Lunch @ Essence Cafe
Have a light lunch at Essence Cafe in the Ngongotaha Village because you’re going to be filled up with culture by the time the day is out!
City Ride Bus to Rotorua
Catch the ‘City Ride’ bus from Taui Street – click here to view map - and tell the driver you want to get off at the Pukuatua Street bus stop.
Rotorua Public Library
click here to view directions from Bus Stop
Libraries are a great place to visit when you’re in a new city. They’re free, full of information and they have Internet access so you can catch up with your family and friends around the world.
The Rotorua Public Library has a fantastic selection, including the Don Stafford Room, which contains collections on local history, New Zealand history and travel, Maori, family history, newspapers, workshop manuals and government papers.
I-Site - Rotorua's Tourism Information Centre
The Rotorua Public Library is right next to the Rotorua Tourism Information Centre, i-site, where you can pick up brochures, change foreign money, or grab a quick coffee.
The Rotorua Museum of Art and History
click here to view directions from Library
A small entry fee will gain you entry into all exhibitions, the Rotorua Stories cinema experience, the Maori Battalion cinema experience, scheduled guided tours and viewing platform access.
As with most museums, you can lose yourself for hours here, taking in many aspects of our country and your current surroundings.
Tamaki Maori Village Tour
A five minute walk through the gardens toward town, will take you to Tamaki Tours Office on Hinemaru Street.
You will need to book in advance, and you will have to be at the office by 6:30pm in time for the bus ride to the Tamaki Maori Village.
At 7:00pm the Waka (Coach Trip) will commence its 20min trip south. Upon arrival to the Village, you will be welcomed with a Karanga (Call of Welcome).
Through the Village, the Tangata Whenua (People of the Land) will demonstrate different activities which will lead you to The Wharenui (Meeting House), where you will enjoy a cultural concert.
They save the best for last, when you feast on a Hangi (Open Oven) – vegetarian dishes are available.
You will then return to the Waka which will return you to one of the main accommodations in Ngongotaha, just let the driver know where you’re staying.
