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Wai-O-Tapu, Rotorua

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Wai-O-Tapu, Rotorua
See all Rotorua Things To Do
what a scenery !!! - Rotorua
what a scenery !!!
by vtveen
Things to Do in Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu tips and photos posted by real travelers and Rotorua locals.
Wai-O-Tapu
State Hwy 5.
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Wai-O-Tapu: Wai-o-tapu
  • Tip Rating:
  • This park was well worth the 20 minute drive south from Rotorua. I had visited the Te Puia thermal park previous to this one. Although I was blown away by the erupting geyser there and enjoyed the Maori Cultural show I preferred the more natural environment of Wai-o -tapu. There are tracks to walk around a variety of thermal areas. This park features the largest silica terrace in the southern hemisphere and the famous Champagne Pool. This area is associated with volcanic activity dating back 160,000 years and is located on the edge of a volcanic caldera. When you visit this park you have the opportunity to do 3 different walks, each having a unique vista and providing a natural experience. There are many graphics along the way to help visitors understand the thermal acitivity and what has caused these incredible geothermal wonders. The colours seen in this area are vibrant and caused by different mineral elements. If you want a more natural experience I would recommend Wai-o-tapu

  • Phone: 07 - 366 6333
  • Directions: 27kms Sth of Rotorua/Taupo Hwy. Approx 20 minutes drive. Took longer due to road works. Left hand turn, well sign posted.
  • Website: http://www.geyserland.co.nz

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    Wai-O-Tapu: Wai-o-Tapu: Champagne Pool
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  • The Champagne Pool in Wai-o-Tapu is one of the main attractions of this thermal reserve. It is a huge hot spring in a 700 years old crater. The water has a temperature of 74ºC and is always steaming. The steam around this pool and the orange colour of the water are responsible for a special atmosphere at this point of Wai-o-Tapu. It was so nice to be here, for a short time just the two of us, enjoying this ‘sacred water’.

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  • Phone: 07 - 366 6333
  • Directions: 27kms Sth of Rotorua/Taupo Hwy.
  • Website: http://www.geyserland.co.nz

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    Wai-O-Tapu: Wai-o-Tapu means ‘sacred waters’
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  • Visiting this thermal area you will understand the name ‘sacred waters’. The several attractions are very impressive with a lot of different colours, caused by different minerals in the soil. Walking along the track we passed several colourful places like the Opal Pool (soft green), the Champagne Pool (orange), Devil’s bath (fluorescent green), some sulphur craters (yellow) and mud pools (grey). A very special feeling gives the walk over the boardwalk which crosses a huge sinter terrace (more or less white) with steaming water. The three tracks (total about 3 km’s) take the visitors along several thermal spots and look outs till an almost 800 year old green coloured crater lake Ngakoro. Wai-o-Tapu has also a famous geyser: Lady Knox Geyser. This geyser erupts every day (with some human help) at 10.15 am.

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  • Phone: 07 - 366 6333
  • Directions: 27kms Sth of Rotorua/Taupo Hwy.
  • Website: http://www.geyserland.co.nz

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    Wai-O-Tapu: Lady Knox Geyser
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  • The Soapy Lady Knox Geyser - Rotorua
    The Soapy Lady Knox
    Geyser
    by kenmerk
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    See the world famous Lady Knox Geyser at Waiotapu in the Rotorua Region. This is the most reliable "old Faithful" type Geyser in the world, mainly because the locals dump soap in the mouth of the Geyser at exact 10:30 AM to help initiate the flow of steam/hot water. Touristy as hell, but a signature New Zealand event.

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  • Directions: Rotorua Area

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    Wai-O-Tapu: Champayne Pool
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  • The champayne pool is very unique in the world, it has bubbling, hissing water with a beautiful ochre-colored petrified edge. The colors here are just amazing, try and visit on a sunny day to really see the colors.

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  • Phone: 07 - 366 6333
  • Directions: 27kms Sth of Rotorua/Taupo Hwy.
  • Website: http://www.geyserland.co.nz

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    Wai-O-Tapu: The Lady Knox Geyser at Wai-o-tapu.
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  • Lady Knox Geyser, Wai-o-tapu. - Rotorua
    Lady Knox Geyser,
    Wai-o-tapu.
    by worldkiwi
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    The Lady Knox Geyser at Waiotapu is unusual in that it is induced to play regularly at 1015 each day. I was very dubious about going to see this for the first time in July 2004, but the story that is told before the geyser is woken up is an interesting one and puts the whole show into some context. If you are on a limited budget, I'd say save your money at Waiotapu and just go to Whakarewarewa in the city to see Pohutu Geyser, which is natural and far more spectacular. See my Wai-o-tapu travelogue for more pictures of this valley.

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  • Phone: 07 - 366 6333
  • Directions: 27kms Sth of Rotorua/Taupo Hwy.
  • Website: http://www.geyserland.co.nz

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    Wai-O-Tapu: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
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  • South of Rotorua on the road to Taupo and famous for the Lady Knox Geyser, the only geyser in the region that can be relied on to erupt at the same time each day (10.15am) to heights of up to 21 metres. Meaning 'Sacred Waters' in Maori, Wai-O-Tapu is known as New Zealand's most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing experience, with a wide range of other attractions such as Mud pools, Mineral terraces, Colourful hot and cold pools and Steaming Volcanic Lakes. All within an easy walk of each other through forested terrain. At first the price (NZD $16.50 for Adults) seems a bit steep, but for that you get easily a couple of hours to stroll around in awe of these natural wonders complete with information on how they were formed. After you pass the visitor centre (cafe, shop, toilets etc) you cross a seemingly ordinary stream into the park - except that on closer inspection it is actually steaming! Major sights include (Check out the great website for a full description of each attraction!): Well over a dozen huge Volcanic Craters. An 'Artist´s Palette' of hot and cold pools, steaming fumaroles and boiling mud in a kaleidoscopic variety of everchanging colours. Primrose Terraces of over a hectare of naturally tinted and remarkably formed terraces which are the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Spectacular pools of bubbling and boiling mud. The stunning Champagne Pool. Unique in the world, this is a huge pool of bubbling and hissing jade coloured water, with a beautiful ochre-coloured petrified edge. My absolute favourite!!! Bridal Veil Falls. A cascade of mineral water over a terraced silica formation of changing hues from glistening white and lemon to an emerald green. There are also many panoramic views on this sacred Maori site including alum cliffs, a frying pan flat and vistas of lakes, and mountains in the distance. If you have time for just one thermal attraction in Rotorua - it has to be here! Chances are that you may have to drive past it anyway!

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  • Phone: 07 366 6333
  • Directions: On SH5. 53km N of Taupo on the right. 27km S of Rotorua on the left. Look for Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland signpost.
  • Website: http://www.geyserland.co.nz/map-body.htm
  • Other Contact: Opening hours 8.30am-5pm daily.

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    Wai-O-Tapu: Lady Knox Geyser
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  • Come experience the raw beauty and power that mother nature offers. Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at 10,15 am and can reach hieghts of up to 20 mters.

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  • Phone: 07 - 366 6333
  • Directions: 27kms Sth of Rotorua/Taupo Hwy.
  • Website: http://www.geyserland.co.nz

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    Wai-O-Tapu: The Sea of Tranquility...
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  • Lunar Landscape at Waiotapu... - Rotorua
    Lunar Landscape at Waiotapu...
    by kenmerk
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    Enjoy the lunar landscape at Waiotapu.. Looks quite a bit like the piece of moonscape that Neil Armstrong put footprints in so many years ago.......

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    Wai-O-Tapu: Mud Pools
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  • Quite the strange place, hundred of small steam vents gurgling up through the mud and shallow water.... You can hear the lake going a-glup-glup-glup as you walk up the trail....

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