Things to do in Mihi

Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest is a tranquil woodland park crisscrossed by trekking and biking trails. Set off on a hike past thermal ponds and geysers or admire eucalyptus trees and immense Californian Redwoods while horseback riding.

Bring your camera as well as your swimsuit to the Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Health Spa, because there are few thermal spas as picturesque as this one. While you bathe, enjoy the views of the uniquely New Zealand landscape of steaming hot springs, lush forest and drooping silica terraces.

Stand close to the Huka Falls and watch as powerful cascades of fast flowing water come crashing down from a height of 36 feet (11 meters) into a pool.

Cross boardwalks above gently simmering water and see pools of hot bubbling mud at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Peer into dark craters and watch as a geyser shoots water up to 20 metres (65 feet) into the sky.

Craters of the Moon is an otherworldly landscape of craters and steam vents where hissing clouds of steam rise into the air and hot mud bubbles beneath your feet. Explore this geothermal hot spot by taking the boardwalks and tracks to the edges of large craters.

Watersports and jaw-dropping natural beauty feature at beautiful Lake Tarawera. This is one of New Zealand’s largest lakes and a superb place to enjoy boating, fishing and hiking activities. Once home to a collection of Māori settlements, tragedy struck Lake Tarawera in 1886 when the peaks of Mount Tarawera erupted and buried the communities. The eruptions rose the lake by around 39 feet (12 meters) and left behind an area of tranquil landscapes.

The Te Puia New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute is dedicated to preserving Maori culture. Watch expert carvers and weavers produce sublime statues and garments. Listen to stories about why these arts are so precious to the country’s tribes and survey an array of exquisite handmade products.