Mitai Village is home to Rotorua's only glow worms in their natural setting. They make a spectacular backdrop to the beautiful stream that flows through the bush.

Mitai is also home to the sacred Fairy Spring, that releases over twenty four million litres of pure spring water every day.

In Maori mythology, some springs were regarded as 'places where the Gods sprung out of the water'. A priest (Tohunga) would visit the Spring and ask the Gods whether this was an appropriate time to plant crops or make war.

If it was the right time, as legend has it, a column of light like a clear Rainbow would arise from the water. This is how this sacred place got the name Rainbow Springs. It is also the location where the Fairy People (Patupaiarehe) would descend the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha at night to visit the springs and drink from the waters of life.

This guided bush walk will let you learn about the history of the area, the old medicinal uses of the native flora and fauna and fascinating myths and legends.