Stop #3 - Rotorua

Our next stop was Rotorua. The town of Rotorua is all contained within the crater of a volcano. The area is known for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. In Te Puia’s Whakarewarewa Valley, there are bubbling mud pools and the 30 meter tall Pohutu Geyser, which erupts many times daily. It’s also home to a living Maori village and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, with traditional wood carving and weaving schools.
One of many geothermal sites in Rotorua
We spent our first day here at Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village. We loved seeing how this actual Maori Village functions today in the middle of this geothermal area. That evening we visited Redwoods Tree Walk. The tree walk is a set of 22 suspension bridges you walk high above the rainforest floor viewing the trees and foliage below. We took the night tour; famous for its lanterns display. It’s quite a sight! The next day we visited Te Puia, which is a Maori cultural center at a geothermal preserve with a dramatic geyser & crafts institute. That afternoon we visited a local hot springs pool; Waikite Valley Thermal Pools. A nice way to take a break from sightseeing.