot jets of water from under the earth, mud pools bubble and ebb through the earth. Expansive pools of thermal waters reek of the stench of volcanic sulfur while emitting the surreal glow of neon-colored minerals that pervade it. The pools are colored in beautiful, bright hues of green, blue, yellow, red, and orange that you can be so tempted to jump right in the swirl of colors. After all the sightseeing, you can wind down in the waters yourself for a soothing, healing dip. There are also many other therapeutic spa services being offered, including Maori massages, volcanic rock treatments and natural mud treatments.

Throughout Rotorua, you'll see monuments erected by Maori, the native settlers of New Zealand. Being a sanctuary for the Maori, it's the perfect place to learn about their culture and immerse yourself in their way of life. Most of the thermal parks will have portions dedicated to the preservation of Maori culture and crafts, but what would truly be memorable after a tiring day is taking part in a traditional Maori feast, the hangi. A visit to the Maori Village will treat and educate you on the Maori way of life, as they share you their rituals, dances, songs, myths, and stories. The hangi promises to be a unique experience, as you watch a feast being cooked the traditional way over hot rocks and a bonfire.

Drop by the Agrodome in your spare time and you'll have a shot at a bunch of activities distinctly New Zealand. There's a surprisingly wholesome and entertaining sheep-shearing show-a fresh take on the farm shows we used to go to for first grade field trips. There's also the Agrojet, which a thrilling high-speed, err…speedboat ride. Well, they might just do these rides a bit more menacingly in the Southern hemisphere, so why not give it a try? There's also the Zorb, where you're literally strapped inside a spherical metal cage for a 'bounce' down the slope, 360-degree style! For those into the pulsating, heart-wrenching activities, there's bungee jumping and free fall to challenge your wits' end, too!

Not very far from the Agrodome is the Kiwi Conservation Center, and the little kiwi being New Zealand's gem of a bird, this side trip is a must! Check the Center's schedules at tourist information centers because tours-and if you're lucky enough, a nursery feeding session-are only given at select times during the day. Adjacent to this is Rainbow Springs Nature Park, a calming side trip if you feel like trekking through some pristine woods.

It's most recommendable to stay overnight at the very least to have enough time to take in the sights and pleasures of Rotorua. Many motels around the city and its outlying district offer satisfactory accommodation at very reasonable prices. It's easy to get around town via taxi, but costlier. Rental cars will save you a fortune and make it so much easier for you to get around the various attractions since it's quite a long walk from one to the other. Rotorua is easily the perfect weekend escape from the urban stresses of Auckland.