Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Surrounding the geothermal area of Wai-O-Tapu (Māori for "sacred water") lies the Thermal Wonderland, a recreational nature park. The site sits on the edge of a vast caldera — a collapsed crater partly filled by Lake Taupo. A much larger volcanic zone stretches all around it, extending from Tongariro National Park across Lake Taupo to the Bay of Plenty and out to White Island.

At Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, visitors can discover numerous hot and cold lakes with sulphurous steam rising from their surfaces, bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, impressive geysers and further collapsed craters. Several of the geothermal attractions bear the devil's name, including Devil's Ink Pots, Devil's Cave and Devil's Home.

A Striking Palette of Colours

Alongside the pungent smell of sulphur, an extraordinary range of colours defines the landscape. The different hues come from the metals and minerals streaming up from deep inside the Earth to the surface: yellow (sulphur), orange (stibnite and realgar), green (orpiment), purple (permanganate), white (silica), red and brown (iron oxide and iron oxyhydroxide) and black (sulphur and carbon).

The Highlights: Lady Knox Geyser, Champagne Pool, Artist's Palette and Mud Pool

Among the highlights of the geothermal area is the Lady Knox Geyser. Every morning at 10:15, a staff member at the amphitheatre beside the geyser explains its history and how it works before triggering an eruption with the help of a special soap. During the eruption, a jet of water shoots up to 20 metres into the air. The Champagne Pool, with its glowing orange rim, is another highlight. The hot spring has a diameter of 65 metres and is 62 metres deep. Thousands of tiny bubbles rise from the dark green water, into which water at 230 degrees flows from the depths. At the surface, where a white sulphurous cloud of steam hovers over the pool, the water cools to around 75 degrees. Right next to the Champagne Pool lies the Artist's Palette. The area of mineral-rich water owes its name to its many different colours. The Mud Pool, a bubbling pond of mud, is also well worth seeing.

Good to Know for Your Visit

Allow plenty of time for a visit to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. If you arrive first thing in the morning, you have the chance to enjoy the stunning landscape almost to yourself. By ten o'clock at the latest, crowds of visitors stream into the park to watch the Lady Knox Geyser erupt. Three walking trails of varying length (1.5 to three kilometres) lead through the geothermal area. For the longest, allow 75 to 90 minutes. The trails pass the various attractions and let you experience the diverse volcanic nature up close. Those who are less mobile can enquire at the visitor centre about which route best suits them. There you will also find a souvenir shop, a restaurant, picnic areas, toilets and much more.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland was formed roughly 160,000 years ago.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is located on the North Island of New Zealand.

By car

 The Thermal Wonderland is quick and easy to reach by car. It lies between Rotorua (approx. 30 kilometres) and Taupo (approx. 50 kilometres) on the Thermal Explorer Highway (SH 5). Turn off onto Waiotapu Loop Rd, which leads directly to the visitor centre. Parking is available on site.

By public transport

Shuttle buses run daily from Rotorua to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. In addition, many tour operators include a stop at Wai-O-Tapu on their itineraries.