Rotorua City/Region: North Island Rotorua has the most energetic thermal activity in the country. It is a town permeated with the smell of sulphur and surrounded by towering volcanoes. Steam rises from between the pavement cracks and along pathways. There is a plethora of hot springs and thermal baths, the basis for its fast-growing fame as 'Nature's Spa of the South Pacific'. Situated on the Volcanic Plateau of Central North Island, the continuous volcanic activity has formed the landscape around Rotorua and the main attractions are based around its natural resources,
the 12 crater lakes and numerous geothermal features. The crystal lakes offer activities such as trout fishing and water sports, and nearby geothermal fields feature bubbling mud pools, spouting geysers and steaming rivers. Rotorua is also the Maori cultural heartland and visitors can experience the spirit of their culture in one of the many performances, featuring stories relayed through song and dance, and a 'hangi' feast, the traditional Maori method of cooking in an earthen pit. For more information visit www.rotoruanz.com
Te Anau City/Region: Fjordland Set on the fringes of the Fjordland's celebrated wilderness is the attractive resort town of Te Anau. The town rests on the shores of the beautiful lake of the same name with spectacular views of mountain peaks all around. It is the hub of the region and an excellent base from which to explore the Fjordland area. Te Anau has achieved the reputation of being the 'Sightseeing and Walking Capital of the World' having easy access to some of the most splendid Great Walks and scenery. It is also in close proximity to the fjords of Doubtful Sound, the deepest and most stunning, and Milford Sound, the most famous and more easily accessible. Lake Te Anau is the second largest in New Zealand and visitors are attracted by the wide variety of water sports available. The town also has a wonderful resource center with information on tramping and other excursions, as well as offering aerial sightseeing or organizing trips to the main attractions in the area. The beautiful Lake Manapouri, dotted with 35 pretty islands, is just nine miles (14km) away.
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