Things to do in Ohakuri

No. 15 of Spring Outings in New Zealand

Government Gardens

Government Gardens is a park that combines geothermal landscapes with English-style gardens. This land originally belonged to the local Māori tribe and was formerly known as Paepaekumana. It was once a geothermal area covered in scrub and also holds memories of tribal conflicts. In the late 19th century, the Māori people gifted the land to the government with the intention of "the well-being of all people," after which the scrub was cleared and replaced with neatly trimmed flowers and lawns, gradually transforming into the elegant garden by the lake that it is today. The park has many highlights: the Tudor-style old bathhouse has a magnificent exterior and is one of the most recognizable historical buildings in Rotorua, later converted into the Rotorua Museum; the lakeside is adjacent to the Polynesian Spa; the open lawns feature croquet and lawn bowls, and the rose garden blooms from late spring until early winter. What sets this place apart from other city parks is that geothermal activity is still active within the park—bubbling hot springs and rising white steam are often seen between the lawns and flower beds, where orderly European-style gardening appears alongside the raw geothermal wilderness. Enter the park through the Prince's Gate, which is decorated with Māori wood carvings, and along the way, you can see a monument commemorating the soldiers of the local Te Arawa tribe and various sculptures. Even if you don't go into the museum or soak in the hot springs, just taking a walk along the lake in the garden, watching the blue sky, green grass, and lake scenery is relaxing and enjoyable; if you visit during the blooming season, the rose garden is a perfect backdrop for photos.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Lake Taupo

Lake Taupo is New Zealand's largest lake, located on a volcanic plateau in the central North Island. The upper reaches of the Waikato River (known as the Tongariro (Tongariro) River) enters from the south, and the lake flows from the northeast of the lake through the Waikato River. The lake water covers several craters. There are many geothermal hot springs around the lake, which are either used for recuperation or used to generate electricity. Built the Waikato River Hydroelectric Power Plant.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium is an aquarium converted from an abandoned underground sewage storage tank, completed by the New Zealand marine archaeologist Mr. Kelly Tarlton over approx. 10 months. SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium features 8 major exhibition themes, each with its own distinctive features. In the captivating winter wonderland, you can walk through the exhibition area into a viewing area at minus two degrees, to watch king penguins and gentoo penguins walking on artificial snow or diving underwater. You can also, inside the transparent acrylic view tunnel of SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium, feel the thrill of great sharks and devil rays swimming past you, and witness how the mighty large lobsters live in harmony with their neighbors. If you want to observe up close, you can put yourself in a cage and enter the shark viewing pool. △ Observe giant sharks up close △ Learn more about marine life in the Southern Hemisphere △ Watch the adorable feeding process of the king penguin and gentoo penguin flocks

Lava Glass - Glassblowing Studio, Sculpture Garden, Art Gallery, Café

No. 13 of Best Things to Do in Bay of Plenty

Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Waimangu Volcanic Valley, located in New Zealand, was formed after the massive eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886. Its formation process is well-documented and unique among known geothermal landscapes. The attraction boasts numerous well-known geothermal features: Frying Pan Lake is a large-scale natural hot spring, its surface constantly steaming, with a water temperature maintained at approximately 55°C; Hells Lake has a clear cobalt blue water, with a periodic water level drop of up to 12 meters, facilitating monitoring of underground magma activity; along the way, visitors can see colorful travertine terraces, continuously bubbling mud pools, and springs constantly spewing hot air. The valley features gentle wooden boardwalks with various hiking routes, flanked by native New Zealand forests, where black swans, kangaroos, and other small animals are frequently seen. In addition to hiking, visitors can also take a boat trip on Lake Rotomahana to get a close look at the hot springs beneath the lake and explore the remnants of ancient terraces. Here, people can truly appreciate the grandeur of the geothermal volcano and witness the evolution of the newly formed ecological community. It is a well-known attraction in Rotorua that combines scientific significance with scenic value.

No. 18 of Night Attractions in New Zealand

Lake Rotorua

There are 16 lakes in the Rotorua region. Lake Rotorua is one of the larger lakes in the area, and the city is named after it; the city center is located on the southern side of the lake. Lake Rotorua is also the third-largest lake in New Zealand. About 200,000 years ago, a massive volcanic eruption occurred here, causing the ground to collapse and form a circular crater 16 km wide. Rainwater filled the crater, forming Lake Rotorua. It is impossible to count how many hot springs there are in Rotorua. You see plumes of steam in the air every few steps. Sometimes, two or three springs cluster together, creating a misty, ethereal scene that feels like a fairyland. The city truly lives up to its name as a geothermal city; a faint scent of sulfur drifts everywhere, and geothermal hot springs are found throughout the area, with spa pools available in hotel rooms. The area features shimmering lake waters and flocks of seagulls, and watching the boiling gray-yellow mud of the hot springs has made it a popular tourist destination. Geothermal activity continues unabated beneath and around the lake. Geothermal steam constantly lingers along the lakeshore, and the high sulfur content in the lake water creates a marvelous greenish-blue hue. Strolling along the shore, you can see the calm lake water surrounded by rolling hills with soft curves that meet the horizon. You can see large flocks of black swans gracefully swimming in the lake, and countless rainbow trout swimming beneath the vast surface. It would be wonderful if you could wake up early and head to the lakeside to watch the sunrise. Facing the morning light, blue, red, and gold colors interweave and spill across the lake, creating a magnificent sight. Accompanied by the faint light, various birds such as swans, wild ducks, and seagulls drift on the lake, sending ripples across the tranquil water. If you visit in winter, you will see a different scene. The grass is covered in frost, turning everything white, but the plants near the hot springs are flushed with fresh green from the steam, as if the city is experiencing two seasons at once—winter on one side and spring on the other. Stepping on the stone steps of the hot spring and cupping a handful of water, it feels warm and smooth. The active volcanoes in Rotorua are well worth seeing. The scheduled eruptions of the active volcanoes every morning are a spectacle that will leave you in awe of nature's power. Volcanic mud is a major feature here; the black mud bubbles and gurgles, and just looking at it makes you feel the intense heat. There are many activities available, including lakeside cruises, sailboats, kayaks, seaplanes, helicopters, and jet boats. You can take a sightseeing boat trip or participate in various activities such as fishing trips and water cruises. In the middle of the lake lies Mokoia Island (Mokoia Island), where countless water birds rest. It was once a Maori fortress and is the setting for a great New Zealand love story. There is a service center in the park in front of the Novotel Hotel where you can sign up to visit Mokoia Island. Enjoy a hot spring bath at Waikimihia (now renamed Hinemoa Pool) while taking in the timeless beauty of the lake. If you have enough time, a visit to the nearby Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ is also a great choice, just a 5-minute drive from downtown Rotorua. In addition to enjoying Maori song and dance performances, the Puhutu Geyser is a spectacle not to be missed.

No. 12 of Best Things to Do in Bay of Plenty

Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve

Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, where hundreds of hot springs and bubbling mud pools spread along the valley. The sinter deposited by the spring water forms layers of white terraces around the vents, with steam rising year-round and the air filled with the signature scent of sulfur. The signature attraction in the reserve is the Pohutu Geyser, whose name means "splashing water" in Māori. During an eruption, the water column can shoot up to approx. 30m. It typically erupts one to two times per hour and is one of the largest active geysers in the Southern Hemisphere. The Prince of Wales Feathers Geyser beside it often releases steam first; seeing the smaller geyser erupt often signals that the larger one is about to follow. This valley is also the ancestral home of the Māori people, who still use natural geothermal steam to cook food and heat water for bathing. The area also preserves traditional craft displays such as wood carving and weaving, as well as Māori song and dance performances. Please stay on the designated paths throughout your visit and do not approach the hot springs or mud pools. The sulfur scent is strong, so visitors sensitive to odors may want to prepare accordingly.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Auckland

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Auckland Museum is regarded as one of the finest Museums in the Southern Hemisphere and is renowned for its unique collection of Māori and Pacific treasures. It is also a war memorial for the Auckland province. Housed in one of the country's finest heritage buildings, the Museum tells the story of New Zealand as a nation; from award-winning natural history exhibits to galleries which investigate New Zealand's cultural origins. Scars on the Heart, the Museum's war memorial gallery, tells the story of New Zealand at war, while He Taonga Māori - the Museum's Māori treasures gallery, displays over 2,000 priceless Māori artefacts, including rare carvings and the last great Māori war canoe carved from a giant Totara tree. The Museum is home to an ever-evolving host of galleries and special exhibitions, including Tāmaki Herenga Waka, a contemporary gallery dedicated to the stories of Auckland and the people who call it home. The Imaginarium is the new children's gallery where learning is curiosity lead, and awe-inspiring.

Aratiatia Rapids

Huka Honey Hive