Alyce Simpson, from Infinity Holidays in Brisbane, recounts the first day of her Tourism New Zealand and Emirates Mega Famil

On our final day, we headed off early to Rotorua’s Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where we were treated to an escorted tour of the wood-carving school.

We were shown the changes from traditional tools to the modern day tools, and then headed over to the women’s craft room where they teach basket weaving, traditional arts and crafts using natural materials.

After this, we headed to the main attraction – the Geo-Thermal village. The scenery was incedible, it reminded you of the Jurassic period and you almost expected dinosaurs to be wandering around.

Everywhere you turned, there was vapour rising from the ground, and when you hit different temperatures and minerals in the rocks, the scenery changed. It had us all in a state of wonder.

We headed down to the Pohutu Geyser where the pressure built up to a point where the geyser exploded boiling water out of the ground. It was fabulous to see Mother Nature at her best, even if she stunk like rotten eggs.

After two wonderfully exhilarating days in Rotorua, an adrenaline junkie’s dream destination, we were happy but exhausted and it was time to leave. We were sad to leave Rotorua, such an incredible place, but we definitely won’t miss the smell!

Next destination was the Waitiomo Caves, stopping via Maungatautari Ecological Island Reserve at Sanctuary Mountain where, within a 47km pest-proof fence, you find a stunning area of indigenous plants, nature and wildlife, all of which are funded by donations from a local family.

This place allows you to get back to nature (clothes on please!) by giving the feel of total freedom within the fencing. It is recommended that you take a rain jacket though, as it can get quite damp.

After a beautiful walk through the mountain, we headed back to our comfy Kirra Holidays Coach where Rossco drove us out to Waitomo for black water rafting.

This was to be the highlight of my trip and I was absolutely pumped to be rafting through the glowworm caves. However, the water levels were too high!

Apparently this happens only five days in the year, and today happened to be one of those days!.

I settled for a wicked glowworm cave tour where they explained about the rock formations, and how the glowworms survive underground.

Waitomo – you failed me today with your one day of heavy rain – but I will be back to conquer your black water cave rafting.

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