Lake Rotorua. North Is. New Zealand.
S 38° 07.850 E 176° 15.200
60H E 434560 N 5779405
Quick Description: Lake Rotorua lies in a geothermal region and is the second largest lake in the North Island by surface area, formed from the crater of a large volcano in the Taupo Volcanic Zone.
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 2/21/2012 2:35:42 PM
Waymark Code: WMDT5C
Views: 1
Long Description:Lake Rotorua is a relatively shallow lake that was formed approximately 140 000 years ago. This is a caldera lake. The last major eruption was about 240,000 years ago. After the eruption, the magma chamber underneath the volcano collapsed. The circular depression left behind is the Rotorua Caldera, which is the site of the lake.
The tourist city of Rotorua lies on the southern shore of this lake and this is one of the main geothermal regions around the lake. Owing to the geothermal activity around the lake (including still active geysers and hot mud pools), the lake has a high sulphur content. This gives the lake's waters an unusual yellowish-green hue.
Lake Rotorua is fed with water from a number of rivers and streams, the main two being the Utuhina Stream which is hot thermal water and the crystal clear cold water of Hamurana Spring that has a constant temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. The Ohau channel is the only outflow from the lake, The waters of Lake Rotorua flow directly into Lake Rotoiti via the Ohau Channel at the north eastern corner of the lake and this channel is navigable by boat and is also favoured by fly fishermen.
There is one distinct island in the lake, Mokoia Island, close to the centre of the lake and is a rhyolite dome. It is probably New Zealand's best-known lake island, as it is closely associated with one of the best-known Maori legends of Hinemoa and Tutanekai.
The Rotorua Website lake information: (
visit link)
The given co-ords S 38° 07.850 E 176° 15.200 are right on the lakefront at Memorial Drive, where all the tourist activity happens, boat trips, plane trips etc or you can simply sit and enjoy the view of the lake.
Another extremely interesting location on the lakeshore is at Fume Point, not far away. There is a walkway with information panels amongst the geothermal activity on the shoreline. You really must visit this area but take care to stay on the marked track.
Co-ords are: S 38° 08.400 E 176° 15.560 end of Amohau Street, near start of walkway.
