Natural Thermal Spa pools of Rotorua, New Zealand

While I’m on the road to Central Java, fellow travel blogger Nik Tjhinn writes a guest post for us, sharing some secrets he found in New Zealand’s Sulphur City. Check out his stylish blog Unearthing Asia to uncover the best of Asia.

“Kia ora, welcome to New Zealand!” so read one of the many signs that one would no doubt find when in New Zealand. The Kiwi country down south is fiercely proud of their indigenous Maori culture and unique geographic features, one that is famed world-wide thanks to the smashing success of the blockbuster we all knew and loved (or by at least half the world population, the males!).

There are plenty to see and do all around New Zealand, at both the Northern and the Southern Island. You’ll be hard-pressed for choices, and at most sites there will be activities to fit all ages and interest. Rotorua is one such point of interest, a charming little town upon which visitors can base themselves and explore the surrounding geothermal activities, magical glow-worm caves, and experience Maori culture.

Flickr photo by Phillip Capper

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

The Waitomo glow-worm caves, a good 2-3 hours ride away from Rotorua, is an excellent side-trip to bring your kids to. The experience is a lot like watching the star-studded sky at night, only up-close and personal! The Waitomo glowworm is unique to New Zealand, so this is a famed attraction for both local and foreign visitors.

The avalanche of choices were simply overwhelming, and I had to skip a good few attractions that caught my eyes. The Hell’s Gate (Wai Ora Spa) is one such attraction that we decided to skip, mainly because of budgetary reasoning. It’s a thermal park where you can check out the mud pools, hot springs, and towards the end try out the mud-bath spa.

Te Puia Maori Cultural Centre

There was also the Te Puia cultural centre, where you can experience indigenous Maori culture and see for yourself how the ancient locals uses the geothermal waters for cooking, bathing and even therapeutic usages.

        Maori dance at Te Puia. Photo by Steve and Jemma Copley

Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Park

I did however, had the chance to feel the heat (literally) at the Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, a volcanic area in which we walk through a volcanic craters, geysers, hot springs and unique colorful rocks caused by the reaction with the chemicals from the volcanic waters. A suggestion would be to come early in the morning, around 10 am, so you can view the Lady Knox geysers jetting her streams up high (only once a day).

There are three different routes you can take to walk through the park, varying in degrees of difficulty and length. Each of the route invariably takes you by the colorful Champagne Pool up-close and personal, where you can feel the hot steam rising up from the bubbling hot water. The water reacts with the volcanic rocks to give off an orange colored glow, a very pretty combination.

Wai-O-Tapu, Rotorua. Photo by jopetsy

The longest walk is around an hour’s worth of trekking, and you’ll be advised that there are no tourist information booth and the likes once you’re in the park itself. Be prepared, bring your own snacks and drinks and take your time through the steaming hot park!

The hard and steep slope was invariably worth the visit however, and towards the end you’ll get to enjoy a mesmerizing view of the Lake Ngakoro. Here’s where the acidic water flows towards, and you can enjoy unique colors given off by the acids joining up with a larger body of water.

After a good day’s of exploring and trekking, we then went to the Polynesian Spa after dinner for a well deserved relaxation and pampering. The mineral hot spring spa is open till up to 11pm, with the last pool entries at 10.15 pm, and I suggest that you visit during the night. That way, it’ll be less crowded and you’ll have the chance to enjoy the beautiful star-studded night sky as you lounge by the spa.

Rotorua certainly deserves the attention it garnered amongst local and foreign visitors. My only regret was not having enough time to enjoy it to the fullest, and I’ll be sure to be make a return visit to New Zealand’s Sulphur City in future!