Rotorua Jul 2026

ROTORUA ROUSTABOUT

Matariki weekend 10-12 Jul

FRIDAY

A group of 16 went down to Rotorua for Matariki weekend. We met up at the Ronnies Fitzgerald Glade cafe for lunch, allowing us to arrive at the Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park together making it easier to check in. After settling into four basic cabins eight of us did a day2nite walk taking in the thermal springs and ponds of Kuirau Park then on to the Rotorua Village Green for dinner at the food trucks, and a quick peep at the lakefront. We returned much the same way in torchlight, albeit a shorter route back through Kuirau Park. Distance 4.1km.

SATURDAY

We had a wonderful time exploring the Orakei Korako Geothermal Park. This was accessed by a 5-minute ferry, and we spent 1h 45min looking at all sorts of geothermal features including silica terraces, hot springs, Aladdin's Cave, Elephant Rock, mud pools and much more, a really wonderful and marvellous art gallery of God.

After lunch at the Orakei Korako cafe we went on to Rainbow Mountain. Before setting out to look at the crater lake, John gave devotions about God's art galleries. Imagine visiting an art gallery and being able to speak with the artist. Four years ago, during the Matariki weekend near Warkworth, he saw beautiful rock formations on the beach that reminded me of God's artistic creation. This weekend, we were at Orakei Korako Geothermal Park, experiencing its wonders like Emerald Terrace and Sapphire Geyser, while appreciating the beauty of nature and its creator. God's art can be found worldwide-from the rock formations in Utah to the Great Barrier Reef. Nature's forms and creatures are intentional creations to lead us to acknowledge a Creator. God's continuous involvement in creation is highlighted in the Bible. We are called to care for the environment and engage in conservation efforts, such as tree planting. Let's enjoy the creations at Orakei Korako, knowing we are guided by the Artist through the Holy Spirit.

Setting out at 2:45pm we had a look at the spectacular Rainbow Mountain crater lake, then did a walk further on along the bush track, and Tony made it all the way to the summit.

For dinner we went to Oppies Restaurant for a yum-cha style meal of seafoods, where we could help ourselves to various dishes from a revolving centre on a round table. Later that evening we went to the Rotorua lakefront for a Matariki drone lightshow. The place was so crowded we had a 15-20 minute walk from the nearest available car park. This was a spectacular 11 minute show that was set down for 8pm but did not start till about 45 minutes later.

SUNDAY

We did a tramp around Lake Okareka. After packing up and vacating the holiday park, we went to Boyes Beach Reserve where Justin gave the day's devotions about starting your day with God through daily devotion, an important practice in Christianity. It emphasizes that devotion is about having love and affection for God, similar to being devoted to a pet or partner. The message encourages not to worry if you're not a morning person, as grace alleviates burdens. It suggests three actions for the morning: first, acknowledge your dependence on God by kneeling and asking Him to control your day; second, share your concerns with Him; and third, invite God to spend the day with you. Additionally, throughout the day, whispering Jesus' name can bring comfort and change to your situation.

We set out at 9:45am to walk the Lake Okareka Walkway. This began as a boardwalk through to the Lake Okareka Campsite, then we went along an undulating bush track along the northeastern side of the lake, with some ups and downs till we arrived at the lake outlet. From there the track climbed some stairs into more bush to drop down and continue as a boardwalk along wetlands bordering the southern side of the lake. The Lake Okareka Walkway finished at Acacia Rd, and it was a walk through streets back to the start point. Walkway distance 7.7km.

Being now early afternoon, we all parted our various ways homeward bound.