My daughter and I are traveling around New Zealand for two weeks and are about to leave Auckland for Rotorua. We had wanted to do a "hangi" Maori dinner but are seeing the prices are $100 a person. Has anyone done this recently and did you think it was worth the money? I am feeling it is a tourist trap thing but if it is worth it,please advise ASAP! My daughter and I don't eat oysters or mussels and saw that that was part of the meal. any thing else you would recommend for Rotorua as we are going two nights? Thanks so much!
Rotorua New Zealand -help ASAP!
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Well, I wouldn't pay that much for a Hangi... But if you really want to do it, the food is usually really good!
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Some highlights in Rotorua would include:
The Bath House - Rotorua's museum (and one of the coolest historic buildings architecturally in the entire country). It's just in the main park, not hard to find.
A stroll along the lake edge.
Definitely go to Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland! There is an amazing geyser, lots of beautiful, colourful geothermal pools and formations (strong sulfur smell, but it is really worth seeing!). It's about ten minutes drive out of Rotorua and well signposted.
If you are into rolling down hills in giant plastic balls, go check out ZORB or OGO, very fun and wet and exhilerating (cheaper if you go in the same ball together)! Short drive heading out of Rotorua.
If you would like to visit hot pools/thermal pools, the Polynesian Spa is really classy, but also pricey. And do beware that the water is at scalding temperatures, so if it's a really hot day, it probably wouldn't be much fun.
You may also want to check out the Rainbow Springs Kiwi House and Water Park. I haven't been there, but it does look quite nice! And you can sometimes see baby Kiwi birds there
Our experience wasn't recent, but we really enjoyed the concert and hangi at Te Puia. http://www.tepuia.com/ It didn't feel overly touristy, the concert was entertaining and educational, and the food was very tasty. If I remember correctly, it's served buffet style, so you don't have to take any food you wouldn't normally eat.
Lee Ann
Update-We ended up doing the walk tour on our own and 45 minute cultural dancing at Te Puia in Rotorua. It was a lovely day there and not commercial like the others. My daughter is a marine geologist and was very upset about Wai o Tapo thermal park putting soap in the main geyser to get it going. I would also recommend going to the FREE thermal park in town called Kuirau Park too-interesting and is different.
We headed down to Taupo after Rortorua which gave us extra days of thermal park touring which I highly recommend!