Rotorua - New Zealand Travel Information
Thermal areas are areas where volcanic activity is close to the surface, which creates fascinating volcanic phenomena, such as geysers, bubbling mud pools and rich mineral pools in various amazing colors.
Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland
Wai-o-tapu Park is (in our opinion) the most beautiful thermal park in New Zealand. The park boasts an amazing concentration of thermal phenomena, including mud pools, colorful mineral pools and the Lady Knox geyser, which errupts every day at 10:15 AM. It is advisable to arrive at the park 30 minutes before the erruption to buy tickets (inside the park) and then drive to the geyser (which is located outside the park).
 Costs |
18.50 nzd (adult) |
 Hours |
Daily: |
 Getting there |
The park is located 23 km south to Rotorua, on road number 5, the road which connects Rotorua to Taupo. The distance from Taupo to the park is 49 km. |
 Website |
Additional information may be found at Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland |
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Waimangu Volcanic Valley is not as impressive as Wai-o-tapu reserve, but it also contains some beautiful thermal phenomena.
The reserve is the only one that was completely created during the last era. It was created due to a volcanic eruption of mount Tarawera in 1886, and all the evolution phases of the park are well documented. The reserve is frequently changing even these days and another destructive volcanic eruption in the future is inevitable.
The tour of the reserve is a one to two hours' foot trail through the canyon creek. At the end of the canyon a bus is waiting to take the travelers to the beginning of the course.
It is also possible to take a cruise on Lake Rotomahana that starts at the ending point of the walking trail, but this cruise is expensive (25 NZD) and does not justify the cost in our opinion.
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Costs |
25.00 nzd (adult) |
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Hours |
Daily: |
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Getting there |
The reserve is located 19 km south of Rotorua city on road number 5, which connects Rotorua to Taupo. |
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Website |
Additional information may be found at Waimangu Volcanic Valley |
Te Whakarewarewa
The biggest park in Rotorua, yet, not the nicest. The uniqueness of the park is in the combination of a glimpse to the cultural world of the Maoris and a thermal park that includes geysers, mud pools and mineral pools.
For the last 300 years the park has been the residence of a Maori tribe. The Maoris are performing a daily concert (included in the entrance fee) that presents the Maori culture through song and dance. The New Zealand Maori Art and Craft Institute is located in the park and presents Maori work of art and Maori artists at work.
The geysers in the park are impressive, especially Pohutu geyser that reaches 30 meters when it errupts 10 to 20 times a day. Next to it you can see the smaller Prince of Wales Feathers geyser.
If you think that the name of the park is complicated, you should know that the full name is even longer: Te' Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao.
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Costs |
18.00 nzd (adult) |
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Hours |
Daily: A guided tour leaves between 09:00-16:00 every 30 minutes from the park entrance. Twice a day there's a Mauri concert - at 11:15 and at 14:00 wich is included in the entrance ticket. |
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Getting there |
The park is situated in Rotorua city on Hemo Road. The way to the park is well marked. |
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Website |
Additional information may be found at Te Whakarewarewa |
