Tongariro National Park is New Zealand's oldest national park and a World Heritage site. The core of the park is formed by the sacred peaks Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu.

Mount Ngauruhoe smolders constantly and from time to time spews ash and lava from its peak. It was featured as "Mount Doom" in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Within the park are numerous waterfalls and crater lakes.

Lake Taupo and Lake Rotorua are water-filled volcanic calderas, suitable for swimming, fishing and kayaking

The region around Rotorua is an active geothermal area consisting of mudpots, geysers and hot springs. In the past, tourists believed they had medicinal properties.

Many geothermal phenomena lie on private property where admission is charged to view them. However, in 1992, the central park of Rotorua "exploded" leaving steam holes and geysers open to the public.

An attraction unique to Rotorua is "zorbing," rolling down a hill inside a large ball. Jordan, of course, had to try zorbing!!

Now a museum, the former bathhouse in Rotorua was an elaborate "playground" for the wealthy. The lawns are still used for daily games of croquet and lawn bowling.