What to do in Rotorua

Bike-ride the forest

Forty kilometres of purpose-built mountain-biking track wends its way through Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Forest - ranging from gaspingly steep drops to safe, horizontal pathways suitable for families with pre-schoolers.

Planet Bike is based right on the forest's edge, providing all the equipment you'll need, whether you are a first-time mountain bike rider or seriously addicted. There are even bikes to fit 5-year-olds and various options for carrying pre-schoolers aged from 18 months.

Prices range from $59 for a two-hour, first-timer's course with no scary hills, to a 30km, half-day ride that takes in the Blue and Green Lakes for $99. Another option is $79 for a two-hour night ride.

Contact: Planet Bike
tel (07) 348 9971, fax (07) 348 6812
email ride@planetbike.co.nz

Trout-fishing tournament

Twenty tagged trout will be released into Lake Rotorua later this month - representing thousands of dollars in prize money for the annual Rotorua Tagged Trout Tournament. Now in its eighth year, the tournament on May 24 and 25 is held to promote the area's "great fishing".

Over two days, anglers will be vying for one of the tagged fish and the prize money or booty that includes fishing tackle, accommodation and an outboard motor.

Entries close at noon on Friday, May 23.

Contact: David McNiven
freephone 0800 824 876
email powering@ihug.co.nz

Forest under threat

Explore Te Ngae Kahikatea Forest north of Rotorua's airport and enjoy its beauty.

A member of the Ngati Rangiteaorere Kahikatea Trust will guide visitors through the forest at 8.30am on Sunday. The guided tour is free. Meet at the carpark in Haupapa St by the Rotorua District Council.

Contact: Rod Stace (07) 362 8523
email rod.stace@xtra.co.nz

Mountain-bike challenge

The Cateye Moonride is the only 24-hour mountain bike event in New Zealand - and it's on in Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Forest this Friday and Saturday.

Get a team of up to five riders together or face the challenge on your own.

There's a 12-hour ride option, starting on Saturday morning. Both events repeatedly cover an 8km circuit, designed to cater to all abilities. Both races finish at 10pm on Saturday.

There is more than $12,000 in spot prizes being given away throughout the event. Register at the Quality Hotel in Rotorua.

Contact: Murray Fleming, tel (07) 378 0455
email info@eventpromotions.co.nz

Event Promotions

Fishing tips on net

Rotorua boasts 11 fishable lakes of varying size and depths and enthusiastic out-of-town anglers need not even get their feet wet until they have visited a website devoted to the lakes and their bounty.

The Rotorua Lakes site gives details of fish species to be found, the streams and rivers, islands and bays and individual lakes - most reachable by car and easily fishable from the shoreline or for those with a pair of waders.

The web page offers links to fishing tips, interactive maps, the weather and taking a child fishing.

Explore a volcanic valley

Waimangu Volcanic Valley is open to visitors every day from 8.30am. You can choose to take a wander for up to two hours along crater walkways, or catch the Explorer Tour for three hours. There is also a 90-minute boat cruise that allows views of volcanic activity seen only from the boat.

Waimangu is the world's only hydrothermal system where the exact commencement date of surface activity is known - June 10, 1886.

The cruise and walk cost $45 an adult and $10 for a child. Cruise price is $25 an adult and $5 a child, and the walk only is $20 adult and $5 child.

The valley can be found by turning left 14km south of Rotorua (on the way to Taupo) and driving 6km along Waimangu Rd.

Contact: (07) 366 6137, email nature@waimangu.co.nz

Take a cruise on the lake

In the heart of Rotorua is the Lakeland Queen Cruises offering the chance to experience a bygone era of paddleships aboard New Zealand's only sternwheel-drive paddlewheeler.

There is a range of cruises from which to choose - day or night, for breakfast or lunch, morning and afternoon teas or evening dining and dancing.

Contact: Lakeland Queen Cruises, Memorial Drive, Rotorua
freephone 0800 862 78473, fax (07) 347 1766
email cruises@lakelandqueen.co.nz

Thermal wonders from the air

Don helmets and leather jackets, goggles and gloves - then take to the sky above Rotorua in a Gruman AgCat bi-plane. Two people can sit together in the front of the aircraft - giving uninterrupted views from the open cockpit.

The flight will take you slowly and low over the Tarawera crater and other volcanic attractions in the area, or over the lakes and geothermal steaming valleys.

Prices range from $95 a person for a 12-minute flight to $275 a person for a 45-minute flight.

Contact: Red Cat Two Passenger Bi-plane
freephone 0800 733 228
email info@redcat.co.nz

A taste of Maori culture

A visit to Rotorua, steeped in Maori culture and history, isn't complete without feasting on a hangi and feeling the rousing beat and rhythm of a cultural dance performance.

At least half a dozen venues offer nightly cooked-in-the-ground hangi food and cultural performances - either in the large hotels or in Maori village tourist attractions.

Check out Rotorua City Council's Hangi and Concert Guide.

Pools and craters

See the Lady Knox Geyser erupt every day at 10.15am at the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, 27km south of Rotorua on the highway to Taupo.

Wai-O-Tapu is also home to many native birds, and facilities include a large visitors' centre, cafe, and plenty of parking for cars and campervans.

Prices are $15 for adults, $5 for children aged 5 to 15. A family pass is $38 and it's open every day from 8.30am.

Contact: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
(07) 366 6333, fax (07) 366 6010
email waiotapu-thermal@clear.net.nz

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