Rotorua is one of the world’s most spectacular geothermal wonderlands. There are five main geothermal areas in which a variety of geysers, hot springs, boiling mud pools and hissing craters can be experienced up close. Boasting the largest geyser in the country with approx 500 hot springs, Whakarewarewa, is the most visited area. Hell’s Gate is Rotorua’s most fierce geothermal area with boiling whirl pools, the largest hot waterfall in the southern Hemisphere. Waimangu Valley is a breathtaking tribute to the devastating eruption of Mount Tarawera over 100 years ago. Including some of the most colourful volcanic features such as the Champagne Pool, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is set among gorgeous native bush. Accessible by boat, Orakei Korako, the Hidden Valley, is lauded as one of the finest thermal areas in the world.
