Rotorua is one of the world’s foremost destinations for fishing enthusiasts, with many productive fishing locations for the keen angler. Enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the sights and tranquillity of the region’s crystal-like spring fed waterways. Rotorua’s sensational scenery forms the ideal backdrop for the fishing holiday of a lifetime. Fun, adventure and relaxation are assured for the visitor to the region.

Rotorua features no less than 14 pristine lakes whose unusual shapes and contours have been created by powerful volcanic activities in years past. Many of these locations have Maori history and legend associated with them; you will hear tales of lovers who bravely swam across the lakes for secret rendezvous and of ghostly canoes floating across the misty waters. Most of the lakes, surrounded by farmland and forest are easily accessed by visitors.

From your boat you will find that Lake Rotorua boasts possibly the greatest catch rate for wild trout on the globe, with an average catch rate of three fish per hour. Weights average 3 kg for Brown Trout and 1.5 kg for Rainbow Trout. During the peak season of late summer the stream mouths of Lake Rotorua offer astounding fishing opportunities. Three other lakes are considered to be exceptional for angling, namely Rotoiti, Tarawera and Okataina. Trolling and jigging are considered the methods of choice, but fly fishing is sometimes optimal.

Meanwhile the streams and rivers in the vicinity of Rotorua offer somewhat different fishing opportunities. The most suitable fishing style here is sight-based fly fishing. Since the waterways are perfectly clear, you must stealthily approach the desired fish, and tempt it with the bait. Sight fishing naturally involves walking through a considerable area of water in order to snare the best fish.

In addition to healthy populations of Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout, occasional catches of Brook and Tiger Trout can be obtained. Most anglers practice catch and release but it is generally permissible to retain a fish from your expedition.

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It was a hallowed day back in 1886 when the picturesque village of Te Wairoa was almost entirely buried after a mammoth eruption of nearby Mount Tarawera. Preserved due to the volcanic ash that literally dissolved the city, its natural and man-made structures as well as community elements more than a century in age are now on display at the “Buried Village” in one of New Zealand’s most haunting historic attractions to date. Frequented by visitors young and old the remains of the a once thriving village community can now be explored in its entirety with guided tours taking visitors on a trip back through the annals of time to 19th century New Zealand and the natural disaster that rocked one of its most scenic corners.

Sprawled across 12 acres the unique historic site encompasses a wide range of highlights which include a parkland like open space where towering trees and bird life offer a quiet reminder of the events that shaped the area well over a century ago. Guests can take a tour of the former village’s civic structures and public buildings all preserved by the thick layer of volcanic ash that covered the structures in 1886. The tours are conducted by none other than the decedents of those who once occupied the village of Te Wairoa, locally dubbed the Tuhourangis. The excavated village indeed serves as a living testament to the mayhem that ensued the night the volcano erupted while the acclaimed Museum of Te Wairoa examines the history of the village, its community life and the story of the pink and white terraces.

Those who wish to enhance their knowledge of the Maori community can grab an insightful book or souvenir from the Smith’s Souvenir Store which also offers a wide range of publications on Maori culture, mythology and history. After a visit to the Buried Village, guests can stopover at the Te Wairoa Tearooms where snacks such as scones and Devonshire tea are served in a homely setting.

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New Zealand is a nature lover’s paradise. Home to an array of exquisite bird, fish and animals, this country offers plenty of activities where you can enjoy interesting encounters with these species. One such activity most loved by many is dolphin watching. There is such pleasure in watching these large mammals displaying remarkable acrobatic skills as they occasionally surface from the ocean. Dolphins are fortunately, friendly species found in abundance in the seas of New Zealand.

There are a total of 13 different species of dolphin in and around the waters of New Zealand of which the largest is the Killer Whale. The most frequently sighted dolphins are the Common, Dusky, Bottlenose and Hectors dolphins. The Hector Dolphin is an interesting endemic species as it swims only within the waters of New Zealand in the east and west coasts of the South Islands and is found nowhere else in the world. The Marlborough Sounds, Otago Peninsula and Kaikoura are other locations where one can find Common, Bottlenose and Dusky varieties.  You can also find Duskies in the Chatham, Cambell and Subantarctic Auckland islands. If you are lucky you may even encounter a number of rare varieties that swim within these waters.

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Littered with stunning lakes, larger than life rivers and wondrous lakes the land of the Kiwis is an avid kayaker’s dream come true. Frequented by kayaking and rafting enthusiasts from across the world the breathtaking scenic beauty the country is known for only enhances the kayaking experience as the surrounding landscapes are truly awe-inspiring at every turn. The sheer variety of inland waterways has also made kayaking one of the best ways to explore the natural beauty of the islands.

The best kayaking hotspots in Northland are concentrated around its natural wonders which includes the trail along Haruru Falls where kayakers can explore the environs of the cascade in a two hour kayak down the rapids. White water rafting opportunities in Northland on the other hand are found along the Mohaka and Rangitaiki. Winery tours on kayak are also available while Auckland’s best kayaking venues include tours around Puhoi River.

The Rotorua Lakes are Central North Island’s finest kayaking destinations as it packs in the mesmerizing waters of Lake Okareka, Lake Rotorua, Lake Okataina and Lake Rotoiti all in one route. The Landing in Lake Tarawera is another highlight while the pumice infested waters of Lake Orakei Korako are also frequented by seasoned visitors.

Lake Taupo on the other hand is ideal for a bit of history and rafting as the tours encompass stopovers to view Maori rock art and the idyllic bays of the lake. The longest navigational water body in the country, Whanganui River is another favourite as kayakers get to experience unspoiled natural splendour in one of New Zealand’s most remote areas. The sprawling Abel Tasman National Park  also offers four days worth of kayaking excursions all in one picturesque location.

South Island’s most popular white-water rafting venues are of course Kawarau and Clutha where beginner paddlers are also welcome to take on the rapids after thorough practice sessions in calmer river beds.

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New Zealand is undeniably one of the most beautiful countries on the planet. Situated on the south western part of the Pacific Ocean, the island nation is renowned for its fabulous scenery, exciting festivals and exquisite cuisine. Despite all this New Zealand remains free from the crowds found in other vacation spots and tourists can enjoy their holiday in peace. However, the island is receiving more and more tourists each year, all of them keen on exploring the country’s various nature trails. In addition to hiking and trekking, NZ is famous for a variety of adventure sports such as kayaking and skydiving.

The Marlborough Sounds is the name given to a vast network of submerged valleys that remain open to the sea (this type of formation is called a ria). They are formed due to a combination of rising sea levels and land subsidence. The valleys are located on the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island. According to Maori legend, the Sounds are actually supposed to be the prows of the sunken canoes of Aoraki. With over a thousand kilometres of coastline to be explored the Marlborough Sounds is ripe for adventure.

The Sounds main channels are quite calm and are just perfect for sea kayaking. As kayakers navigate the serpentine channels, they will come across breathtaking landscapes. Some of the narrow channels have especially strong tides and it is important to hire an experienced guide to avoid accidentally wandering into them. One can also visit the nearby Queen Charlotte Track, widely regarded as the best in the nation. Offering wide, clean paths and beautiful scenery, the Queen Charlotte Track is the ideal place for hiking and mountain biking. As parts of the trail pass through private land, there is a fee one must pay for passage.

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Featuring a Tudor-style spa bath house, Government Gardens in Rotorua offers a scenic escape in the city where one can enjoy some rest, relaxation and recreation with the entire family. Located near the lake in downtown Rotorua, this picturesque 50 acre land was originally gifted by the Maori people. A garden was planted on the land, while later on a bath house was built here that drew people from all around the world looking to enjoy the area’s healing waters. This bath house building today houses a museum, while the gardens is also home to such sites of interest as the Kwaqiulth Totem Pole, the Arawa Soldiers Memorial and a golf course. Those in search of a centrally located hotel in Rotorua can stay at Millennium Hotel Rotorua. This modern Rotorua hotel makes an ideal base from which to explore the city and its many attractions.

Auckland’s spectacular Hauraki Gulf is one of New Zealand’s treasure-trove of attractions waiting to be explored. It occupies a total area of 4000 square kilometres and consists of over 50 spectacular islands and plenty of clear and secluded beaches amidst amazing scenery and wildlife. It is adventurous and exciting, while being amazingly relaxing at the same time. Most of the Hauraki Gulf is made up of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park which has a wealth of marine biodiversity.

The Hauraki Gulf has plenty of places where you can hire boats and skis to undertake in activities like jet skiing and fishing. Nature enthusiasts can visit the stunning nature park within its boundaries that boasts a rich population of Common and Bottlenose dolphins that can be seen in abundance on a cruise in the ocean. The park also has 25 species of marine mammals and an intriguing number of bird species which includes Kiwis, Brown Teals, Takahes and many others. The park in itself occupies a total of 1.2 million hectares and includes the Firth of Thames, Waitemata Harbour and the eastern coastline of the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. The park takes special efforts in the protection of species and has specific sanctuaries for specific endangered species which requires a permit for visiting.

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Experiencing the Great Walk through the environs of Lake Waikaremoana is truly the experience of a lifetime. The Lake Waikaremoana Track generally follows the contours of the huge lake, and is contained entirely within the limits of the Te Urewera National Park. Over a duration of three or four days the trail will lead you across stretches of untouched rainforest, wetland areas of shrubland, and a mystical ‘goblin forest’. Visitors will encounter majestic waterfalls, rivers and ghostly mist-shrouded valleys.

The renowned Lake Waikaremoana trail features the largest extent of native forest within North Island. This area is the traditional home of the people known as ‘Ngai Tuhoe’, and is also reputed to be the abode of the ‘patupaiarehe’, legendary fairylike creatures with a penchant for mischief. In the tranquil beauty of the forest you will almost hear fairy voices and ethereal music.

The challenging ascent to the Panekire Bluffs is perhaps the most difficult part of the track, but it provides a wonderful reward; sensational views across forests, lakes and seemingly never-ending mountains.

Verdant beech forests characteristic of the southern hemisphere cover much of the environs of Lake Waikaremoana. As you go higher you will see that the red beech trees give way to the distinctive silver beech. Visitors are enthralled when they first see the magical ‘goblin forest’; the twisted and bent silver beeches, weathered by winter snows and the winds, are adorned with moss and lichen. As visitors traverse the headlands they will encounter the unmistakable rimu trees which tower over the other vegetation.

The region is a birdwatcher’s delight, with numerous avian species to be seen in the environs. Particularly appealing are the wood pigeons (kereru), the tui with its melodious calls, playful fantails, paradise ducks, grey mallards, white-faced herons and kingfishers.

Several other activities may be experienced at Te Urewera, including shorter less challenging walks. The Onepoto Caves track will take you on an exciting underground adventure. You may also hire canoes ad kayaks at Lake Waikaremoana.

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Around 15 minutes by car from Queenstown, Lake Hayes is a picturesque lake near Arrowtown that offers an idyllic getaway for the entire family. The lake and the surrounding area make a perfect spot for a picnic, while swimming is a popular activity that can be enjoyed especially during the hot summer months. The track that runs around Lake Hayes is ideal for such outdoor recreational pursuits as walking, cycling and bird watching set amidst a stunning mountain backdrop. Offering a truly memorable stay in the city, Millennium Hotel Queenstown is a luxury hotel Queenstown that provides guests with the very best in facilities and services. This hotel in Queenstown is also ideal for those looking to experience the many activities and outdoor adventures the region has to offer.