Rotorua Guided Walks
Tours & Transport
/ Central
Rotorua Guided Walks takes visitors on a chronological journey from the mid-1800s to today, looking at how Europeans ‘took the waters’ in Rotorua.
In the second half of the 19th century, Europeans travelled from around the world to sit in natural hot pools emitting toxic gases, for the benefit of their health. Using historic photographs, your guides will bring to life the risks and remedies taken by patients keen to ‘take the cure’ in Rotorua.
Māori had known about the special qualities of these thermal waters for centuries and it was a generous gift of land from Ngāti Whakaue to the government that allowed Rotorua to develop as a tourism and spa town.
The 1.5-hour, 2.5km journey through time will begin in the untamed wilderness along the shores of Lake Rotorua, with its live, natural thermal pools and other geothermal features of Sulphur Bay Wildlife Refuge. You’ll learn about this harsh environment and see the rare, protected bird colony that adapted to exist there.
Continuing through to the park-like Government Gardens and the new Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa on the lakefront, the tour will culminate at a café nearby (refreshments available at your cost).
A reasonable amount of fitness is required as this is not a circular walk; you may need to walk further to return to the beginning or another location.
Māori had known about the special qualities of these thermal waters for centuries and it was a generous gift of land from Ngāti Whakaue to the government that allowed Rotorua to develop as a tourism and spa town.
The 1.5-hour, 2.5km journey through time will begin in the untamed wilderness along the shores of Lake Rotorua, with its live, natural thermal pools and other geothermal features of Sulphur Bay Wildlife Refuge. You’ll learn about this harsh environment and see the rare, protected bird colony that adapted to exist there.
Continuing through to the park-like Government Gardens and the new Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa on the lakefront, the tour will culminate at a café nearby (refreshments available at your cost).
A reasonable amount of fitness is required as this is not a circular walk; you may need to walk further to return to the beginning or another location.