CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND
ROTORUA, RUAPEHU AND LAKE TAUPO
ROTORUA
There is a wide range of Rotorua accommodation letting you unwind and then soak up all there is to offer in this central North Island town. From the moment you arrive, the scent of sulphur tells you that Rotorua is different. Steam escapes from crevices in the ground, gardens bloom alongside bubbling craters and geysers shoot for the sky in this geothermal haven.
Hotels in Rotorua are located right on the doorstep of where you can indulge in mineral pools, mud wraps and massages. 160 years after the first Europeans arrived to 'spa' in Rotorua, visitors are still enjoying the therapeutic properties of the geothermal resources. Rotorua accommodation also lets you partake in Rotorua's community. In the spirit of hospitality, Manaakitanga encompasses the cultural strength of Rotorua's people; the amazing geothermal earth forces of the region; the natural beauty of the forests, lakes and rivers; and the development of sustainable tourism.
Manaakitanga is a deep-rooted concept in Maori culture. It is a challenge to Rotorua to offer visitors the best experience. It is also your invitation to discover the very essence of New Zealand in this exceptional region. Voted New Zealand's Most Beautiful City in 1999, 2000 and 2002, Rotorua's striking gardens, cobbled streets and fascinating mix of Maori and English Tudor architecture give the city a significant point of difference. Beyond the urban centre, a backdrop of geothermal steam, volcanic mountains and huge crater lakes remind you that this region rests immediately above the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Rotorua is a 3 hour drive from the main international gateway city of Auckland. Rotorua airport receives daily domestic flights from Auckland (40 minutes), Christchurch (1¼ hours) and Queenstown (2½ hours). From Rotorua you can drive to surf beaches (1 hour), a national park (1½ hours) ski fields in winter (2½ hours) and one of New Zealand's major wine regions (2½ hours).
Accommodation in Rotorua includes Rotorua hotels, motels, lodges, self-contained accommodation, cabins and cottages, bed and breakfast accommodation, apartments and resort accomodation in Rotorua. Backpacker accomadation in Rotorua is also available.
LAKE TAUPO REGION
Taupo accommodation is well placed for you to explore the Lake Taupo region. This is New Zealand's volcanic heartland and is rich in Maori tradition. It also has some of the country's finest untouched, uncrowded and unique landscapes. The lake itself was the result of the most violent volcanic eruption the world has seen in the last 5000 years - the ash affected the sunsets as far away as Europe and China. Maori legend explains the lake a different way. When Ngatoirangi, the chief tohunga (priest) of the Arawa people, first saw the region he was dismayed to find a barren basin. Realising his people needed resources to live, he plucked a large totara tree and hurled it into the crater to seed a new forest. His aim was true, but the wind flipped the totara and it landed upside down, piercing the ground with its branches. Water gushed up through the holes, filling the basin and creating Lake Taupo.
Taupo hotels are well placed for you to soak up the rich Maori history and take in some of the key features. Lake Taupo is indeed Australasia's largest lake and was created by a gigantic volcanic eruption in 181AD. At 616 square kilometres, it is as big as Singapore Island. The lake's attractive pumice sand beaches give it the appearance of an inland ocean. Taupo accommodation is well placed for the keen trout fisherperson. Rainbow and brown trout were liberated in Lake Taupo more than 100 years ago. Open for fishing 12 months a year, the lake and its adjoining rivers represent one of the last true wild trout fisheries in the world. It's an intriguing geothermal landscape. Over thousands of years, volcanic action has created a landscape of simmering craters, boiling mud pools, fumaroles and steam vents. Maori mythology is richly interwoven with the geothermal features of the region.
Accommodation in Taupo includes Taupo hotels, motels, lodges, self-contained accommodation, cabins and cottages, bed and breakfast accommodation, apartments and resort accomodation in Taupo. Affordable Backpacker accomadation in Taupo is also available.
There are many popular regions to stay nearby Taupo - for example, browse through Waikato and Waitomo Hotels, Eastland Hotels, and our Manawatu Hotels... and more!
RUAPEHU REGION
Ruapehu accommodation is perfect to explore all that the region has to offer; and the fact that Ruapehu is home to not one, but two National Parks, indicates just how much this actually is! Both parks are as diverse as they are treasured; there is the volcanic landscape of the Tongariro National Park (a World Heritage listed area), and the remote Whanganui National Park, a park of diverse landscapes.
The Tongariro National Park is perhaps the main attraction of the area. It holds a special place in the heart of many New Zealanders; not only is it the location for three of New Zealands most impressive natural features - the active volcanoes Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe - but it was also New Zealand's first National Park. The volcanic hiking and skiing in the area is second to none ... it's not often one can claim to have skied down an active volcano, but with Ruapehu accommodation this feat is only a stones throw away. The Whanganui National Park is a stunning location for hikers and kayakers. In a single national park, one feels as if they are exploring several different worlds; there are fast running rivers, slow running rivers, waterfalls, deep gorges, and vast wilderness areas with countless types of fauna and flora.
Use Ruapehu accommodation in both the winter and summer. In the winter, the area is a haven for ski bunnies. Mt Ruapehu is home to two of the largest ski areas in New Zealand; Whakapapa on the northern side, and Turoa on the southern, and can also lay claim to the fact that it is home to New Zealand's longest vertical drop - 722m, at the Turoa field. Snow season generally runs from late June until early November. In the summer, enjoy the hiking and kayaking. There is something for every traveller here, year round.
The Ruapehu area is a chance to enjoy all that natures beauty offers; however, there is also an excellent range of shops and restaurants in the area for those needing their daily dose of metropolitan interaction. Use Ruapehu accommodation to explore the many cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs in the region. There are many fashion label shops, and of course any hiking/skiing/kayaking equipment you might need is easily found in one of the many camping and adventure stores.
Taumarunui - Taumarunui is a town in the King Country of the central North Island of New Zealand. Accommodation in Taumarunui includes affordable hotel accommodation.
National Park Village borders the World Heritage Tongariro National Park to the east and the Whanganui National Park, to the west. It is located near the base of Mt Ruapehu and Whakapapa ski field. In winter the mountains provide a huge playground for skiers and snowboarders at New Zealand's biggest ski resort, Whakapapa ski field on Mount Ruapehu. In the summer the area comes alive with trampers for the Tongariro Crossing, mountain bikers, canoeing, rock climbers, adventure seekers and walkers of the many volcanic hikes. Accommodation in National Park Village includes motel and unit accommodation.
Ohakune - Ohakune, a town on the North Island, is located at the southern tip of the Tongariro National Park, close to the south western slopes of Mt Ruapehu.
An interesting fact about Ohakune is that it is home to what is reputedly the world's largest model of a carrot! Use Ohakune accommodation to explore this charming country town, which is attractive as a base for numerous outdoor activities - such as skiing on the Turoa ski fields, mountain walking and bush tramping ... the perfect place to reconnect with nature! Accommodation in Ohakune includes motel and apartment accommodation.
Accommodation in New Zealand includes luxury hotels to stylish country lodges, self-contained New Zealand accomodation and friendly, affordable backpackers hostels. New Zealand offers you a range of accommodation choices for every budget.
