New Zealand lakes
Any time of year is great for exploring the outdoor wilderness New Zealand – and especially Rotorua - is renowned for.
The lakes district offers plenty of walks, varying in length. A 5km walk around Blue Lake winds through pine forest, providing access to good swimming beaches. Okareka Walkway is a 5.5km return walk through farmland, beach, lake and wetland scenery. A well-formed bush walk in Okere Falls Scenic Reserve has scenic lookouts over the Okere River and its waterfalls. There are three tracks in the Tarawera catchment, ranging from 40 minutes to six hours’ return. Highlights include Tarawera Falls, Hot Water Beach and traditional Maori paintings on a rock face at Tarawera Orchard.
Whakarewarewa Forest offers a huge variety of forest walks, off road running tracks and mtb trails. The forest is five minutes’ drive from the central city and has some of the best biking trails New Zealand can offer. It is open to the public year-round. Access is free. Bike trail and walking track maps are available from the information centre; it’s easy to get lost in the forest so these are invaluable.
When it comes to wilderness travel New Zealand is the first place you should head. Whirinaki Forest and Te Urewera National Park are great for hiking and bird watching. This area is home to some of New Zealand's most magnificent indigenous rainforest and is rich in native birdlife such as kereru, tui, and kaka. Maori guides will share their extensive knowledge of the area’s wildlife and history.
For the adventurous visitor, white water rafting is a must-do, with trips on the Kaituna River including the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall.
If you’re into kayak tours, New Zealand can’t be beaten. The same applies to fishing New Zealand lakes; it’s easy to catch your own dinner.
Off the water, a golf holiday is a popular option, with a range of courses in Rotorua. Adventure park rides, surrounded by stunning scenery, are also popular.
Scenic vistas are everywhere, with walkways and mountain biking tracks making Rotorua the perfect place to enjoy the best of nature, and the best of NZ activities. The choice is yours.
