Overview

Hype:

The Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is a tourist operation that occupies part of the Waiotapu reserve, which is a protected geothermal area at the southern end of the Okataina Volcanic Centre, just north of the Reporoa caldera, in New Zealand's Taupo Volcanic Zone. Due to dramatic geothermal conditions beneath the earth, the area has many hot springs noted for their colorful appearance, in addition to the Lady Knox Geyser, Champagne Pool, Artist's Palette, Primrose Terrace and boiling mud pools. These can mostly be viewed through access by foot.

Trail Condition: Class 1 (Trail is either paved or gravel. Navigation skills are not needed because there is only one trail or because there are signs. Elevation gains are gradual or there are stairs.)

Time: 45-90 minutes

Length: 0.7 mile loop for Walk 1, 1 mile loop for Walks 1 and 2, 1.4 mile loop for Walks 1,2, and 3, additional 0.33 miles to Lake Ngakoro

Elevation Gain: 150 ft

Fees: Admission

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Links: https://www.waiotapu.co.nz/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiotapu

Maps

Closest City or Region: Rotorua, New Zealand

Coordinates: -38.355935, 176.367639

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Brochure

November 14, 2022 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Savannah Dye,

Story

On Monday, we went to Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland. We stopped at the mud pots then went to watch Lady Knox Geyser erupt. They force it to erupt at a specific time by dumping soap down the vent hole. We walked on all three of the loops past all of the mud pots and funerals and pools. Our favorite was probably the bright fluorescent green pool at the very end. It looked like something fake.

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Pictures