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Rotorua is a small town in the north west of New Zealands north island. Located on a highly active geothermal site, the area is pockmarked with geysers and there is considerable volcanic activity. As such, the area has become a major tourist attraction as well as being an area of great spiritual significance to the Maori.
Quite easily, although at a price! Air New Zealand and British Airways operate regular flights to Auckland which has the nearest international airport. As it is autumn in New Zealand at the time of the walks, fares are cheaper than normal. Booking well in advance will also reduce the cost.
There are a number of different routes from the UK but the two most popular involve flying east and stopping over in Australia or travelling west and passing through Los Angeles. I personally chose the latter option, which is more expensive, especially when you take in Hollywood and the surrounding area! Flight times are long, about 10 hours to the USA and another 10 to New Zealand, but the stretched Boeing 747s are quite comfortable and if you pester the staff, you can recoup some of your airfare by getting very tipsy on the complimentary drinks.
One point of note is that according to the official literature, all participants must use Air New Zealand. Why? Would they have refused to let me walk if I had used another airline? I don`t think so! (The sponsors have taken in this criticism and now the official line is that they encourage participants to use Air New Zealand.)
The walk began as recently as 1994 even though New Zealand is famed for its natural beauty and many walking trails.
It became an official march of the IML in 1997 and there were high hopes for a large turnout. As possibly the most famous tourist location in the country, the organisers have been able to include some interesting and world famous areas into the route. Unfortunately, the weather ensured that few locals turned up for the first day and all the walkers were treated to a downpour that lasted for hours. Day two was much better, with hot sunshine and spectacular scenery. As the first event, there were only a few overseas entries including three from Britain (hello to the BT people!), eight Dutch, one Swiss policeman (thanks for the wine - sorry we didn`t get to meet in Auckland afterwards!), two Norwegians, and lots of Japanese!
All walks commence and finish at the Registration Centre. This is in the Netherlands Society of Clubrooms in Neil Hunt Park, located first left off Tarawera Rd.
There are three different routes available each day. To qualify for the IML award, walkers need to complete at least 20 km on both days.
The 30 km route begins between 0730 and 0800 each day.
The 20 km route begins between 0930 and 1000 each day.
The 10 km route begins between 1130 and 1200 each day.
On the Friday preceeding the walks, there is an official walk opening ceremony my the Mayor of Rotorua. This will take place at 1845 outside the Rotorua District Council building in Haupapa, St, and is followed by a short walk. In 1997 overseas walkers were also invited to a reception beforehand, which is highly recommended as there is free food and beer on offer.
For more details and an entry form, contact:
or E-Mail Twodaywalk-APR@apr.co.nz.
or Fax "International Walk" 64 (07) 349 0609
The official Internet site is http://www.general-travel.co.nz/twodaywalk/index.htm
As the premier tourist centre in New Zealand, Rotorua seems to consist almost entirely of American style motels, all of which are reasonably priced and of a very high standard. There is a cheaper hotel which is basic in the extreme but provides a room for about ten pounds a night and attracts a lot of backpackers. Due to the time of year, there is plenty of accommodation available and, to be honest, there is not all that much night life.
Consequently, the bars are less than lively. The traditional "blister ball" was a typical example with few attending and ending at 9pm! (Note: for 1998 the organisers have booked a 600 seater hall and guarantee that it will not end so early!) Even worse was the end of the second day when the only people to occupy the bar were the foreign participants and a few locals who we had befriended along the route.
If you require a room in advance, or any other information about accommodation, then contact the official operator for the International Two Day Walk. This year it is:
Or phone 64 (9) 377 1764
or Fax 64 (9) 309 4167
or E-Mail Jenny@gt.co.nz
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