Wai-o-tapu

Wai-o-tapu is a thermal wonderland just 20 mins south of Rotorua.  Step back in time a million years and see the raw untamed volcanic landscape.  Walk amongst deep hell-holes belching steam and a sulphurous stench.  Tiptoe carefully across a path between two boiling brilliant blue lakes fringed with bright orange.  Gaze into a cavernous hole with unbelievable fluorescent yellow steaming water at its base.  Marvel at the vivid primal colours of nature.




You can lose hours walking around the very large site, astounded at the primitive nature of the volcanic landscape and then move up into the surrounding hills where suddenly you are in a beautiful forest (bush in Kiwi terms), and you stroll along serene forest paths, catching unexpected vistas of amazing hanging lakes and the steaming volcanic area below that you have just come from - it is all so spectacular you feel you have been in another world.

Wai-o-tapu means Sacred Waters and there is something truly awe-inspiring about this place. Not for the faint-hearted but totally unique and unforgettable.