Geothermal Energies of New Zealand

The Rotorua thermal field covers 12 square kilometres. One of the most noticeable features of the region is the Rotorua caldera, which is filled with water and called Lake Rotorua. The City of Rotorua is located at the edge. If you travel solo, it’s best to come here with one of the New Zealand bus companies. I’ve travelled with Naked bus. But don’t be scared, nobody is naked on the bus. This is just a name for a cheap bus company, New Zealand's long distance bus network with daily services from all centres, which from time to time has a two-hour long journey for one dollar if you book in advance. You can check their web page here.

I’ve stayed at the YHA New Zealand, which is part of the global Hostelling International network. The Hostelling International network links more than 90 youth hostel associations in over 80 countries, meaning you’ve got more than 3,500 hostels across the planet to choose from!

When I travel in more expensive countries, I usually stay in hostels. It’s not just that it’s much cheaper, you can also meet other travellers. You don’t need fancy room and air-conditioner for the whole day because you came here to be outside exploring the city or the countryside. So, I do recommend this sustainable way of sleeping. You can be sure HI hostels mean quality and variety of accommodation, and your HI membership gives you discounts all around the world.

For a nice view of the Rotorua city, I suggest using a skyline. Skyline Rotorua is an adventure centre with a gondola, luge tracks, a high-adrenaline swing, and zip-line, plus it also offers panoramic dining.

But what attracts tourists to Rotorua the most, is situated around the city. Travellers can see how people live from geothermal activities in Whakarewarewa thermal village, where guides can give you an in-depth experience about how they use geothermal resources for daily cooking and bathing, and take you around to explore nature walking tracks and admire colourful lakes and hot springs. Half an hour from Rotorua you can find other wonders, such as Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu volcanic valley.

Whakarewarewa thermal reserve and forest park

Whakarewarewa valley is an active geothermal area with hot pools, boiling mud, and geysers. The village contains 500 hot springs, 65 geysers, colourful terraces, and vegetation unique to geothermal areas. The clear, hot pools of the village can reach between 70 and 100 degrees Celsius.

The mud pools are created by acidic gases. One of the best mud pools is called Frog Pond. It got its name because on rainy days, the mud is less viscous, so it explodes from the multitude of mud bubbles and seems to come across the surface like tiny silver frogs.

The Maori people have lived here for centuries, co-existing in harmony with the geothermal forces that lie beneath their feet. You can spend a few days in the village, whether you’re interested in seeing the vivid colours of the water, walking into the forests, or seeing the geysers, and the villagers also offer a Maori cultural event, including Maori dance. It’s a beautiful daily walk through the stunning nature in the village and around through the forest. I invite you to the webpage for more information: https://whakarewarewa.com/.

Wai-O-Tapu

Half-an-hour’s drive south you’ll find another geothermal wonderland called Wai-O-Tapu. Its name means Sacred Waters and it’s New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse volcanic area. Wai-O-Tapu thermal area covers eighteen square kilometres and visitors see just part of it.

Tourists usually gather at the Lady Knox Geyser. On a daily basis, Lady Knox Geyser erupts at 10:15 a.m. The geyser reaches heights to up to 20 meters. Another interesting thing to see is the so-called Champagne pool. The pool fills a 3,000-square-meter explosion crater and is so named because of the colour of the water and the bubbles created by carbon dioxide rising to the surface.

There are also many mud pools, which bubble up in the air. Also very colourful and interesting to see is Devil’s Bath. This neon green pool of stagnant stink water is a true natural wonder of Wai-O-Tapu. Please read more about this wonderland here.

Waimangu volcanic valley – the environmental importance

Waimangu lies near Wai-O-Tapu. It was created in 1886 by Tarawera volcano eruption. When the Tarawera Eruption at Waimangu and Rotomahana ended at 05.30 a.m. on 10 June 1886, the landscape was significantly altered and all life extinguished. This was the beginning of the new ecosystem.

Waimangu and Rotomahana are the only examples of a New Zealand native forest that naturally regenerates after complete devastation. All rare and unusual geothermally adapted plants known in New Zealand live at Waimangu and Rotomahana. Waimangu is also the only geothermal system in New Zealand that hasn’t been altered by man’s activity.

I really enjoyed walking among the countless bubbling mud baths, each creating its own shape. The colours of some of the craters were truly amazing. I was especially surprised by the colours of Inferno crater and its vivid blue colour. Also interesting was lake Frying Pan, which is one of the largest hot springs in the world. Just as in the Wai-O-Tapu reserve, the colours of nature intertwine with each other here and I couldn’t turn off the camera, not even for a moment.

You can check out more about Waimangu, events, bookings, and prices here.

What attracted me the most in Rotorua as well as in New Zealand in general were beautiful fern trees that you can find virtually everywhere. Whether you’re in town or outside, somewhere near the woods, you can find them, and they’re as tall as trees.

All this shows how extremely interesting New Zealand is, with its abundance of natural wonders. I hope that, with this article, I’ve brought you closer to a part of the country’s extraordinary beauty.