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Travelogue New Zealand

Oct 31
Tue

Erupting Pohutu Geyser and a sparkling hot pool

Almost opposite the campground are Te Puia and Te Whakarewarewa. We can't see the difference between the two Māori cultural centres, not even with the help of the leaflets we got yesterday in Rotorua. In the campground office we hear that Te Whakarewarewa and Te Puia had been one place until conflicts between the resident Māori tribes came up. Now the place is separated by a fence, explains our host shaking her head. In Te Puia you can get closer to the Pohutu Geyser – this makes the decision easy for us.

Pohutu Geyser · more Rotorua pictures

During our stay in Te Puia we are lucky enough to experience Pohutu in action twice. It's fountain is said to reach up to 30 metres into the sky. It doesn't spray that high today, but the power of the geyser is really impressive. Again, steam is rising from cracks and crevices. The sky is grey and the temperature low, but the ground in Te Puia is as warm as if there was a heater immediately under the surface. Stones with Māori words and their meanings lie on the ground. Mana – Power. Waiata – Song. Karakia – Prayer. Several mud pools and hot springs, a recreated Māori village and a typical meeting house. The giant Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (including a carving and weaving school) is still under construction, but you can already see the artists working. With the help of the schools traditional arts and crafts will be preserved and passed for the next generations.

Te Puia It's hot in Te Puia. · more Rotorua pictures

The ticket is $28 p.p. and includes a Māori concert with traditional dance, but we miss out: The concert at 12.15 pm is fully booked while the following one at 3.15 pm is too late for us, because we want to leave beforehand. But it doesn't matter to us, because we are not really fond of events which are especially for tourists ;-)

I enter the little kiwi house right as a group of Japanese tourists are leaving. I'm alone and pleased to see a little kiwi. But you can't compare this kiwi house to the Otorohanga Kiwi House which is far more beautiful. Afterwards I meet Ralph in the cafe. I have a yummy piece of carrot cake – and take one more for the road. Finally we browse through the souvenir shop where they have really beautiful wood and bone carvings from local artists.

We have our next stop at the nearby Waikite Valley Thermal Pools. For $8 p.p. you can relax in heavenly hot pools which are supplied directly from a boiling mineral spring. Or you can decide to stay at the little campground and pay $12 per night per person with the pools included. For 4 more dollars you can rent a private pool for 40 minutes. We choose the full package. The weather has become fine and we enjoy the rest of the day here. The beautiful pool offers a view over the sunny, green wide valley. The hot water is sparkling on the skin. It's simply gorgeous.

On the way to the hot spring. Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, Eco Trail · more Rotorua pictures

There's the pretty little Eco Trail (15 min.) leading to the spring. It follows the steaming stream which makes its way by pongas and ferns with white mineral sediments in the streambed. The source itself boils, you can see huge brewing bubbles reaching the surface.

The campground is simple but ok. Together with the pools it's a lucky strike and in addition to that a good base if you want to go to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland which we have planned to be our next and last stop in Rotorua. What's more, Taupo is just half an hour from here.

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Travelogue New Zealand

Erupting Pohutu Geyser and a sparkling hot pool