A city where steam rises beside streets and traffic moves within a geothermal basin, Rotorua sits on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua. The town centre runs along the lakefront, with paths, boats, and cafés close to the warm water's edge. The air carries a sharp sulphur scent as geysers burst at Te Puia, a geothermal and cultural complex just outside the centre of Rotorua, sending water several metres into the air. At Wai-O-Tapu, a geothermal park about 25–30 km south of Rotorua, known for its visibly active and chemically coloured landscape, sits within the Taupō Volcanic Zone, where underground heat drives constant surface activity. Walking tracks pass through sections of steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and collapsed craters, all shaped by mineral deposits over time. Its most recognisable feature is the Champagne Pool, a wide, hot spring edged in bright orange silica, with green water at its centre. Nearby, the Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at a set time, sending a column of water into the air for several minutes. Adventure activities include white-water rafting on the Kaituna River and mountain biking across 5–35 kilometre trail networks in Whakarewarewa Forest. Māori cultural villages stage haka performances, carving demonstrations, and meals cooked in earth ovens.