pictures-of-newzealand.com » Travelogue New Zealand: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Taupo

Travelogue New Zealand

Nov 01
Wed

Verena in Wai-O-Tapu Wonderland & The joy of camping in Taupo

We don't set off as early as planned, because we want to enjoy the hot pool once more. A girl from Waikite Valley joins me, she has a commutation ticket and is glad about the pools. «There's nothing else you can do here», she smiles.

The Champagne Pool in Wai-O-Tapu Wonderland · more Rotorua pictures

According to Lonely Planet the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is the most fascinating of the thermal areas. Ralph is sick of sulphur smell and prefers to wait for me what's quite okay for me. I neither put no value to see Lady Knox Geyser which spouts of daily and punctually at 10.15 am with the little help of a kind of washing powder – after all I've already admired the Pohutu Geyser who manages on his very own ;-) Nor I need to see more stinky blubbling mud pools. Both features are external of the rest of the park and I ignore them. I'm drawn by the pools and mineral terraces shining in the sunlight in all possible and impossible colours.

The colourful palette is generated by sulphides and oxides in the volcanic stone. These make the water shine in all colours when reflected by the sunlight: Green – colloidal sulphur, Yellow – sulphur, Orange – antimony, Purple – manganese oxide, White – silica, Black – sulphur and carbon, Red-brown – iron oxide.

Frying Pan Flat in Wai-O-Tapu Wonderland · more Rotorua pictures

I choose the “longest” of the 3 walks. The loop track is estimated with 3 km and 75 minutes but if you really want to enjoy the park you should take more time. I do so. Fortunately it's less hurly-burly than expected. There are some tour groups, but when you take your time there's opportunity to be alone or nearly alone at a place and to enjoy the extraordinary view and the silence. The track leads across barren rocks and along earth caves and crevices steaming and burbling like hell. Fittingly one of the craters is called Devil's Home. Pink and orange shines the air at hot steaming Champagne Pool. A path leads through lush pine forest to lakes coloured neon green by the reflection of the sulphides. In the green water of Frying Pan Flat a bird indeed searches for feed. I wonder what he's looking for. Anyway, it can't be fish.

Sparkling Champagne Pool in Wai-O-Tapu Wonderland · more Rotorua pictures

On my way back I find Champagne Pool completely deserted, no one's here except me. Now I can clearly hear the sparkling of the tirelessly surfacing little bubbles. Indeed, it's a pool full of champagne. I'll never forget.

Ralph's been waiting at the carpark all the time. He's quite done by now – it's hot today ;-) Next we head for Taupo. Fortunately we miss the camping site, because shortly afterwards we find a nice spot for our campervan on a carpark directly in front of Lake Taupo, with a stunning view to the Tongariro volcanic massif on the opposite side. And this is for free! Everything looks blue. The water, the mountains, the sky. Tongariro. The next big aim. The eucalyptus tree besides us spreads its scent. No wishes left.

We do our food shopping at PAK'n SAVE and are pleasantly surprised. In contrast to the Whangarei store fish looks fresh, they have tasty buns and a good range of crunchy fruits and vegetables. Afterwards we stroll around. At Hell we eat the most delicious pizza (we've had so far) in New Zealand. Pizza Mordor with chicken and BBQ-sauce is a hit.

In the Pub 'n' Grub we're watching the sun setting down at Tongariro. Having 2 pints Mac's Gold we rejoice over finding a place like this. A lonely, talkative cowboy joins us and explains that the dressager on tv (who gives his best in my view) had no clue. He is pretty drunk and wants to offer his takeaway-food to us while he tells us his wife is waiting for it at home and spills the sauce on the table and our glasses. We don't mind, the guy is nice and he means well. The bar man simply brings new beer and nobody cares. Oh how beautiful is Taupo.

Evening at Lake Taupo · more Taupo pictures

previous – Overview – next

pictures-of-newzealand.com » Travelogue New Zealand: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Taupo

Useful

Campervan Tips

Travelogue New Zealand

Verena in Wai-O-Tapu Wonderland & The joy of camping in Taupo