15.03.2018 - Rotorua - Waihi - Tauranga or the AirBnB catastrophe and the biggest hole in NZ

A last waterfall in Rotorura

Shortly after Rotorura there is another beautiful whitewater river with a waterfall. I haven't seen one in so long ;-)

Okere Falls (https://goo.gl/maps/Rk1rXw2ZR7R2)

Who knows how kiwis grow?

I couldn't answer this question with 100% certainty either. But now I do!

They grow on huge plantations on trees!

The AirBnB catastrophe

From Rotorua I actually wanted to go towards the North Coast. While searching for a suitable place, I came across Waihi. The first thing that caught my attention on Google Earth was a huge hole in the middle of the town. That aroused my curiosity!

It turned out to be a disused gold mine! Since I couldn't find accommodation near the beach, I booked a BnB in Waihi.

I arrived in Waihi around 3 p.m. and went to see the hole. Very impressive! Since a landslide about 10 years ago, the mine has been closed and is only a "small" tourist attraction, as it is located in the middle of the town and has a circular path and everything.

But Waihi doesn't have much else to offer. So by 4 p.m. I was already at my BnB. But unfortunately no one was there. I couldn't reach anyone by phone either. So I went back to the coast to Waihi Beach and wanted to be there by 6 p.m.

Fortunately, I had the idea to call again beforehand. I reached someone, but what I heard did not please me at all.

The BnB no longer exists and she cannot offer me an alternative for accommodation.

So at 5:30 p.m. I had to find a new place to stay. Not so easy without Internet. So back to Waihi, there is a BNZ Bank with public internet, and look for a new guesthouse.

Then I found a hotel in Tauranga, which is only 40 km back towards Rotorura ;-) It is a larger city with a vibrant nightlife and plenty of options for a late dinner.