NZ 09 (North Island): Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

When one talks about South Island, one thinks of Mt Cook or Milford Sound. How about North Island? – the Maoris? Lake Taupo? Perhaps, but one other distinct ‘feature’ or attraction of North Island is of course its many volcanoes and the related features or activities.

Many of the thermal activities are found in and around Rotorua areas. In fact the nickname for Rotorua is ‘Sulphur City’ because of its distinctive, thermal, rotten-egg smell of hydrogen sulphide gas.

One can be spoilt for choice as to which thermal site / village to visit as there are so many. We settled for Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters), about 30km south of Rotorua as this appears to be among the most popular one. It has a 3km walking trail which takes about 75 minutes to complete.

As one walks about taking in the spectacular view of the surrounding, admiring and wondering at how natures work, one would be ‘bombarded’ with – boiling and bubbling mud pools, gurgling hot springs, gushing geysers, pools with different hues (due to the different types of minerals), strong ‘uninviting’ smell. And occasionally steam would blur one’s vision (if one is wearing glasses).

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Visitor Centre

Mud pool – boiling and bubbling

Lady Knox Geyser (above and below)
The geyser is induced to erupt daily at 10:15am
by dropping soap into the opening of the vent.
The jet of water can reach up to 20m high.