Rotorua's Essential 50: Day 18 - Explore the Government Gardens

A view of the ornamental garden with the Cenotaph in the background at Rotorua's Government Gardens.

It's been the site of battles between warring tribes, hosted soldiers recovering from war wounds and is now one of the most popular free attractions in Rotorua.

The Government Gardens on Queens Drive is very important to the local Te Arawa people who gifted the land to the government in 1880.

A number of more than 100-year-old buildings dot the site including Te Runanga Tearooms and the Band Rotunda, which is also a popular spot for summer weddings.

Visitors can take in a cultural heritage trail which guides people around 20 significant spots on the site including numerous Maori carvings, the Princes Gate, the Rachel Pool, the Blue Baths and the old Sanatorium.

A natural heritage trail describes all of the natural features like the abundant bird life - pukeko, pied stilts, dabchicks and ducks - a wetland walk to Motutara Point, all of the geothermal sites and Sulphur Bay and Sulphur Point.

Trail guides can be found at the Rotorua Museum, which is at the eastern end of the site.
The Government gardens are also home to the Rotorua Bowling Club, petanque and croquet clubs.

There is also a nine-hole golf course which is located next to the district council's plant nursery.

Take a picnic lunch and enjoy the sites, sounds and smells of a real Rotorua treasure that is the Government Gardens.

The Rotorua Daily Post Essential 50 lists the city's must-see, must-do and must-try activities and experiences thanks to reader nominations. We'll be highlighting one every day over summer.