This must be one of the most photographed buildings in New Zealand. The building extends to the left with a mirror image of the right-hand wing. Despite appearances it was only built in the early 1900s as a bath house but the design is based on English Elizabethan buildings. Originally people could visit to bathe in the hot, mineral waters of Rotorua. It closed as a bath house in 1966 and was due to be demolished. However, it was leased and used as a nightclub until 1990. After that it became the Rotorua Museum of Art & History. Unfortunately, it's now closed to the public because, under recent Government legislation, buildings of two stories or higher must be earthquake-strengthened. I suspect the cost for that will prove to be prohibitive for this building. I wish I'd managed to visit when it was still open as I'd love to see inside.
The building is located in Government Gardens. In front of the building you can see lawns for croquet (left of path) and bowls and petanque on the right-hand side.
I spent about two hours here wandering around the gardens taking photos. It was absolutely boiling hot with little shade. The next day I decided having my hair around my neck when it was so hot was annoying so I tied it up. That meant it was flatter to my head and my scalp burnt - can't win!
@christinav Thanks. Easy for time to fly by with so many things to photograph. @julzmaioro It is indeed. I think I may have missed the boat for a look inside. @yorkshirekiwi Thanks. Very interesting round the back too. @ludwigsdiana Thanks Diana. @brigette Thanks. I should have worn a hat but I was dumb and forgot mine :(
You need a hat!
@julzmaioro It is indeed. I think I may have missed the boat for a look inside.
@yorkshirekiwi Thanks. Very interesting round the back too.
@ludwigsdiana Thanks Diana.
@brigette Thanks. I should have worn a hat but I was dumb and forgot mine :(