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ANYONE with internet access can now get the Ōtorohanga experience, with a new virtual tour showcasing the Sir Ed Hillary Walkway between Maniapoto St and Bell Ln.
The virtual tour has a similar interface to Google Maps and was driven by Hamilton and Waikato Tourism (HWT) with Ōtorohanga District Council and Ōtorohanga Community Board.
It launched last Thursday and can be accessed at waikato.co.nz/ed-hillary-walkway HWT chief executive Nicola Greenwell said the virtual tour of the 26 interactive exhibits in the walkway was the first of several digital experiences being developed in the Waikato.
“Like other destinations around the world, we see great value in leveraging technology to share our experiences with the global online community and create additional interest in the mighty Waikato.
“Travel and photography have always been closely linked, whether it’s a selfie posted on social media or maybe a TV travel show or magazine – this virtual experience is designed to intrigue the viewer, make them want to come to visit the real thing in Ōtorohanga.”
The virtual tour gives viewers a taste of Kiwiana and showcases Ōtorohanga to those who may never be able to travel to New Zealand, or are not able to visit in-person, making the Sir Ed Hillary Walkway globally accessible to all.
Nicola said the Sir Ed Hillary Walkway on the main street was just one of the Kiwiana displays round the town of Ōtorohanga for visitors to explore including corrugated iron kiwi sculptures and even Kiwiana-themed public toilets.
“There’s everything Kiwi there, from the buzzy bee kids’ toy, pavlova, gumboots, and school milk to the haka, honouring the fact that New Zealand gave women the right to vote in 1893, the first country in the world to do so, and more.
“Ōtorohanga is the perfect place for Kiwis to feel sentimental and for our overseas manuhiri/visitors about the quintessential characters and things that are intrinsic to our way of life.”
Another virtual tour showcasing Ōtorohanga is that of The Virtual Tourist, which has mapped Ōtorohanga Museum.
In July last year, virtual reality company Muse 3D’s director Clint Lawson created a full immersion virtual tour of three of the museum’s buildings (King Country News, July 13, 2021).
That tour can be found on virtualtoursimnewzealand.co.nz
