Rainbow Springs Nature Park

Today we headed to Rainbow Springs Nature Park just outside of Rotorua. The springs are famous for its trout and they act as a breeding ground, providing specific pools for the young trout to develop before release into the local lakes.




The springs also have a wildlife area with a variety of native and introduced animals including the emu.





There is also a reptile house with tuataras, and a kiwi house where it is difficult to get pictures of the kiwi due to the pitch black surroundings!

Visiting Anna & Tim

On the way back up to Rotorua we took the opportunity to call in to see our friends Anna & Tim who have recently moved from Auckland down to Taupo having bought a 10 acre section and are now building their new home.



From close up the house is huge, and a reminder back to those meccano sets... From the boundary however, the house looks a lot smaller giving a good idea about the size of their section. It will be good to go back soon to see how much further they have got on.

Huka Falls & Lake Taupo

From the thermal area we continued south down to Taupo, stopping off at Huka Falls on the way.






We then had a picnic lunch by the lake with the Tongariro National Park in the distance consisting of the three volcanoes Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu.

Orakei Korako

Heading south from Rotorua is Orakei Korako thermal area which can only be reached by a short ferry crossing across Lake Ohakuri.





This thermal area is slightly less commercial than many of the others around Rotorua, so as a result is much quieter without the hordes of Japanese tourists. There are several geysers around the park, one of which we saw erupt as we walked around the track.





The rainbow terrace is one of the best examples of thermal creativity.





Along with the Golden Fleece Fault Scarp.

Rotorua Museum of Art & History

After a brief trip to Rotorua lake, we headed to the old Bath House which now houses the town's museum. The original building was a spa retreat and many of the old fixtures form part of the museum detailing many of the therapies once used including the electric bath!




The view from the top of the Bath House is across the Government Gardens, which now mainly consist of bowling greens and croquet lawns.

Ohinemutu

Ohinemutu is a Maori village on the side of Lake Rotorua. Here there is the typical Maori marae - Tametekapua Meeting House - with the wooden carvings.







Whilst towards the lake is the historic Maori St Faith's Anglican church.

Tirau

Our trip down to Rotorua took us through the rather strange township of Tirau. This town is famous for its corrugated iron... The information centre and cafe next door are in the shape of a dog and sheep, with numerous other examples of corrugated iron art around the town.