JUCY Snooze | 10 Things you need to do in Rotorua

Welcome to possibly the worst smelling place on Earth, Rotorua. A bubbling, rumbling place that is the cultural home of our indigenous people. You'll know on your roadie when you've bumped into this place, at first you'll think someone's cracked a stinker in your car! Let's not play the blame game here folks, the smell is a sign that you're heading the right way into Rotovegas , as the locals call it.  

Te Puia is your classic cultural experience. This place is the beating heart of our little nation in terms of culture and life. Steaming geysers shooting up in the air, bubbling forms of mud pools, magnificent carvings produced by the indigenous Maori people, this is a geothermal wonderland. Spend a good 2-3 hours at this site, soak in all the natural colors, visit a Marae in the park and receive a traditional warm welcoming. Our people are the most hospitable and will ask that you kindly embrace and join in the festivities, an experience you'll never forget. You'll feel like you've stepped back into the stone-age with its myriad, stunning alien-esque landscape. The Te Puia Maori Cultural Tour and Steambox Lunch for NZD$99pp is an excellent way to make the most of your visit here.  

An exciting, adrenaline filled day out, you'll be wanting to go again and again and again. This is a blast folks so don't miss out on this icon when in Rotovegas. Enjoy the scenic views over the lake and city, with vast panorama's, get those cameras out people! The gondola will whisk you high into the sky, it's a peaceful ride up the hill, one that is definitely not a stroll up! There are three tracks to choose from, scenic (2km), intermediate (1.7km) and advanced (1km). Frills and spills are all to be had, start a wager, chuck in a cheeky 20 and see who comes out on top. The building up the top includes one of the best restaurants in the city so if you're looking for a feed after your big day, look no further!  

Tranquility is the word that springs to mind when dipping into one of these baths. It's straight outta Shrek, but it's actually pretty good, get stuck in people and get dirty. Used traditionally by the local Maori as a place of revitalization and well-being this place has been cherished for centuries. Hell's Gate (as the place is known) got the name from a famous British playwright, George Bernard Shaw, who believed he had crossed the gates of Hell on his visit. There are many varying pools and packages to choose from, along with massages, who doesn't love a little back rub right?! It is well worth a visit where you can feel New Zealand breathing under you, with its geothermal wonders.   

If you're a gardening person then this is a place of solace for you. These gardens are beautifully preserved and manicured, in the setting of possibly the most stunning piece of architecture in the country, the Rotorua Museum- apparently the most photographed building in New Zealand. Originally a bath house, this building has a Tudor-style architectural façade. The surrounds exhibit other old government funded buildings that date back to the early 1900's. It boasts marble sculptures, tennis and bowling courts. A lovely park to visit for an afternoon stroll located in the heart of the city.  

Get up close and personal with some colorful, fury and scaly critters. This place houses the best of New Zealand's diverse flora and fauna. We have some of the most spectacular bird life anywhere and this place puts it all on display. Unfortunately, even though it is our national symbol, it's unlikely that you'll ever come across a Kiwi whilst on your stay. They only ever come out in the night time and struggle to survive/ breed. Thankfully, this wildlife sanctuary exhibits a few of these furry, long-nosed birds. They have a breeding program for them here which is a great initiative to see as these lil ones are struggling. Other iconic NZ mammals like the Tuatara, Kakapo and Kea can be found here. Housing some beautiful gardens and a river-raft ride with a huge drop at the end, this is like an outdoor Museum rather than Zoo.   

BOOMFAH! That's the sound of you hitting the water after a huge drop. Strap on in for this wild ride people, you're going to have the time of your life, just close your eyes and listen to your instructor's safety briefings. There'll be plenty of expletives on your way down the drink and be sure to bring a towel because you're gonna get wet, that's just a given. Soaked. The Kaituna river holds the record for the highest rafted waterfall in the world, Tutea falls @ 7m. This is grade 5 material, which is the maximum grade any beginner can raft. This means the waters are volatile with unpredictable currents and large drops. Believe in yourself. Don't worry you won't die. :) 

This place is for only those that are young at heart. 4 x 4 self drive buggies, horse trekking, clay shooting, quad biking and so much more. This is a great day out. Strap in for a wild ride here folks! This is a day full of activities that you wanted to do, but never quite managed to get around doing. This place gets rave reviews and will have you sprinting through the country side, across a farm and native bush. Burn some rubber and cover that quad in mud, even pull a cheeky donut, we dare you to push the limits of yourself and your partner in crime!  

Canopy tour  

Go Tarzan and swing through the bush! Not literally, unfortunately New Zealand does not inhibit Monkey's, but we've figured our way through the trees. Get lost in thick bush and push your limits of fear. You'll be swingin, jumpin, high wirin and your afternoon will also fly by. This is a true blue NZ activity. High bridges, flying foxes, leaps of faith high up in the trees, you'll have to be willing to take some risks on your journey up in the dense forest surrounds. You'll be brought straight back to your childhood (if you're not young at heart any longer, which is sad) and will want to say 'again, again!' On the zip lines. A great activity for the inner adventurer in you!  

Unwind at the natural Polynesian Spa located near to the government gardens. Treat yo self and soak in the minerally goodness that will relax you and refresh your mind, body and soul. There are many packages to suite your pampering prowess. They say a holiday refreshes you but all you'll need is a visit to this paradise. Open 365 days of the year, facials, massages, pools, this place is your day for ultimate relaxation of the highest quality (a good one for the ladies in particular).  

Zorbing  

Ok, so surely you must've heard of this crazy activity. You'll get chucked in an inflatable ball and get rolled down a hill. Yup, this is what we like to do for fun down in the far corners of the Earth. You even get the option of slippin in slidin with water available for good measure. It's just a funner roley-poley. There are many tracks to choose from, some straight forward and others that zig-zag. If you're not smiling and laughing in pure joy at the end then go see a doctor. Bizarrely, Zorbing is actually a competitive sport. Where do I sign up?