| Maori
Culture.
Probably the major
centre for Maori Culture, there are many shows that one could attend.
You should take in a Maori Hangi (meal) and also a Concert. Sometimes
these are held in association with each other. The best known show and
hangi is the Tamati brothers on their marae several kilometres out of
town. You will be picked up from your accommodation and returned there.
Often larger Hotels have their own concerts and hangi so there is
plenty of choice. |
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Thermal Activity.
Again there is
considerable amount of thermal activity. The largest area centres round
the
geyser at the north
end of Fenton St,
Pohutu-Whakarewarewa
is a good place to visit to see how steam in particular is used by the
Maori even today in their daily activities of cooking and washing.
Another area is Tikitere ( Hells Gate)
a few kilometres outside Rotorua on the Whakatane road where there are
boiling mud pools and many steam vents.
Polynesian
Pools. If you
want to luxuriate in the thermal waters, the best known place is
probably the Polynesian pools where there are inside and outside pools
of different sizes to suit most tastes. Many hotels and motels will
have plunge pools that you can use.
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Adventure
tourism.
Kyaking
on lakes and rivers in the
area is an excellent activity as is white
water rafting on one of the
many swift flowing rivers in the
vicinity.
Jet
boating is also an
activity if you are interested in speed and swift turns, while there
are also helicopter,
float plane and
fixed wing plane rides.
Luge
rides are possible
in the track below the restaurant on Mt Nongataha
where there are
beginner and more experienced tracks ( no snow of course but concrete
tracks) |
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Trout
fishing.
Many of the lakes and
rivers in the area have an abundance of trout, mainly brown
or
rainbow. Often people who catch the fish tag and release them, or
photograph and release them. If you wish, you can have the trout sealed
and posted home. Trout is not available in restaurants or
over
the shop counter. |
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