Named after the famous lake Rotorua in New Zealand’s northern island, is Rotorua or the Sulphur city. The city has an estimated population of mere 72,500 people only. But that isn’t just known for its tiny population. Rotorua is famous all over the world for the geothermal activity it has been experiencing over the years. Tourists around the world come here to witness this unusual phenomenon. One can even see it while strolling inside parks. If New Zealand has always been on your bucket list, don’t forget to add this small town of unusual nature’s activity.
Why Rotorua is known as Sulphur City?
Rotorua is known as the sulphur city because of the hydrogen sulfide emissions due to the manure undergoing anaerobic fermentation caused due to lack of oxygen.
The hydrogen sulphide emissions leave a bad odour around the city. The smell is similar to the smell of rotten eggs. Hence, the city is popularly known as ‘Rotten-rua’.
The stinking smell in the ‘Te Ngae ‘ area in the city is known to be due to dense sulphur deposits. This is the reason why it is also famously known as the ‘Sulphur Point’.
Places to visit in Rotorua
Lakes
There are around 17 lakes in the city of Rotorua. These lakes have been the result of volcanic activity over the years. The city is part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone has been active for the past two million years and is still highly active. The peaceful and serene nature of the lakes is a great relaxation spot for tourists. There is a range of lush spa therapies and mineral spring hot pools looking over the beautiful Lake Rotorua for people to enjoy.
Wai-O-Tapu
The Wai-O-Tapu is known for its active geothermal area, especially the orange streamy pools and the vibrant green pool also known as the ‘Devil’s Bath’. Due to heat exceeding the heat on the surface of the Earth, this place has been famous for its hot dip in the pool.
The never-ending steamy pools also showcase a vivid color. It has caused a lot of amusement among tourists and travelers visiting. The Wai-O-Tapu also is known for the Lady Knox Geyser, a geyser. every day it is made to induce a ginormous eruption of water that reaches a height of at least 20m. Lady Knox Geyser has been named after the daughter of the 15th governor of New Zealand.
Mount Tarawera, a volcano that has been known to be one of New Zealand’s biggest eruptions. In the past 18,000 years, Mount Tarawera has been known to have erupted five times. The first eruption was caused around 1315. the impact of the eruption was so large that it impacted the world in many ways. The eruption also led the great famine of 1315-17 to occur. The volcano is surrounded by numerous lakes that were caused by after an eruption in 1886.
Kuirau Park
Imagine going on a morning stroll every morning to your nearest public park and witnessing steaming waves coming out of lakes situated inside the park. This is probably what the residents of Rotorua experience every day. One such park is the Kuirau park. The residents of here witness new eruptions often, but they aren’t harmful as a safe distance is always met due to the huge fences surrounding the lakes.
Hamurana Springs
Another tourist favourite is Hamurana Springs. The springs are famous for its ten-decade-old redwood trees and the dancing sand springs. The dancing sand springs have been named after the effect of the emerging water from the sand on the bottom of the spring.
