Whakarewarewa for a truly unique cultural experience

The Whakarewarewa thermal valley is the world's most accessible geothermal site, making it the ideal visitor destination for those new to New Zealand and equally for New Zealanders locally and nationally - why miss out on the beauty of your own country?

For over 200 years the tribes of the Whakarewarewa region have welcomed visitors into their backard, and that tradition continues today with modern day guides who entertain visitors with guided tours filled with stories, legends, performances and food.

A tour of Whakarewarewa would not be fully complete without a traditional Maori hangi meal, which in Whakarewarewa style, is unlike any other in New Zealand. Being the only living geothermal Maori village, Whakarewarewa is gifted with geothermal vents that steam-cook the food whereas other forms of traditional hangi cooking around New Zealand use heated rocks in a dug-out pit.

Whakarewarewa incorporates a geothermal landscape with a traditional Maori village, to deliver to guests a place of natural wonder and cultural and historical significance. With over 500 hot springs, 65 geyser vents and only three kilometres from Rotorua, Whakarewarewa village is an easily accessible and extremely popular tourist destination.

Pohutu Geyser

Whakarewarewa is home to the largest geyser in New Zealand, the legendary Pohutu geyser, which was recently ranked in the world’s top 5 geysers by Lonely Planet, and when you are up close and personal to this natural wonder you will understand why. The mighty Pohutu geyser which erupts up to 15 times a day and shoots hot water around 30 meters (100 feet) skywards, makes it one of the most reliable geysers on earth.

Eruptions can last from a few minutes to several days, and in one rare case between 2000 and 2001, Pohutu Geyser erupted for over 250 days.

Te Puia

Whakarewarewa is known as the Living Thermal Village with a history of occupancy spanning back hundereds of years and today it boarders Te Puia, a 60 hectare site which includes the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, a live kiwi enclosure, the world-famous Pohutu Geyser and more than 500 geothermal wonders.

With land steeped in ancestral history, and a guiding legacy that stretches back to the 1800s, Te Puia extend their unique hospitality and rich cultural heritage to all visitors. Their aim is for guests to arrive as visitors and leave as a family.

The Whakarewarewa Experience

The Whakarewarewa experience treats visitors to a traditional Maori cultural performance, which after a day of guided tours, walking and soaking in information is a nice change of pace. Combine that with a traditional hangi meal and you have an authentically replicated Maori experience.

However, you can take that experience even further and opt in for an overnight stay which will see ten or more guests treated to a traditional Marae stay complete with traditional welcome, tour, education on traditions and dinner. Also included is an evening performance through to next day activities designed to fully round off your cultural experience.

For more information on Whakarewarewa and to book your guided tour experience, visit their website or to turn your time in the Rotorua region into a fully serviced, geothermal adventure that incorporates history, knowledge, adventure and tradition - why not add in a visit to Buried Village. The insights the archeological trail is able to offer in terms of the after effects of a devastating eruption, combined with other geothermal considerations is truly unique and aimed to enrich your overall experience and understanding.