North Island Gem: Rotorua 2-Day Itinerary 🌋✨
Day 1: Rotorua’s Natural Wonders 📍 Hamurana Springs 🚶♀️💧 Alternative to Blue Springs (closed til Christmas). 1hr walk: Crystal-clear turquoise water + towering redwoods. $18 entry (skip if budget tight—try Redwoods Treewalk instead). 📍 Rotorua City Stroll 🌆 Skyline Rotorua: Gondola & luge (skip if rainy). Lakefront Boardwalk: Perfect for picnics Kuirau Park: Free geothermal foot baths + steaming vents (hello, sulfur aroma!). Government Gardens: Historic bathhouse-turned-museum (under renovation). ♨️ Polynesian Spa 🌅 Lake-view hot pools at sunset (bring swimsuit + towel!). Pro tip: Tie your hair—sulfur smell lingers! 😷 Day 2: Geothermal Adventures → Taupo 🌋 Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland 10:15am Lady Knox Geyser show (arrive by 9:30am for seats!). Hiking routes: Choose from 45min → 2.5hr trails (*Route 3 = stair workout!*). 💦 Huka Falls (30min drive) North Island’s star attraction—even South Island fans gasp! 😍 🍔 Taupo Pit Stop "World’s Coolest McDonald’s" in a real airplane! ✈️ Better idea: Grab takeaways for Lake Taupo picnic (Kiwi-style chairs everywhere!). #NZTravel #RotoruaDiaries #GeothermalWonders