Sledging on the Kaituna River
by Rodan44
Everyone is familiar with river rafting, but for those extreme sport obsessed New Zealanders that just isn't extreme enough. So for the slightly braver (or possibly stupider) they offer River Sledging. Basically, a sledge is similar to a body board (boogie board) except bigger, heavier, and with handle bars on the front. The rider simply lays on top, grasps the handle bars, and hurtles down the river.
My wife and I did sledging on the Kaituna River just outside Rotorua. The river has some serious grade 5 rapids and is not for the meek. We first got the idea to do sledging here because it was featured on an episode of the Amazing Race at this same spot. We had two experienced guides who helped us out a lot and kept us from drowning. We managed to make it through several kilometers of whitewater rapids with only a few bruises on our knees and a lot of river water in our bellies. Great fun but definitely physically challenging! The company will provide the sledge, wetsuit, helmet, fins, lifevest, and guides. You just need to bring a swimsuit and towel. You can also opt to have a photographer follow you in kayak, and then you can later buy the photos on CD-Rom for a small fee.
Colonial style cafe
by allikat about Te Wairoa Tearooms and Cafe
Te Wairoa Tearooms is part of the Buried Village attraction, but you don't have to visit the Buried Village in order to enjoy them.
The building is a beautiful old colonial style place, and the cafe area opens onto a nice terrace and garden area ~ a really lovely setting. The menu is mainly light meals, snacks, cakes and coffees.The lemon tart was scrummy, and the coffee is superb.
1886 Mt. Tarawera eruption
by 36waterfalls
The Buried Village is a result of the 1886 eruption of Mt. Tarawera. It destroyed the Pink and White Terraces (healing lakes in those days, so the area attracted many visitors) and buried Te Wairoa village under two metres of volcanic material. This village has been partly dug out and is open to explore. The site holds a historic museum as well.
Agrodome: Authentic Working Farm Tour
by M0B1US
If after feasting your eyes on 19 different breeds of sheep you find you still can't get enough of the furry creatures - Agrodome also runs an educational, hands-on experience where you can get up close and personal with all of the farm's inhabitants on 160 hectares.
The tours start at 10:40am, 12:10 pm, 1:30 pm and 3:40 pm daily and last for about 45 minutes as you are taken around on a giant tractor with passenger trailer to see and feed all the animals including exotic cows bred especially for the Japanese steak market (this is a working farm you know!), Alpacas, Deer and Pot-Bellied Pigs.
At one point the tractor stops and you get to feed all the animals and boy are they eager to be fed!
On the return leg you also visit a Kiwi orchard where you are given a history on the plant and the interesting fact that it actually has 'male' and 'female' trees planted at a ratio of 1:10 to ensure fertilisation. As well as eating Kiwis you are also treated to a Kiwifruit wine tasting - which was very nice indeed!
There are also olive, mandarin and fejoia orchards on the farm as well.
This is an interesting outing for adults and a brilliant day out for the kids!
Wai-o-Tapu means ‘sacred waters’
by vtveen
When visiting this thermal area you will understand the name ‘sacred waters’. The several attractions are very impressive with a lot of different colours, caused by different minerals in the soil.
Walking along the track we passed several colourful places like the Opal Pool (soft green), the Champagne Pool (orange), Devil’s bath (fluorescent green), some sulphur craters (yellow) and mud pools (grey).
A very special feeling gives the walk over the boardwalk which crosses a huge sinter terrace (more or less white) with steaming water.
The three tracks (total about 3 km’s) did take along several thermal spots and lookouts till an almost 800 year old, green coloured, crater lake Ngakoro.
Wai-o-Tapu has also a famous geyser: Lady Knox Geyser. This geyser erupts every day (with some human help) at 10.15 am. For us too early, so we missed it.
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Pool, tennis, cricket, yoga, fitness room, golf
Champagne Pool - Wai-o-Tapu, Rotorua, NZ
Close proximity to the lake.
Rotorua
