Wai-o-tapu, in the active volcanic area of Rotorua New Zealand, is a park dedicated to showcasing geothermal features. I spotted some of them during my flight in a floatplane… But from the ground I discovered all the details: surprising fluorescent colors, exploding geyser and smelly mud pool, what’s not to love?
Navigate back to the complete New Zealand Travel Guide
INFO & PLANNING TIPS - WAI-O-TAPU
Wai-o-Tapu is a geothermal park just outside of Rotorua, New Zealand North Island. It includes many features with interesting shapes and very bright colors. If you are in the area it is well worth a stop.
TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS - Wai-o-Tapu
Getting to Wai-o-Tapu
From Rotorua: south on SH 5 towards Taupo for 27km (20 mins drive) until you reach the Waiotapu Tavern. Turn left opposite the tavern and travel 2km
Visiting Wai-o-Tapu
- For price, opening times and facilities check out the Wai-o-Tapu website
- 3 loops can we walked. I think the first and main loop is the most interesting. I have found the features of the other loop less impressive
- The paths are well maintained. The main loop is easy, the others do have stairs
- Timing: In total plan at least 1h30 for the 3 loops, a bit more if you love photography and can’t stop taking the same picture over and over again with just a slightly different angle 🙂
- Outside of the park you can already observe some mud pools and a geyser called lady Knox that they trigger artificially every day at 10:15am
And now have a look at Wai-o-tapu in pictures. Enjoy the beauty without the smell!
Mud Pool and Lady Knox Geyser
Outside of the geothermal park, you can observe features for free: some fun mud pools and the Lady Knox Geyser.
The Lady Knox geyser is a short walk from the parking. They have set up benches for everyone to see. Naturally the geyser would explode everyday but not regularly at the same hour. So they help trigger the event with a natural something, so that everyone can enjoy the phenomenon everyday at 10:15 am. So don't be late!
If you like geysers, check out my article on Strokkur in Iceland!
Wai-o-tapu's highlight: the champagne pool
The highlight of Wai-o-tapu geothermal wonderland is the champagne pool and it is not heard to understand it. It is a big pool with nice round shapes and a deep orange color. Fumes are coming and going revealing different parts of the pool.
I admired it for a long time and I think I took almost 100 pictures of it. I know, I am crazy...
If you like geothermal areas, check out my article on Hverir in Iceland!
Other geothermal features
Wai-o-tapu has many other geothermal features apart from the champagne pool. Some are bright yellow or fluorescent green while other are grayish but with interesting shapes. My favorites were the very colorful ones.
The Artist's palette
The oyster pool ( I think)
The primrose terrace
The Devil's cave
Want to see more of NEW ZEALAND?
Discover more things to do with planning information and photos in my online New Zealand Travel Guide.
Very unique place, don’t you think?
Thanks Claire for sharing your Wai-o-Tapo article and photos. I’m visiting tomorrow and hope to capture some photos as nice as yours.
Have fun!