- Where to find: New Zealand, North Island, 3 hours from Auckland;
- How to get there: by plane from major cities of the country or by car from Auckland
Not all tourists like to visit exclusively in civilized places, strolling through museums or sunbathing on the beach. Sometimes you want to find an unusual corner of nature, where it fascinates with its mystery. In New Zealand, you will definitely get a chance to realize your dream by visiting the mysterious valley of Rotorua. It is located in the central part of the North Island of this country and occupies the ancient volcanic plateau of Taupo.
Despite the fact that the conditions for living here can not be called comfortable, the first people from the Maori tribe settled here over a thousand years ago. In their language, the name of the valley sounds like Takiva-Vaiariki, and it is translated as "Hot Water Country".
The center of Rotorua is the small town of the same name - a real Mecca for tourists. The settlement is surrounded by 11 lakes, but was built on the shore of the largest of them, whose name coincides with the name of the valley and the city. Among the Maori aborigines, this outpost of civilization among wildlife is known as Te Rotorua Nui-a-Kautamamomoi.
In the valley, a lot of balneological resorts have been built, where patients from all over the world come. After bathing in hot water springs and mud baths can restore even greatly shaken health.
The magic of the valley
Rotorua in New Zealand is the center of powerful thermal activity, which determines the local terrain and climate. There is no clear horizon: clouds of steam are rising above the ground, gurgling is heard from the numerous mud ponds because of the bubbles rising upwards, in the gorges, like poisonous snakes, sizzle the sulfur fumarolic fields. It seems strange that here people could once inhabit, but the terrain was not native to one generation of Maori.
Around the lake Rotorua there are dozens of geysers throwing their jets to a height of about 4-5 m. Watching them is simply an unforgettable sight, because sometimes they beat simultaneously, and sometimes one after another. With this majestic picture, there is not a single show invented by a man.
Attractions in the Rotorua Valley
Of the main attractions of the valley, worthy of attention of even experienced travelers, we note:
- Geysers of Pohutu and "The Prince of Wales Feathers". The latter emerged only in June 1886 as a consequence of the eruption of the large volcano Tarawera, which is several kilometers from it. Earlier, the geyser "The Prince of Wales's Feathers" erupted just before the body, but now its activity has increased significantly. Kohoutu is the largest geyser in New Zealand. The diameter of its vent is 50 cm, and the flow of hot water under pressure rips out of it every 20 minutes.
- Vakarevarev Thermal Park. It occupies both banks of the river Poireng. Basically in the park there are numerous lakes, the water temperature in which approaches the boiling point. Their surface is almost impossible to see because of the steam clubs, and from the outside world of the lake guard the mountain ranges. The banks of the reservoirs are covered with giant ferns that have seen the prehistoric past of the Earth.
- Hot spring of Hinemoa. It considers it their duty to swim not only local residents, but also visitors. According to the legend, here resides taniva-igarara - a fairy creature resembling a dragon, which gives bathing strength and health.
- Lake Waimangu. This is another amazing sight of the valley, located about 10 km southeast of the amazing realm of geysers. Two ponds in which the water has a bluish and greenish color, hid from prying eyes in the crater of an extinct volcano. Their multicoloredness is explained by the special composition of the rocks, through which the keys that feed the lakes are paving their way.
How to get there?
You can get to the valley by plane: local airport Rotorua accepts flights from Queenstown (2.5 hours flight), Christchurch (1 hour 15 minutes), Wellington (60 minutes) and Auckland (40 minutes). Also from Auckland, there is a motorway. If you decide to use it, it will take you about 3 hours.
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