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The natural geothermal features in Rotorua, particularly the geysers and hot springs, make up one of the country’s foremost tourist attractions, with Whakarewarewa Valley having the largest remaining concentration of geysers in New Zealand.
Nestled amidst the lush landscapes of New Zealand’s North Island, Rotorua beckons travelers with its enchanting geothermal wonders. As you set foot in this geothermal haven, you will be captivated by the mystical allure of hot springs and geysers that define the region’s unique charm.
Mar 6, 2024 · Nestled within New Zealand’s geothermal heartland, Rotorua is renowned for its geothermal attractions. Visitors from all around New Zealand and the world visit this region to visit both paid and free geothermal parks. Each offers a unique lens into Earth’s inner workings.
- Why Visit The Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland?
- Planning Tips – Wai-O-Tapu Rotorua New Zealand
- Walking Paths of Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park – Map
- Wai-O-Tapu Geyser & Mud Pools – Lady Knox
- Wai-O-Tapu Artist’S Palette
- The Champagne Pool – Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Valley’s Famous Feature
- Walking Along The Primrose Terrace
- Other Geothermal Features of The Wai-O-Tapu Wonderland
- Wai-O-Tapu Or Te Puia Geyser – Rotorua
Geothermal Rotorua
The region of Rotorua-Taupo is an active geothermal wonderland. It is home to many thermal valleys surrounded by lakes and forest. They all offer different features and incredible colors, as if painted by artists. It is also home to a rich Maori culture. The combination makes it a wonderful destination for your New Zealand road trip. But with so many options which geothermal parks should you choose to visit? Wai-O-Tapu is definitively in my top 3 Rotorua geothermal parks.
Why choose the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park over the others?
The reason I love Wai-O-Tapu (which means “sacred waters” in the Maori language) and rank it high are: 1. The intense unicolor features. The other parks tend to have multicolor features but here you have a few places with just a single intense (incredible) color. 2. The famous Champagne Pool, even though it is one of themost famous places in New Zealand North Island, does not disappoint (in my opinion). 3. The first loop is a very easy walk accessible to many
Geology of Wai-O-Tapu
You have access to only a small portion of the 18m2 of the geothermal area. It is located in the Northern part of the Reporea caldera. It has the largest remaining sinter terrace in NZ (since the Pink and white terraces disappeared). After the planning tips you can see more photos. Enjoy the beauty without the smell!
How to get to Wai-O-Tapu
1. Located on North Island, not far from Rotorua 2. Rotorua to Wai-O-Tapu = 30min drive 3. Taupo to Wai-O-Tapu = 40min drive 4. Auckland to Wai-O-Tapu = 3h15 drive 5. From Rotorua: south on SH 5 towards Taupo for 27km (20 mins drive) until you reach the Waiotapu Tavern. Turn left opposite the tavern and travel 2km 6. Wai-O-Tapu is included in my eBooks, to help you plan an unforgettable road trip:
Wai-O-Tapu Tour
But if you don’t want to drive, you can find group tours that include a visit to Wai-o-tapu departing from Rotorua – Check out options & Book
Visiting Wai-O-Tapu – Tips
1. For price, opening times and facilities check out the Wai-O-Tapu website 2. You can pre-purchase an entry ticket in your own currency 3. Opening Hours – Summer 8:30 am to 6pm / Winter 8:30 am to 5pm 4. The geyser Lady Knox show starts at 10:15am. 5. Plan 1 to 2 hours depending on which walking loops you choose 6. The paths are well maintained. The main loop is easy, the others do have stairs 7. Toilets near the entrance 8. Café with light meals at the visitor center 9. Outside of the park...
What to see – Wai-O-Tapu Map
Below is the map of the park displayed at the entrance. As you can see there are 3 loops you can take – 1. The first loop includes Champagne pool and artist’s palette. It takes 30min – I think it is the most interesting one. 2. If you add loop 2 that takes you along the Primrose Terrace, the whole tour will take 40minutes 3. And if you choose to combine all 3 loops all the way to Lake Ngakoro, it will take you 1h30 Those timing are not sufficient if you take thousands of pictures like me though
Safety on the Wai-O-Tapu walking paths
The trails are well maintained. The first loop is easy. However if you head to loop 2 and 3 you will have some stairs. For your safety, please stick to the walkways and stay behind the barriers. Make sure your kids don’t run around. This is a volcanic area! Thermal pools can reach over 100°C (210°F) and what look likes solid ground may only be a thin crust. And wear sturdy and closed footwear.
Outside of the geothermal park, you can observe other features: some fun mud pools and the Lady Knox Geyser.
One of the first colorful features you will see as you walk around the geothermal valley is the Artist’s palette (point 5). It is a large open area with a very thin crust creating a cream terrace. Water from the Champagne pool overflows on it. The different stains of colors are due to mineral deposits: the groundwater is superheated by old magma. I...
The highlight of Wai-o-tapu geothermal wonderland is the champagne pool and it is not hard to understand why. It is a large pool of steaming water: 65m in diameter and around 62m in depth. And along its round edge a deposit of deep orange color has built up. It formed 700 to 900 years old as a result of an hydrothermal eruption. So it is quite youn...
Loop 2 will let you walk all along the Primrose terrace. It is made my silica deposits moved by water overflowing from the Champagne pool. It is so delicate, it looks like lace, don’t you think?
Wai-O-Tapu has many other geothermal features apart from the champagne pool. Some are bright yellow or fluorescent green while other are grayish but with interesting shapes. My favorites were the very colorful ones.
If you want to see a geyser, you have mostly the choice of Wai-O-Tapu or Te Puia. The choice is difficult: 1. On one end, I really prefer the Pohotu geyser in Te Puia which sprouts consistently. The terrace under it is stunning. 2. On the other end, I love all the other features of Wai-O-Tapu with the colors… Sorry I am not helping more with the de...
Visit the official travel website for Rotorua. Get up close to spectacular geysers and colourful crater lakes, relax in a mud bath or enjoy a simple soak in a natural hot stream.
the beautiful geothermal hot pool nearly pohutu and prince of wales geysers in whakarewarewa thermal village, rotorua, new zealand. - rotorua geysers stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is a spectacular showcase of New Zealand’s most colourful and unique geothermal elements sculpted by thousands of years of geothermal activity.
