Rotorua - Wai-o-Tapu

J imitating a Maori totum
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From Auckland we drove down to Rotorua, about 250 kms. On the way we stopped in Cambridge, a quaint little village founded in 1864.

The scenery along the way was beautiful and we really enjoyed the freedom of having our own car.

On arriving in Rotorua we stopped at Kuirau Park, a series of hot pools which were formed in 2001 during a volcanic eruption. We checked into Rotorua Central Backpackers (6-bed dorm; NZD 21 p/p) and explored the town on foot.

We walked through the Government Gardens, a beautiful park with buildings such as the Museum of Art and History as well as the Blue Baths. We walked up to Motutaro Point with beautiful views over Rotorua Lake. Rotorua originally was set up as a spa town (like some of you will know Droitwich is) and here you can find many natural hot pools and spas.

Rotorua's Government Gardens
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The Rotorua district is one of the world's most concentrated and accessible geothermal areas and also a place where Maori have settled. Maori make up 10% of the local people of New Zealand and their language is one of New Zeland's official languages.

The next day we drove to Wai-O-Tapu ("Sacred Waters"), 30 kms south from Rotorua. It combines a vast expanse of multi-hued rocks and pools, New Zealand's largest lake of boiling mud and the Lady Knox Geyser.

The geyser is activated every day at 10:15am by adding washing powder into the blowhole. There are two water layers down below the geyser, the top one has a temperature of 90C and the lower one of 150C. The powder reduces the water surface tension, resulting in the top layer of water breaking into the lower layer, hence causing an eruption (of 10 meters). The eruption then lasts for about 1 hour.

Tal and totum
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On the way to the thermal area we passed the boiling mud pool (biggest in NZ). The thermal area is part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is one of the most active volcanic areas in the world. It has some really interesting sights such as: The Artist's Palette, The Champagne Pool (formed 700 years ago, 65 m in diameter and 62 m deep) and The Devil's Bath.

Later that day we drove to Lake Taupo.