Geothermal wonders

In geothermal fields south and north-east of the city, crater lakes are constantly refilled with hot water, rich mineral deposits paint the landscape from a multi-coloured palette from white to turquoise, steam escapes from cracks in cliff faces and cameras and camcorders work overtime recording the stark beauty and splendour of Rotorua's volcanic landscape.

Towering volcanoes, now dormant, are unmistakeable reminders of the land’s turbulent past. Over time many volcanic caldera (a basin formed when the earth slumps following the emptying of a magma chamber during volcanic activity) have formed Rotorua's chain of sparkling lakes teeming with rainbow and brown trout.

Many of Rotorua’s attractions are based around our two of our natural assets; geothermal activity and lakes. Both are directly attributable to the continual volcanic activity that has formed and reformed the landscape.

At 290m above sea level, Rotorua is located on a volcanic plateau which encompasses most of the Central North Island. Geological records show ceaseless activity in this area for millennia, ranging from minor hot springs through to huge prehistoric ignimbrite flows which smothered the entire landscape. Most ‘recent’ eruptions were the Taupo eruption around 1800 years ago and the Tarawera eruption of 1886.

Geothermal activity provides the source of Rotorua’s fame as a spa resort. Visitors who opt to relax in pools of natural hot mineral water, wrap themselves in mud or soothe body and soul with an Aix massage under warm thermal water, will be left with no doubts as to why Rotorua developed a reputation as Nature’s Spa of the South Pacific.

Rotorua offers the opportunity to encounter some of the world’s most incredible earth forces, so plan a visit and discover the ‘spirit of the earth’.