Rotorua, New Zealand

Rotorua is one of North Island, New Zealand hot tourist spot, with its unique geothermal features across the town, historical structures and cultures.

While Covid-19 may have impacted overseas tourist entering into New Zealand, locals are packing their bags, driving across the country for a getaway. Let's see what this place got to offer, and what you can do during your trip to the middle earth.

Rotorua's most famous spots are the agrodome, government house, Te Puia geyser and hot springs spa. If non touristy is what you're after, you can go for water activities, wine and dine, or go for a sea plane scenic flight.

Taupo is another tourist hotspot which is an hour drive South West of Rotorua, you will find more hot springs, geyser and activities along the way. Taupo has the largest volcanic lake in the country, which means you can find more water activities or/and cruises. Taupo is also well known for their sky diving activity, for any daredevils out there. Taupo generally lacks foreign hotel chain investment, so you won't find many large chain hotel or 5 stars hotel in this city. While you're there, make sure to check out Huka Falls, especially when it has been a wet day or week, you'll be able to see a spectacular rush of water passing through. If you are a thrill seeker, you can go on a speed boat for a close and wet experience. I believe this is also the only Maccas chain that features a large aircraft within its restaurant? Take a cruise on the largest lake in NZ, and 2nd largest in Oceania. Spanning 616 sqkm, you can fish, jet, cruise or fly. I took a slow 2.5 hours cruise on the only commercial electric boat, to Mine Bay on the South West of Taupo, where a Maori carving on rocks can be found. It is a pretty insane sight to see, that human can manage to do such a seemingly impossible task.

Tips: Skip the prawn park as you will not be fishing more than a few prawns from their pond, and their prawn prices are fairly steep in comparison to a normal restaurant.

A big hobbit/LOTR fan? Just an hour drive North West of Rotorua, you'll be able to visit the Hobbiton movie set. With its large piece of privately owned land being used for the movie set, you can find all sorts of quirky builds and of course the hobbit houses, some of which you can get in to explore. You will not be able to walk around on your own, you'll be assigned to a tour guide, and you'll be bus from the ticket office/gift shop to the property to start the tour. Towards the end of the tour, you can visit the bar and claim a free drink. The tour can cut deep into your pocket, but I would definitely recommend it to visit at least once, even if you are not into hobbit.