The hottest wonders of New Zealand

The land around Rotorua, in New Zealand, is home to a highly active geothermal zone. There we can enjoy the beauty of rare phenomena, like geysers, hot springs, incredible pools and other features. They scatter a wide array of colors that emerge from the core of the Earth.

In this article we are going to cover six areas with evocative names, such as the Hidden Valley, Hell’s Gate and theCraters of the Moon. Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu and Whakarewarewa complete the tour (please find a map of the route at the end of this post).

enchanted pond.

Close up of the shower.

To get to Orakei Korako (aka The Hidden Valley), you have to cross the river Waikato, whose waters were risen in 1961 to create an artificial lake, drowning two thirds of the geothermal area and some of the world’s largest geysers. Cool.

Colors are formed depending on the mineral composition of the soil.

Waimangu was the name of a geyser that erupted between 1900 and 1904, reaching the (almost) stratospheric height of 460 meters (1,500 feet), the largest ever recorded. It also killed four pioneer tourists, due to a sudden blast.

Waimangu is located near where the Pink and White Terraces, labeled at that time as the Eighth Wonder of the World, were destroyed by a violent volcanic eruption in 1886.

Hey, here we are!

The temperature at the top of the Champagne Pool is around 75 °C (165 °F).

The same pool on a different day: different colors and shape.

Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, next to Rotorua. The Pohutu Geyser can reach up to 30 meters (100 feet) high.

The Hell’s Gate seems rather the door of paradise to me.

The Craters of the Moon, covered with steam, delights its visitors with a smelly atmosphere.

It doesn’t smell as good as it looks…

Explosive mud pool.

The hot water algae that live here have adapted to survive temperatures between 35 and 59 °C.

There was a sign that said “Map of Africa” next to this pool.

The surface of the Frying Pan flat is quite fragile, and a new hole giving off toxic fumes can be created if an imprudent tourist steps on it.

A closer look highlights the alien appearance of these odd plants.

You are rewarded with awesome landscapes when driving across the Thermal Explorer Highway.

Actually, Lady Knox goes into action thanks to some manual stimulation, by adding soap. This was discovered in the early twentieth century, when some prisoners used it to wash clothes.

This time it’s pink.

We are back in the 21st century to admire the Inferno Crater, in the light of the HDR technique.

View of the central pools and the Artist’s Palette.

Lady Knox is another of the stars of Wai-O-Tapu.

More uncommon encounters: it looks like some unwary tourist has already got facehugged by this alien egg.

Baby spring splashing in the Bird’s Nest terrace.

 

The sulphuric Devil’s Bath.

 

 

 

Sorry to disappoint the many readers who expected, after reading the title, something more like this. Nevertheless, we hope that you enjoyed these other prodigies of nature instead.

This place Swimming not recommended.