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Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Address:
201 Waiotapu Loop Road, Rotorua 3073, New Zealand
GPS coordinates:
-38° 21' 20.2284" S
176° 22' 2.3844" E
Phone:
(07) 366 6333
Website:
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Time to spend:
2-4 hours
Entry fee:
NZ$ 32.50 adult, NZ$ 11.00 children

Advice

To see the geyser arrive at 9:30, then have a walk in the geothermal area with coloured pool. Best time to visit is anytime. Even under rain we had a wonderful experience, although, it added us difficulties in photography and exploring.

Description

Wai-O-Tapu, which means “sacred waters” when translated from Maori, is an amazing active geothermal area in New Zealand. It is located close to the Reporoa caldera in the Taupo Volcanic Zone and is just 20-30 minutes drive from Rotorua.

Because of tense geothermal activity happening beneath, this area is not only famous for its Lady Knox Geyser attraction, Artist's Palette, Primrose Terrace Champagne and Devil's Bath Pools, various boiling mud pools, but also for lots of colourful and all kinds of spectacular hot springs that are due to the same buoyant geothermal conditions hidden under the earth.

Wai-O-Tapu can really be called a thermal wonderland: it basically covers the territory of a former mud volcano – the largest of all volcanoes that you can find in New Zealand. Its original cone has been eroded since 1925, now the pool fills with energy-active mud and water.

It is, without a question, one of the most picturesque and exciting geothermal attractions in the world. It looks so surreal that sometimes it's hard to believe that this place was created by nature, not humans.

There are truly unique views waiting for you. Colourful springs of the Champagne Pool, a daily eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser, steaming ground, enormous volcanic craters, bubbling mud, and many more to span.

Links you may find useful while planning your trip

www.newzealand.com
www.rotorua-travel-secrets.com

Action

More photos

Bridge, Wai-O-Tapu Sleeping Lady Knox Geyser Wai-O-Tapu terrasses Artist's Palette, Wai-O-Tapu Boardwalk crossing in Waiotapu Boiling Mud, Waiotapu Champagne Pool, Wai-O-Tapu Coloured Lakes in Waiotapu Devil's Bath Devil's Ink Pots, Wai-O-Tapu Lady Knox Geyser Ngakoro Lake Sulfur pool, Wai-O-Tapu Yellow moss root in Waiotapu

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