Rotorua is notable for Beautiful Scenic Trips in addition to Wonderful Thermal Activity

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 269, 8 July 1932, Page 8

Rotorua is notable for Beautiful Scenic Trips in addition to Wonderful Thermal Activity

Some Qems Which Should Not Be Missed

Six Lakes Trip

The Six Lakes trip is in the nature of a luxury trip — Tikitere excepted. Leaving Rotorua, the road follows the eastern shore of Rotorua Lake and commands fine iews of the lake and Mokoia Island. The country to the right marks the scene of early native missionary enterprise, and here the first English niissionaries were successful in planting hedgerows and wooded areas in true English landscape style. The route is in part typically English and merges into the weirdest and most dangerous locality in the whole of the thermai regions, for nowhere else in the world is there such an intense concentration of heat as found at Tikitere. The hardest rock is reduced to a violently agitated molten mass, impregnated with acids, and casting off a variety of noxious fumes. No effort is required to picture the inferno that lies not far beneath the surface, and that finds escape in the f orm of blinding steam, issuing through treacherous, seething depths of mud. At Tikitere a guide is compulsory; the tourist is escorted through the labyrinth bearing such names as Hell's Gate, the Devii's Porridge Pot, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Devii's Rocking Chair, etc. Without a guide, Tikitere is dangerous. Passing Tikitere, Lake Rotoiti comes within view. The many wooded indentations of this favourite lake, the background of bush, sheer cliffs, sequestered bays and inlets, delightful beaches, form a superb picture of natural beauty. Its shores are dotted with ancient Maori settlements and said to contain specimens of native carvings, the most faultless of their land. Leaving Rotoiti, the car enbers the famous Hongl's Track, along which the formidable warrior frequently passed and. where still flourish the Sacred and the Hangman's Tree; the haunts of spirits whose goodwill and protection are sought to this day by Maoris passing along the track, and propitiatory offerings in the shape of wreaths and green leaves are still plaeed at the base of the trees. Lakes Rotoehu and Rotoma embrace scenery into which every element of beauty enters ; and by the roadside between the lakes, the wonderful soda, magnesia, and iron spring is visited. The spring, sparkling and clear as crystal, is of unique curative value. Here the naturalist is in his element; the lakes and the dense bush surrounding them serve as a sanctuary for birds that elsewhere are becoming rare. The bittern is freuently to be seen and the note of the kiwi heard. The road branching off to Lake Okataina leads for nearly five miles through magnificent native bush. Here the glories of New Zealand's primeval forest and clustered fern, the habitat of the bell bird, the tui, and others whose notes attain extraordinary purity, are seen to perfection, and in an environment that for centuries has remained unchanged. Okataina Lake has played a classieal part in the life of the early natives. Hidden among superb bush-covered hills, canoes moved freely across its waters to mysterious pahs and secret burial places long before the appearanee of the white man; and traces of bygone history in the form of derelict pahs and burial places are still to be seen. Lake Rotokawau fills the crater of a volcano that became extinct ages ago. The lake has inaccessible, precipitous sides and lies like ' a gem in an amphitheatre of bush. Fish, lcnowing no fear of the enemy, swarm in its quiet, unfathomable waters.

Round Trip

The famous Round Trip can be described as a summary of sights ranging from the most exquisite natural scenery to grim volcanic desolation, and including the most historic area of thermai activity in New Zealand. Cars, in charge of . thoroughly experienced drivers, leave Rotorua daily, the first object of - interest en route to Wairoa being the Government plantation, part of a vast and successful afforestafcion scheme by which the Government and private enterprise are redeeming and putting to p?rofitable use many thousands of acres of pumice land, which, until comparatively recent times, was believed to be sterile. The car, both on the outward and homeward journey passes the boundaries of 10,000 acres of rugged country covered with a variety of useful trees thriving in volcanic soil, and a source of potential wealth to New Zealand. The great earthauake fissure formed after the eruption of 1886, follows the road for a distance of two miles; then comes the Tikitapu bush, almost instantly destroyed by the intense heat of the eruption, but now rapidly springing back into life and to its primeval magnificence. The car then reaches the far-famed Blue (Tikitapu) Lake, and immediately afterwards the Green (Rotokakahi) Lake. Unique in colourings, especially when seen in the morning sun, the lakes present a scene of enchantment enhanced by their beautiful and picturesque setting. Wairoa Valley, containing the ruins of the village destroyed in 1886, next comes into view, and well repays close inspection. The locality is of thrilling interest and of great educational value, and it was from this spot the terrors of the eruption were most vividly seen and experienced. Tarawera Mountain, across the waters of Tarawera Lake, presents a forbidding and threatening appearanee; its desolate and gaunt outline recaljiing the tragic events of the fateful morning of June 10, 1886, when scientists contend a cubic mile of heated rock, lava, scoria, with flame and incandescent gases was ejeeted, spreading desolation over thousands of square miles. The eruption is graphically described by the guide who escorts the tourist by launch across the seven miles of lake. Superb views are obtained from the launch and many objects of interest pointed out. Disembarking beneath the shadow of Tarawera Mountain, a short journey on foot over bleak volcanic country littered with debris cast out by the eruption, brings the traveller to Lake Rotomahana. Slumbering beneath this immense sheet of hot and boiling water are titanic forces that keep the lake in a state of uncanny suspense. From the cliffs to the right large volumes of steam escape from innumerable vents and fissures. The rocks are frequently shaken, and throughout the neighbourhood the thudding and oscillation caused by steam and water pressure in the depths beneath are plainly heard and felt. The launch, in charge of an experienced pilot, keeps to a safe course and passes high above the site where the two masterpieces of Nature, the Pink and White Terraces, formerly descended down the hillside. The launch lands its passengers at the foot of the wonderful Waimangu Valley. A walk of two miles through heat and thermai displays brings the traveller to the Waimangu Basin, and nearby, the formidable Waimangu Geyser, which when active, dwarfs every other geyser of which history has any record, in any part of the world. This perilous geyser, when active, throws a column of steam, mud, and rock to an unprecedented height of from 1,500 to 2,000 feet. The eruptions and tragedies associated with this historic geyser are explained by the guide. At the Aecommodation House, cars are in readiness for the return journey, the route traversing Earthquake Flat, and the western boundary of the Government plantation; while to the left is the country over which the early rival tribes -fought pitched battles, and where the remains of primitive defences and Maori pahs are still in 'existence.

Wairakei

The one day Wairakei trip commands special attention because of the wide variety of sights included in the tour. The journey there and back covers 120 miles, but is made under conditions of comfort that render fatigue iimjossible. The first fifteen miles have already been covered on the Round Trip; thence the car strikes into the very centre of the Thermai Regions, and traverses country that bears every mark of frequent and violent volcanic action. Rainbow Mountain derives its name from the irridescence of colour in stone and sand that decorates its slopes, over 100 tints having been distinguished. The vicinity of Rainbow Mountain is very active, the region meriting special notice because here the earth's crust is perilously weak and thin, scientists contending that the earth's internal fires approach within near distance of the surface. These conditions prevail over the wide extent of the Reporoa Plains, and although not spectacular, are potentially dangerous. The first important sight to be gained as the car enters the Taupo district is the Aratiatia cataract, a whirling, foaming rush of water which exemplifies not only majesty, but strength. Nothing can resist a torrent of such magnitude, which the tourist views in perfect safety from a rock platform pitched in the very centre of the rapids, the water crashing and roaring at his feet. The Huka Falls have been described as the prettiest sight in the North Island; the rush of water along the rock chasm as it approaches the falls, furnishing a thrilling spectacle. The Waikato River, perhaps the most ancient in the world, flows through a gorge hollowed out in the course of ages to an actual depth in parts of 150 feet. Across Lake Taupo on a clear day the three mountain ranges, snow-cov-ered and of dazzling whiteness, stand silhouetted against a background of deepest blue. The mountains comprise the National Park, and include the three famous summits of Tongariro, Ruapehu, and Ngauruhoe. The last-named, Ngauruhoe, is in frequent eruption, the cumulous black cloud of smoke standing in sharp contrast to the mantle of snow beneath. The immensity of Lake Taupo can only be appreciated by a visit to its shores. It receives as tributaries the waters of twenty-six rivers, the Waikato River being the only outlet. The Geyser Valley contains an impressive display of thermai activity. Included in the sights are Champagne Pool in violet agitation with intense heat, the Dragon's Mouth, the Eagle's Nest, Pink Terrace, fairy pools in every hue, and geysers which play strictly to timetable. The diversity of sights and experiences on this trip gives it premier place among the world's great tourist attractions.