Rotorua's Essential 50: Day 12 - Rainbow Mountain and Kerosene Creek

Kerosene Creek

If you want an amazing view as reward for some physical effort than take a short drive out of Rotorua and visit Rainbow Mountain - and pack your togs to enjoy a soak after.

On a good day you can see Mt Ruapehu, as well as views of forestry and Rotorua's lakes - an essential spot to get an idea of the beautiful country we live in. The mountain is 741m high and fully accessible.

The mountain is also known as Maungakakaramea, which means mountain of coloured earth. It is in Department of Conservation reserve and in the past two years has added mountain bike tracks to its walking tracks. The mountain and nearby Kerosene Creek are points on the Te Ara Ahi - Thermal By Bike Cycleway.

There's a choice of two walks from the car park just off State Highway 5. The first is a walk to the crater lakes, which is set against a backdrop of bare brown, orange and red steaming cliffs and an array of geothermal vegetation.

After taking in these two sights you can continue north and upwards through regenerating native vegetation and past the bare, coloured and steaming ridges on your way to the top.
There are regular opportunities for good views over the surrounding countryside, but to get the complete 360 degrees you need to continue on up to the summit.

It takes around an hour-and-a-half from the crater lakes to reach the top on foot. There's also an uphill mountain bike track.

If you're riding your bike you may need to walk the last stretch but the views - and downhill section - are worth it.

Make sure you take your togs and a towel so you can unwind with a dip at nearby Kerosene Creek, accessible from State Highway 5 south of Rainbow Mountain. Be security aware and ensure no valuables are left visible in your car.

- The Rotorua Daily Post Essential 50 lists the city's must-see, must-do and must-try activities and experiences thanks to reader nominations. We'll be highlighting one every day over summer.