Rotorua

Rotorua is a smallish city on the shores of Lake Rotorua. The surrounding areas are a geothermal wonderland, with geysers, boiling mud pools, and steaming craters - accompanied by the pervasive smell of sulphur. Rotorua is also a showcase of Maori cultural activities, a centre of tourism and a place of extraordinary natural beauty.

It is surrounded by volcanoes, lakes, parks and recreational areas, and is a great place to go hiking or to view native birds and animals; you never know, if you're very lucky, you might even see a Tuatara!

Rotorua is one of the major tourist attractions in the North Island, but despite this, manages to retain some of the charming characteristics of a country town. Their small museum is of particular note in this respect.