Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
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Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Thousands of Years in the Making. A Wonderland of Stunning Geothermal Activity
"One of the 20 Most Surreal Places in the World" Trip Advisor
Explore spectacular nature at New Zealand's most colourful natural volcanic park. Walks through this unique geothermal area take between 30 and 75 minutes and provide a wide range of amazing photo opportunities at features including the world famous Champagne Pool, naturally coloured hot and cold springs, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace formations. The natural bush setting, the Lady Knox Geyser erupting daily at 10.15 am and the nearby ever active "Mud Pool" add other dimensions to the experience. The first class Visitor Centre incorporates cafe and retail facilities, and there are picnic areas and plenty of parking. Wai-O-Tapu is situated just 20 minutes drive south of Rotorua, or 40 minutes drive north of Taupo on State Highway 5.
Details
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Organisation |
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal WonderlandCommercial organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Waiotapu |
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Business Times |
Opening Hours: Open every day including all Public Holidays: April-October: 8:30am-5:00pm (last admission 3:45pm) November-March: 8:30am-6:00pm (last admission 4:45pm) Christmas Day: 8:30 am-5:00 pm (last admission 3:45pm) |
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Coordinates |
Geothermal
Reviews
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4.5/5
Beautiful landscape, truly amazing colours.
Must do for every tourist in the Rotorua area. Nice, clean park, good pathways, not too crowded (can imagine in summer you will be queuing a lot for a good picture!).
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4.5/5
Very nice park!
A lot of hot pools (colourful, stinky, bubbly) and we saw the Lady Knox Geyser at 10:15. Also we went to the mud pool nearby, what was also cool to see.
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4.0/5
Nice place to see many effects that the geothermal activity has on the landscape.
Maybe a little expensive for a self guided walk but you can grab some information from the flyer. The staff presenting Lady Knox Geyser is very friendly and knowledgeable.
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3.5/5
Very interesting and lots to see on their walks around the park.
If you go at 10:00am you can see them induce the geyser to erupt but it makes it very busy at this time. As expected, quite smelly!
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3.5/5
Cool experience but geyser only goes off in the morning - alternative times.
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3.0/5
Disappointed to find out the Lady Knox Geyser did not erupt naturally.
The park was interesting but busy from the rush after seeing the geyser. Would recommend trying to visit early, before the geyser. Quite pricey too.
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3.5/5
Very interesting and lots to see on their walks around the park.
If you go at 10:00am you can see them induce the geyser to erupt but it makes it very busy at this time. As expected, quite smelly!
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4.5/5
Very nice park!
A lot of hot pools (colourful, stinky, bubbly) and we saw the Lady Knox Geyser at 10:15. Also we went to the mud pool nearby, what was also cool to see.
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3.5/5
Cool experience but geyser only goes off in the morning - alternative times.
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4.5/5
Beautiful landscape, truly amazing colours.
Must do for every tourist in the Rotorua area. Nice, clean park, good pathways, not too crowded (can imagine in summer you will be queuing a lot for a good picture!).
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4.0/5
Nice place to see many effects that the geothermal activity has on the landscape.
Maybe a little expensive for a self guided walk but you can grab some information from the flyer. The staff presenting Lady Knox Geyser is very friendly and knowledgeable.
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4.5/5
Incredible two hour walk through a geothermal area near Taupo.
Lots of information and facts available on boards throughout the walk and the scenery is amazing.
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4.5/5
Well explained and maintained park through geysers, mud holes, volcanic crater landscapes - expensive but well worth it.
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5.0/5
By far the best geothermal park in the Rotorua area, the artist palette, craters, lakes and devils bath are really colourful, simply amazing.
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4.0/5
Good range of geothermal activity.
Champagne Pool was brilliant. Lots of walks - self guided and well signposted. Watched the Geyser but only lasted a minute or two and was overcrowded.
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5.0/5
Good value activity and not overcrowded.
Unlimited time to spend there and at no additional cost. Great facilities, brochure for free and in many languages.
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4.5/5
A typical tourist thing to do, but what a beautiful park!
Especially the Champagne Pool is very impressive, it feels like you are on a different planet!
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4.0/5
Nice to see one of the most active volcano areas in the world.
Beautiful colours, lots of information, not too long to walk.
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4.0/5
Well organised and set up treks through a geothermal area with daily showing of a geyser erupting.
Easy to find and friendly staff.
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5.0/5
Everything in a small space - perfect for families - a well laid out and varied park with some astonishing sights and smells!
Take a baby carrier and backpack to reach it all.
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4.0/5
It was a really nice area with a lot of different scenic views.
But because the geyser sprouts at 10:15am sharp, it is very crowded (also at the walk after).
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4.0/5
Nice to see but very touristy.
Geyser is induced to go off. Beautiful area however.
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3.0/5
Disappointed to find out the Lady Knox Geyser did not erupt naturally.
The park was interesting but busy from the rush after seeing the geyser. Would recommend trying to visit early, before the geyser. Quite pricey too.
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4.0/5
Wai-o-Tapu was really nice, 75 minutes of walking.
In the beginning of the walk it seemed kind of dull but it got better and was really nice.
