Our drive from Auckland to Rotorua was pleasant. We drove passed rolling hills dotted with dirty sheep. On occasion I would spot a black sheep or ram and even one “resting” heavily on the side of the road. About half-way through our drive we spotted a hitchhiker. We gladly picked up our new companion Lucca, from Italy, and took him on to just outside of Rotorua. He was talkative and gave some excellent suggestions for our journey, but he also carried with him the earthy traveler smell. We reached Rotorua a little later than expected due to my inability to navigate but we made it on time to check in at Blarney’s Rock backpackers. We booked our room in advance on bookings.com. We hiked our stuff up narrow steep steps to our double with a shower and sink, but the toilets were communal. We asked the guy behind the counter for suggestions to do. He gave us a bored and lethargic look and wasn’t helpful. Luckily there was a tear away map for FREE that we used to get around. Blarney’s Rock was conveniently located in the center of town and many things were within walking distance. We shared some lunch and walked around the FREE Government Gardens, FREE Lake Rotorua, FREE Ohinemutu, and FREE Kuirau Park, before having dinner at Jazzed Bar Eatery (thanks to a grabone coupon).
Government Gardens
Above: Enjoying the bright colors of the garden flowers, especially considering we went during their winter season. Near the palm you can see some steam rise. All over Rotorua we happened upon geothermal pools, steam vents, and the like. Top Right: The Rotorua Historic bath house beautifully set in the government gardens. Right: Two Takahes enjoying one of many water features found in the gardens. New Zealand loves their bird wildlife. |
Note: While walking the gardens we were stopped by some local kids doing a survey. We gladly answered their questions and I was flattered by one girls compliment of my accent. I sometimes forget that I sound foreign when in other countries.
Lake Rotorua
Left: A short walk from the Government Gardens were pathways around Lake Rotorua. During winter months the water is pretty quiet with only ducks and black swans playing in the water. I can see the summer busy with a bunch of extreme water activities considering a how many shops selling such adrenaline where found all around the lake.
Right: Beautifully ornate hand carved Māori canoe near the lake.
Note: Beware Sandflys are nasty bastards. They are worse than mosquitoes who at least have the decency to die when the weather gets cold.
Right: Beautifully ornate hand carved Māori canoe near the lake.
Note: Beware Sandflys are nasty bastards. They are worse than mosquitoes who at least have the decency to die when the weather gets cold.
Ohinemutu
Top Left: Continuing on from lake Rotorua is the cute tucked away Māori village Ohinemutu. Top Right: Tama-te-kapua meeting house was named for the captain who sailed from Hawaiki after being shunned for stealing breadfruit from the king. Above: Bell in front of the meeting house. Right: Māori carving in the war graveyard and monument. Note: When we were exploring the village we ran across the filming of Native Chef. The food smell wonderful and made us very hungry. |
Kuirau
Park Top Left: One of my favorite activities of Rotorua was enjoying a hot natural foot bath found in the park. There were also covered ones for those rainy day foot soaks. Top Right: Some thermal activity that was found. The mud pools weren’t as active as I would have liked to see, but they were still interesting. Above: The steam surrounding the park. Left: Dominic leading the way on one of the many paths. |
<- Breakfast: CapersThe next day before leaving Rotorua for Taupo we walked down to have breakfast at the only place we could find open. Capers had a bake shop feel, with food on display. We settled on muesli, porridge and a salmon omelette. The muesli was crunchy and good, but I was surprised to find the porridge was served cold. It was good just surprising. The let down was the salmon omelette. It looked dyed and was pretty flavorless for it supposedly being smoked. The salsa was also a different side dip for a salmon omelette. Lunch: Fat Dog ->Fish and Chips, what more could you ask for? how about flavor! The fish had a very nice crisp to them but they were flavorless. The sauce was bland and even the dressing that went with the salad was mild. Since we shared a main we decided to get dessert. We ordered a ginger crunch and another crunch and actually wanted nothing to do with either. I love dessert, but this stuff was dry and entirely too sweet. The highlight of this meal was the ginger beer :-D. <- Dinner: Jazzed Bar & EateryWe bought a coupon from grabone, which is very similar to our groupon or living social. It included two mains and two glasses of wine for under 50 NZ$, otherwise the prices were between 20-30 NZ$ per main. The portions were huge but luckily we were hungry. Our server was very friendly and made great suggestions. Compared to lunch there were more flavors in both dishes but they were both very heavy and basic. |
Note: most places want you to order your food and pay at the counter. They will typically give you a number and bring your food to your table. Nice dinner places you’ll sit down order eat, then afterwards pay at the counter. Tips aren’t necessary which may by partly why food is much more expensive than I’m used to.
The Short and Sweet
Accommodations:
Blarney’s Rock Backpackers
Eateries:
Lunch: Fat Dogs
Transport:
Car: Ace Car Rental
Sites visited:
Lake Rotorua
Government Gardens
Ohinemutu
Kuirau Park
Legend based on comparisons of similar businesses:
$ = Keeping the wallet fat
$$ = Uh oh thinning out
$$$ = What was I thinking
$$$$ = Oh Hell No!
Overall: Worth it… depending on who you ask
If you don’t mind the constant smell of sulphur and are interested in Māori culture and geothermal sites than I recommended Rotorua. Dominic would disagree but he also had the pleasure of visiting yellowstone in his younger years, which I have not. I was disappointed that all sites that had interesting features, like geysers, charged an outrageous ticket price. I also wish we had spent one more day to check out the Red Wood forests and several walking paths that looked interesting. I found this to be a great source of what to do in Rotorua: http://www.rotorua-travel-secrets.com
Blarney’s Rock Backpackers
- Cost: $
- Inclusions: linens, teas
- Rating: Worth it
- Notes: Bring towels
Eateries:
Lunch: Fat Dogs
- Cost: $$
- Avg Food Grade: C+
- Rating: Not worth it
- Cost: $$$ (but we had a coupon from Grabone)
- Avg Food Grade: B
- Rating: Worth It
Transport:
Car: Ace Car Rental
- Cost: $
- Inclusion: Beater with CD player
- Rating: Worth it
Sites visited:
Lake Rotorua
- Cost: FREE
- Rating: Worth it
Government Gardens
- Cost: FREE
- Rating: Worth it
Ohinemutu
- Cost: FREE
- Rating: Worth it
Kuirau Park
- Cost: FREE
- Rating: Worth it
Legend based on comparisons of similar businesses:
$ = Keeping the wallet fat
$$ = Uh oh thinning out
$$$ = What was I thinking
$$$$ = Oh Hell No!
Overall: Worth it… depending on who you ask
If you don’t mind the constant smell of sulphur and are interested in Māori culture and geothermal sites than I recommended Rotorua. Dominic would disagree but he also had the pleasure of visiting yellowstone in his younger years, which I have not. I was disappointed that all sites that had interesting features, like geysers, charged an outrageous ticket price. I also wish we had spent one more day to check out the Red Wood forests and several walking paths that looked interesting. I found this to be a great source of what to do in Rotorua: http://www.rotorua-travel-secrets.com