Rotorua, Bay of Plenty and Eastland

Rotorua is famous for the amount of geothermal activity. When you arrive in Rotorua you will know, the distinct smell of sulphur and acrid-smelling mud pools. There are so many natural attractions to keep you excited. Visit the geothermal pools, bubbling mud pools and ponds that create a kaleidoscope of colour. There are many other exhilarating activities including taking a toboggan down a whit water rapid, jetboating or even abseiling down the side of a mountain. If you would prefer to do something a bit more relaxing there is also the country’s prime fishing spot or there are some great museums to visit including The Bathhouse Museum, Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and the Agrodome.

The Bay of Plenty is a very popular place for families to enjoy both the ocean and the gentle harbour beaches. A visit to Mount Manganui is a must, with its prominent volcanic cone, it is extremely popular with surfers. There are other water activities to enjoy which include rafting down the Wairoa River, one of the most spectacular stretches of white water in the country, or big game fishing in Tauranga and surfing at Ocean beach. Don’t forget to visit Kiwifruit country and Te Puke Vintage Auto Barn.

Eastland is a beautiful city that has long hot summers and great surfing beaches, that attract visitors in summer. Eastland also has New Zealand’s best surviving Mauri churches and meeting houses that you can’t miss. There are many magnificent natural attractions located here also such as Te Urewera National Park, which is the largest wilderness area in the North Island, Mahia Beach, Morere Hot Springs and Lake Waikaremoana, just to name a few. There are some other places that are worth a visit including Gisborne winery, Eastwood Hill Arboretum, Captain Cook's first landfall memorial, Te Poho o Rawiri Marae and Tologa Bay Wharf.