Wai-O-Tapu, Rotorua

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Wai-O-Tapu (en Maorí Agua Sagrada) es una zona activa geotermal situada en la zona volcánica de Taupo , en la cual se pueden ver gran variedad de fenómenos geotermales .Es una ruta fácil que se puede hacer en 2 o 3 horas y con el olor a azufre constante vas viendo cráteres , lagunas de todos los colores , restos de azufre y otros minerales , fumarolas ... rodeado de un bosque y de ríos
Al entrar al parque te dan un mapa con las posibles rutas que puedes seguir y hay que mencionar los nombres tan sugestivos que tienen las distintas partes del parque : Baño del Diablo , Cráter del infierno , Catarátas del Velo Nupcial , Tinteros del Diablo , Géiser de Wai-O-Tapu ....

Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Water in Maori) is a geothermal hotspot located in the Taupo volcanic zone, where can be viewed wide variety of geothermal events. It's an easy route that can be done in 2 or 3 hours and with the constant smell of sulfur you will see craters, lakes of all colours, traces of sulphur and other minerals, fumaroles ...all the time surrounded by forest and rivers with great views
When you enter the park you are given a map showing the possible routes you can follow and we must mention the names that are so suggestive for the different parts of the park as : the Devil's Bath, Crater of Hell, Bridal Veil Falls, Devil´s ink Pots , Geyser Wai-O-Tapu ....

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La piscina de lodo está en el lugar de un gran volcán de barro que se destruyó por la erosión en 1920.
Es una de las mejores oportunidades para experimentar un crater único y los sonidos de la erupción del barro en Nueva Zelanda donde está asegurada siempre la actividad
Esperas a que se inicie la burbuja , la ves como va creciendo hasta que hace : "buuurp" y explota dejando unas manchas concéntricas y a continuación a buscar otra burbuja

The Mud Pool it is in the site of a large mud volcano which was destroyed through erosion in the 1920’s.
It is one of the best opportunities to experience the unique crater and sounds of erupting mud in New Zealand where the activity is always guaranteed.
You wait to see how the bubble starts , you see how it grows until it makes "buuurp" and explodes leaving a concentric spots and then look to see for another bubble

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La Piscina del Champagne es el lago más grande de la zona, tiene un diámetro de 60 metros, 60 metros de profundidad y el agua está a una temperatura de 70 º. El nombre de la piscina viene de las burbujas que se forman en la orilla y de la vistosa mezcla de colores vivos naranjas , verdes , blancos...
Estos colores se deben principalmente a la gran cantidad de minerales que se encuentran en el agua , entre ellos arsénico, antimonio y mercurio principaalmente aunque también tiene oro, plata, talio, azufre...
Los colores de los depósitos indican los metales que están en el proceso . Como ejemplo se encuentran los siguientes ( Minerales ) colores : verde ( azufre colloidal / sales de hierro) , naranja ( antimonio ) , púrpura (oxido de manganeso ) , balnco ( calcio ) , amarillo ( azufre ) , rojo ( oxido de hierro ) y negro (azufre /carbón )

The Champagne Pool is the largest lake in the area, it has a diameter of 60 meters, 60 meters deep and the water is at a temperature of 70 º.
The name of the pool comes from the bubbles that form in the shore and the colorful mixture of colors : bright orange (in the shore ) , green, white ...
The colours of the deposits indicates the minerals involved in the process . For example, the following colours (minerals) are found: green (colloidal sulphur / ferrous salts), orange (antimony), purple (manganese oxide), white (solica), yellow (sulphur), red (iron oxides) and black (sulphur / carbon).

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Nuestra intriga era grande pues no llegábamos a comprender como era posible que un geyser , el Lady knox , se "despertara" todos los días a la misma hora 10h 45m.
Estuvimos puntuales y había mucha gente en una especie de grada y justo a la hora prevista salió un señor que nos contó una historia y después puso un poco de jabón en el Geyser , cosa que lo hizo activar y poco a poco llegó a alcanzar una altura de unos 20 metros
El método no es muy convencional , pero si es impresionante verlo salir , cogiendo altura poco a poco , echando agua y vapor

Our concern was great because we could not understand how a geyser, the Lady Knox, would "woke up" every day at the same time 10h 45m.
We were punctual and there were many people in a kind of step around the gersey and just at the scheduled time it came a gentleman who told us a story and then put some soap on the Geyser, which made it turn alive and gradually reached a height of about 20 meters
The method is not very conventional, but it is impressive to see it, picking up high gradually, pouring water and steam

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When 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) did take along several thermal spots and lookouts 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. For us too early, so we missed it.

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The Lady Knox Geyser is a geyser in the Wai-O-Tapu area of the Taupo Volcanic Zone in New Zealand. It is named after Lady Constance Knox, the second daughter of Uchter Knox, 15th Governor of New Zealand. The geyser is made to erupt on a regular basis by dropping soap into the opening of the geyser. Eruptions produce a jet of water reaching up to 20m and can last for over an hour.

Prepare to get wet!

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Another one of the geothermal areas in the Rotorua vicinity. THis is larger and more touristy than Hells Gate, so be prepared for crowds, especially around the geyser.

Champagne pools, Sulphur Lakes, all very interesting and gives you an insight into the Rotorua area.

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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