Secret's out on Rotorua hot spot | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua
Secret's out on Rotorua hot spot
Sheldon Nesdale
By ALISON BROWN in Rotorua
Some call it the "Secret Spot" but thanks to a new website many more people are about to discover a local swimming hole.
The increasingly popular thermal stream about 40km south of Rotorua is one of about 100 hot spots featured on an interactive website designed by former John Paul College student, Sheldon Nesdale.
Complete with descriptions and directions to each hot pool, the 28-year-old Waikato University student hopes it will lead to more people enjoying New Zealand's rare geothermal resources.
As a teenager growing up in Rotorua, Mr Nesdale spent many a night frolicking in the region's thermal hot pools.
Moving to Hamilton to study, however, he realised just how spoilt for choice he had been.
While Rotorua boasts about 40 thermal springs within a 50km radius, Waikato only has nine.
Mr Nesdale, who is completing his honours degree in electronic commerce, decided to share his passion for hot pools by creating www.nzhotpools.co.nz.
Drawing on information featured in Sally Jackson's book Hot Springs of New Zealand, he spent six weeks working on the site.
It includes commercially operated thermal springs, such as Waikite Valley Thermal Pools and Hell's Gate, as well as lesser known, "freebie" pools off the beaten track.
"In designing it, I wanted to make sure this would be the only website anyone would ever need to access New Zealand's thermal hot pools."
Those familiar with various hot pools can rate them and share their visitor experiences.
"I really want people to help write the content," he said.
"If they think the directions or descriptions of the non-commercial pools can be better improved then they can go online and change them."
For a small monthly fee, commercial operators can also have more detailed information about their hot pools included on the website.
Mr Nesdale insists, however, he did not embark on the project to make a profit.
"I'm really just wanting people to use the site to make better use of the hot pools on their doorstep."
His website has won praise from Rotorua's tourism industry.
Destination Rotorua general manager Don Gunn described it as a "positive development".
"The website is a great initiative.
"Sheldon has done a good job," he said.
Some call it the "Secret Spot" but thanks to a new website many more people are about to discover a local swimming hole.
The increasingly popular thermal stream about 40km south of Rotorua is one of about 100 hot spots featured on an interactive website designed by former John Paul College student, Sheldon Nesdale.
Complete with descriptions and directions to each hot pool, the 28-year-old Waikato University student hopes it will lead to more people enjoying New Zealand's rare geothermal resources.
As a teenager growing up in Rotorua, Mr Nesdale spent many a night frolicking in the region's thermal hot pools.
Moving to Hamilton to study, however, he realised just how spoilt for choice he had been.
While Rotorua boasts about 40 thermal springs within a 50km radius, Waikato only has nine.
Mr Nesdale, who is completing his honours degree in electronic commerce, decided to share his passion for hot pools by creating www.nzhotpools.co.nz.
Drawing on information featured in Sally Jackson's book Hot Springs of New Zealand, he spent six weeks working on the site.
It includes commercially operated thermal springs, such as Waikite Valley Thermal Pools and Hell's Gate, as well as lesser known, "freebie" pools off the beaten track.
"In designing it, I wanted to make sure this would be the only website anyone would ever need to access New Zealand's thermal hot pools."
Those familiar with various hot pools can rate them and share their visitor experiences.
"I really want people to help write the content," he said.
"If they think the directions or descriptions of the non-commercial pools can be better improved then they can go online and change them."
For a small monthly fee, commercial operators can also have more detailed information about their hot pools included on the website.
Mr Nesdale insists, however, he did not embark on the project to make a profit.
"I'm really just wanting people to use the site to make better use of the hot pools on their doorstep."
His website has won praise from Rotorua's tourism industry.
Destination Rotorua general manager Don Gunn described it as a "positive development".
"The website is a great initiative.
"Sheldon has done a good job," he said.
Email
Print