Sulphur Bay new tourist hot spot

Lakeland Queen cruising through Sulphur Bay. Photo: Stephen Parker

The historic Lakeland Queen will soon be venturing into brand new waters.

From October the paddleboat will offer breakfast and lunch geothermal cruises into the "mystical waters of Sulphur Bay", said managing director Terry Hammond.

Mr Hammond said no other tour vessels went into the bay, which was amazing and needed to be shared.

"There's so much in that area going on," he said. "It's an absolute classic to share with our visitors."

He said the new cruise route, which took in Hinemoa Point - "you can see how far she swam", Mokoia Island and Ohinemutu, was being promoted to the independent traveller and group markets. Travel agents in China had also been promoting the concept.

"Hopefully it will increase some traffic to Rotorua . . . they [tourists] might stay another night," said Mr Hammond.

Mr Hammond said Sulphur Bay was fascinating, with its milky waters and barren yet beautiful landscape.

Despite the lack of oxygen in the water and lack of food, it was home to 65 species of birds, he said.

"Older gulls that have nested there for years have lost webbing in their feet from the acid ... rotting away. Yet they still live here."

Mr Hammond has been working with the Department of Conservation and Environment Bay of Plenty on the new venture. He is excited about the new cruises, joking that on a dummy run this week even he was fascinated by his own tour commentary.

The course into the bay had been carefully plotted using GPS and no wildlife would be disturbed, he said.