Steve Osborne from Rotorua’s Alpin Motel & Conference Centre lets us in on his favourite picnic spots – so round up the friends and family, pack up a hamper and discover some local gems…
“Rotorua has some of the best ever picnic spots – from natural hot springs to good old-fashioned family fun down at the Lakefront. Here are my personal favourites.”
Tarawera Falls – A spectacular spot surrounded by native bush. The water here surges out of fissures in a large rock cliff-face. The cliff is the end of an ancient lava flow that is believed to have poured from an erupting Mt Tarawera about 11,000 years ago. Allow yourself six hours to enjoy this ‘Day in the Country’. The falls are located near the town of Kawarau in the Bay of Plenty.
Lake Okataina – A great place for a swim, with beautiful water and superb views of Mount Tarawera. This will become ‘your lake’ as the leafy lane from State Highway 30 to Okataina is absolutely stunning and well worth the journey. There are toilets and picnic areas at Tauranganui and Humphries Bays. Located near Lake Rotoiti.
Hamurana Springs – This is a nice, family area with calming picnic spots in a picturesque setting. At the northern end of Lake Rotorua, Hamurana is famous for its crystal clear fresh water spring that flows downstream into Lake Rotorua. The Redwood grove that you walk through is unique, and the surrounding wildlife sanctuary has many species of birds including black teal, herons and the endangered dabchick.
Kerosene Creek – This ‘free’ hot spring is a small stream that flows downhill through natural bush. There is a good old Kiwi corrugated iron changing shed there. Bathers have excavated small smooth rocks to form their own little hot pools that you can sit next to and enjoy the hot water cascading down. It will provide memories like you used to have on the old Sunday Drive! It’s located 20km south of Rotorua off State Highway 5.
Rotorua Lakefront – Rotorua Lakefront is a picnic spot that has something for everyone. Watch the Float planes take off and land; and the helicopters as they leave to fly to White Island and over Mount Tarawera; pedal a boat among the ducks and swans; watch the tourists as they board the Lakeland Queen for a luncheon cruise, view the Te Arawa canoe or just sit on the village green and watch the world go by.
Tell us all about your favourite picnic spots.
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