Visit New Zealand: Orakei Korako Geothermal Park

Orakei Korako Geothermal Park is a beautiful attraction to visit to see incredible works of nature.

After a short ferry ride across the lake, you immediately start the self-guided tour and come across sinter terraces blanketed with microbes that give them their color.

Black, green, and yellow algae cover a majority of the terraces.

There are several small geysers throughout Orakei Korako, including Diamond Geyser, which we were fortunate to witness erupt from the Visitor Center across the lake.

The Artist's Palette's was awe-inspiring.  The myriad of colors, steaming vents, and clear pools were quite magical to observe.

Artist's Palette - a 10,000 square meter silica sinter terrace in an old hydrothermal eruption crater.  Clear blue alkali chloride water forms pools, springs, and geysers; microbial mats create colorful displays. 

It was so neat to see all of the different colors and textures throughout the different terraces.

The scenes reminded me of paint that was dripping down a canvas or swirled in a pool of water with other colors.

It was nature at its finest!

Other highlights included:

The Map of Africa

Golden Fleece Terrace (consists of old silicified plant material)

Elephant Rock (can you see it?)

Devil's Throat

One of the highlights of Orakei Korako for me was the Ruatapu Cave.  This "Sacred Hole" is one of only two known caves in the world located in a geothermal field.  There is a clear pool at the bottom of the cave, which contains warm acid water.  

Pictures do not do this cave justice.  As I stared down into the cave, it did feel sacred and powerful, and honestly potentially a bit ominous if you showed any disrespect.

Ruatapu Cave (aka Aladdin's Cave); A small pool at the base of the cave is known as Waiwhakaata or "The Pool of Mirrors."

The bubbling "Soda Fountain" hot springs, as well as the Mud Pools, were also a treat to witness.

Soda Fountain

Mud Pools

Mud pools form where thermal fluids have chemically decomposed surface rocks, forming clay in the process.  Underground energy heats the clay, producing the boiling mud.

We walked through Orakei Korako in the late afternoon, so it was pretty hot. There are few shaded benches around the area, and a portion of the walk was through lush ferns that provided some cool shade, but the overall warm temperature, along with the numerous steps, did require lots of energy, so be sure to stay hydrated and take rest breaks whenever necessary.

On site is a MudCake Cafe, where we stopped for ice cream after the hike (they also offer free Wi-Fi!).

Orakei Korako was not as crowded as other geothermal parks we visited, which I thought was great, because you didn't feel rushed or bombarded by others. 

Orakei Korako Geothermal Park is a unique place to visit that offers guests the opportunity to see thousands of years worth of past geothermal activity, while experiencing the phenomena first-hand. 

Orakei Korako Geothermal Park
494 Orakeikorako Rd

Taupo 3083, New Zealand
+64 7-378 3131

Mahalo to the sponsor for the complimentary admission.

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Visit Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is one of the most amazing places on earth that I have ever visited, and if you are in the Rotorua area, I highly recommend this attraction as a must-visit.

A result of thousands and thousands of years of volcanic activity, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland's geothermal system extends over 18-square kilometers.  

There are three main features of Wai-O-Tapu - the Lady Knox Geyser, which is presented at 10:15am daily, the Geothermal Park, and the Mud Pool.

Our family visited the Geothermal Park, which can be done in three different walks:  Walk 1 = 45 minutes; Walk 1 & 2 = 60 minutes; Walks 1, 2 & 3 = 90 minutes. Our family did all 3 walks in just under 90 minutes, including time to take photos.

We saw numerous craters throughout Wai-O-Tapu, which were caused by acidic steam coming from underground, causing the ground to collapse. 

Different colors that blanket the craters are caused by oxidized minerals (purples - manganese oxide; red / brown - iron oxide; yellow - sulphur).

Mahanga Rua

Te Rua Uenuku (Rainbow Crater)

We also encountered the Ipu, which was a mud pool consisting of unrefined crude oil.

Ipu

One of my favorite features of Wai-O-Tapu was the Champagne Pool, the largest hot spring in New Zealand. It gets its name from bubbles caused by carbon dioxide, which creates a Champagne-like effect.

Champagne Pool

The colors that were created by nature were absolutely stunning, as was evident in the Artist's Palette.  This ever-evolving area will change colors depending on sunlight, water level and wind direction.  It's comprised of water that has overflown from the Champagne Pool, which brings with it minerals from far below the surface.  As the waters cool and evaporate, colorful minerals are revealed.

Even more unbelievable was the bright green Roto Karikitea.

Like the Artist's Palette, this crater is filled with excess water from the Champagne Pool.  The vibrant color is a result of a deposit of minerals being suspended in the water and refracting sunlight. 

It is totally worth it to do all three walks, because at the third walk, you will be treated to one of the most spectacular views ever.

The stunning greens of Lake Ngakoro against the blue sky created a picture-perfect photo op.

Lake Ngakoro

Lake Ngakoro Waterfall

Other notable features that were truly impressive were:

Alum Clifs

Papa Wera (eruption crater)

Te Puna Tio (Oyster Pool)

Rua Whanariki

Rua Owhanga

Te Rua Whaitiri

The different types of terrain, formations, and colors created by natural occurrences from below and above ground were simply incredible to see.

If you are hungry, like we were before and after the walk through Wai-O-Tapu, there is a convenient Cafe on site, where we ate grab-and-go sandwiches, as well as a Toastie.

After the trek, we indulged in Tip Top ice cream!

Wai-O-Tapu is definitely one of the most surreal places on Earth.

Wai-O-Tapu
201 Waiotapu Loop Rd

Rotorua 3073, New Zealand
+64 7-366 6333

Mahalo to the sponsor for the discounted tickets.

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