Yesterday we left early for another scenic drive through the Kopu Ranges to Rotorua. We stopped on the way at the Karangahake Scenic Reserve and went for a walk across swing bridges and through a 1km railway tunnel. We then drove through Paeroa which is "world famous in new Zealand" for the drink lemon and paeroa (l&p). Our next stop was Matamata, the filming location for Hobbiton, lord of the rings where we had lunch before arriving in Rotorua in the early afternoon. Rotorua is the 3rd most volcanically active place in the world. There are random geysers and boiling mud pools throughout the town and because of the geothermal activity there is lots of sulphur dioxide created, and it is therefore is also rather smelly! When we got there I went for a quick wander around town and a dip in the hot springs before going luging. Luging is effectively go-karting down a hill side which was great fun. That evening we went to a Maori cultural hangi (feast cooked underground with volcanic rocks) and concert. We were taken to a re-creation of a traditional Maori village from the 1600s. They showed us a Maori challenge (determining if you are friend or foe), waiata songs, poi dance, weaponary displays and the haka.
This morning, before leaving Rotorua we went zorbing, a kiwi invention where you roll down a hill in a large beach ball filled with water, which was crazy, but great fun. We then had a short drive to Waitomo where this afternoon we will be exploring the limestone caves!