Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rotorua

While in Rotorua, it would be almost criminal not to check out what Rotorua is famous for - its thermal springs.  If you have never been to Rotorua, you need to know that it has a permanent sulphurous smell (ie rotten egg gas) because of all the thermal activity in the surrounding area.  The smell did not  bother me and you soon get used to it, but it's a good thing to know before you arrive. 

We stayed at the Sudima Hotel, Lake Rotorua, where you can view thermal activity right outside your front door:

The Sudima Hotel accommodation is fairly basic, so if you are looking for 5 star accommodation, this is not it.  However, if you want affordable accommodation close to the action, it could be the place for you.  (The travel agent who booked this New Zealand trip seemed to think that we wanted budget all the way, because we were booked into some very interesting accommodation, especially in Napier - but that's another story.)

Next door to the Sudima Hotel is the Polynesian Spa:

If you have ever wanted to bathe in thermal water, this is the place for you.  At the time of our visit, you could rent a bathing costume (that's togs to me ;)) and a towel, but given the pandemic, I am not sure if this practice will continue.  My family piked on going to the Polynesian Spa, even though they'd paid for it.  I went because I had paid, and I rather enjoyed lolling about in the bath tub warm swimming pool.  There were also mineral pools out the back, but I stayed in the main pool area.

We also took the Eco-Thermal Morning Tour through Elite Adventures.

One of the first things we saw was some mud bubbling because of thermal activity.  My mother was pleased because she was worried she wouldn't get to see any:

Next stop was Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, where we got to see more bubbling mud, lots of different types of vegetation that thrives in thermal areas, and the varied geography formed by the thermal activity in the area:

Here's a peek at the steam rising off the Devil's Bath - the whole park was steamy like this: 

This is the Devil's Lair, formed from a collapsed crater:

I believe this is the Rainbow Crater, so called because of the sulphur crystals and coloured minerals exposed in the clay walls:

This is the Artist's Palette and Champagne Pool, formed when water from the pool has overflowed and  drawn out minerals from the earth:

It was disappointing to note that the various landmarks had been fenced off since I last visited 10 years before because idiots have to be protected from themselves.

Here is another example of where the thermal activity has caused the minerals to leech to the surface of the earth:

This is the very appropriately named Devil's Bath:

The colour results from water mixing with sulphur and ferrous salts.

Here's my dear mum in front of the Devil's Bath (it was raining on the day of our visit, which added to the other worldly atmosphere):

A must for all tourists is to watch a geyser erupt.  The park staff arrange this on cue at a set time every day by throwing soap into the geyser, in this case the Lady Knox Geyser:

Boom!

Here is a peaceful view over Lake Rotomahana to give you relief from all the thermal action:

I highly recommend a visit to one of the thermal parks while you are in Rotorua - the thermal activity and the land forms it has created are spectacular and unique.

Sudima Hotel

1000 Eruera Street

Rotorua NZ

Ph: +64 7 348 1174

Polynesian Spa

1000 Hinemoa Street

Rotorua NZ

Ph: +64 7 348 1328

Elite Adventures

43 Holland Street

Rotorua NZ

Ph: +64 7 347 8282

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

201 Waiotapu Loop Road

RD 3, Rotorua, NZ

Ph:  +64 7 3666 333