Early August 2024, the Year 13 geography students went on an overnight trip to Rotorua to collect data and gain knowledge for their upcoming internal and external assessments on tourism development in Rotorua. The two jam packed days consisted of visiting local attractions like Te Puia, the 3D Trick Art Gallery, the Rotorua lakefront, Redwoods Tree Walk and Skyline Rotorua.
At Te Puia, we were amongst the geothermal wonders, surrounded by bubbling hot springs and the breathtaking sight of geysers shooting into the sky. We also had the rare opportunity to see two kiwis, soon to be released into the wild, and visited the only Māori Arts and Craft Institute. Watching the geysers and exploring the geothermal area of Te Puia was a highlight of our visit.
The 3D Trick Art Gallery was filled with life-size illusions that played tricks on our cameras. With over 50 illusions to explore, we flooded our camera rolls, capturing the perfect angles to bring the 3D effects to life. The gallery featured five themes—classic art, kiwi life, challenge, fantasy, and grand nature—each offering its own unique charm.
We then explored the newly redeveloped Rotorua lakefront, taking countless photos and filming TikToks along the way. Our evening continued with a walk into the CBD where we experienced the vibrant night markets and a dinner before heading back to our accommodation.
Later that evening, we embarked on a 40-minute treetop night walk in the Redwood Forest. Suspended on narrow bridges 25 metres above the ground, we were captivated by the towering 75-metre trees and surrounded by multi-coloured lanterns. The experience was nothing short of enchanting, allowing us to truly appreciate the majesty of these ancient giants.
The next morning, we capped off our adventure with a visit to Skyline Rotorua. As the gondola carried us up, we were treated to stunning views of the city and lake below. We spent the day racing down the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha on the luge, soaking in the views, and capturing unforgettable moments on camera.
A huge thank you to Mr. Rimamate for organising this unforgettable trip, and to Mr. Gedge and Ms. Qian for accompanying us. Despite the unexpected two-hour delay caused by our bus breaking down on the way back to Auckland, the trip was an absolute blast! We came away with a deeper appreciation for Geography and the rich history of tourism in Rotorua.
