Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua

Cool site. If you've been to Yellowstone and seen the geothermal parts of the park and liked it, come here! Photos don't do the park justice, so I've attached some terrible videos to give some insight into what you can see here. Parts of the park have a hydrogen sulfide smell but that's expected around geothermal springs. Really unique area, just be sure to stay on the path! You don't want to join the Maori warriors who were buried here. 🙂

Champagne pool is beautiful and it's got heaps of warm steam. Lovely walkways, but it's too hot on a sunny day in summer with only few shelters and shades. There's a souvenir shop and a Cafe with vending machines at the entrance. Fast entry on Monday, plenty of carpark outside, and not crowded inside.

A wonderful world of varied Geothermal activity of various kinds in one single enclosure. From steaming vents, mud pools, green and yellow lakes it's all here. This also has the multi coloured Champagne Pool and the famous Lady Knox Geyser. Be aware, the Lady Knox Geyser erupts once a day only and they induce it to happen at 10:15am. So be sure to get to the park early to be in time to purchase the tickets and drive up to the parking spot to be able to view the eruption. You have to deal with the suphurous smell. But that is also true of rest of Rotorua as well

Nature at its best! There are not many places where one can get so close to active geysers and geothermal activity. We visited Waiotapu after 2004, and our experience was as wonderful now as back then. Everything is well laid out and signposted. The car park appears full but everyone can explore the attraction at their own pace. A special mention: the internet was down when we reached - group of 10 adults. The friendly staff stamped our hands and said, “enjoy the attraction; pay when you get back to town and have internet connection!” Highly recommended.

Must visit! It's a very unique landscape and the walks around the park are worth the time and present different geothermal pools and views. There are three different walks with increasing duration, but all are easy enough.