Make your own way to Wai-O-Tapu, located a 20-minute drive to the south from Rotorua.
The thermal riches of Wai-O-Tapu were discovered after the Tarawera Volcano eruption of 1886, which destroyed a natural landmark known as the Pink and White Terraces. Since that time, visitors have come to Wai-O-Tapu to marvel at the hot pools, volcanic craters and steaming fissures of this otherworldly area.
Explore the natural geothermal environment on your own, with several options for your visit. Walk along well-marked paths that take you to brilliantly colored steaming pools that bubble and hiss with thermal activity. Hear a presentation given daily at 10:15am when the Lady Knox Geyser erupts. Admire the native bush along your walk, adding another dimension to your experience.
Informative display panels posted along the trails explain the sights that you see. You also receive a complimentary full-color souvenir guide-map that provides detailed information about the site.
There are no toilet facilities in the main park. Please ensure you use toilet facilities available at the Visitor Centre before entering the park.
There are plenty of photo opportunities so it is a good idea to ensure that you have fully charged equipment and plenty of space on your memory card.
Our comprehensive guide map provided with your ticket contains a great deal of useful information about the features within the park. There are currently translations available in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian and Czech.
Expect to spend between 45-90 minutes at Wai-O Tapu with plenty of time to take great photos of the spectacular scenery.If you want to rest or grab a bite to eat, there's a cafe, souvenir shop, picnic area and lookout point near the visitor center.