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Rotorua - The Ultimate Hot Spot

Published: Mon 21 Jun 2004 12:35 AM
21 June 2004
Rotorua - The Ultimate Hot Spot These School Holidays
As Walter will tell you, a relaxing soak in naturally-heated thermal pools is just one way to warm up in Rotorua these school holidays.
Other 'hot' activities for the family this winter include the 2004 Push Cart Derby for kids and adults alike (July 5), the Hella Battery Town International Rally of Rotorua (July 9 - 10), exploring geothermal parks, taking a thrilling ride on the luge, visiting the newly upgraded Aquatic Centre or checking out the lion cubs Zak and Zalika at Paradise Valley Springs - to name a few!
Tourism Rotorua's Domestic Marketing Manager, Ruth Goldsbury Hapi, says Rotorua is always a popular school holiday destination and expects this winter to be busier than ever. She says Rotorua's attraction operators and accommodation providers are gearing up for a fun and busy winter.
"Rotorua's amazing mix of attractions, activities, lakes, eateries and accommodation options make it the perfect choice for a family holiday. There's always something new to see or do...Add a host of free things to do and it makes Rotorua an affordable option for a family holiday too," says Ms Goldsbury Hapi.
8 things you may not know about Rotorua:
-Rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year. Unlike other cities, Rotorua doesn't tend to experience a strong "wet season."
-Snow is also rare; a light snowfall has been recorded only 4 times in Rotorua since 1964. Hail can be expected on 3 days per year.
-Rotorua's early tourism development centred around its unrivalled geothermal and volcanic attractions, lakes and unique Maori culture. Much of the early stimulus for development came from the New Zealand Government, which set out at the turn of the 20th century to develop Rotorua as a world-renowned spa and tourism destination.
-By road, Rotorua is 234 kilometres from Auckland and 457 kilometres from Wellington.
-New Zealand's only excavated archaeological site on display for public viewing can be found in Rotorua. The village of Te Wairoa was buried by the eruption of Mt Tarawera in 1886, giving visitors an insight into the region's violent volcanic past.
-With ample gardens, parks, lakes and cobble-stoned streets, Rotorua was voted New Zealand's Most Beautiful City in 1999, 2000 and 2002.
-15 lakes make up Rotorua's lake-land chain - the biggest is Lake Rotorua, the smallest is the Blue Lake and the warmest is Lake Rotomahana.
-Rotorua has the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere - with a 7 metre drop!
And best of all...
-Rotorua is known for its unique Manaakitanga (spirit of hospitality, blessing). A deep-rooted Maori cultural concept, Manaakitanga places a responsibility on the people of Rotorua, as hosts, to give visitors the best of themselves, their time and their history.
ENDS

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