Thermal Country

Heading north from the Tongariro volcano area, I passed into “Thermal Country”. New Zealand has a number of thermal areas with geysers, hot springs, and fumeroles. It is similar to Yellowstone Nat’l Park. However, in NZ, the areas are spaced apart, and each one costs around $25 to visit!

The Wai-O-Rapu area has a geyser which goes off regularly. This is because, at 10:15am each day, a ranger drops some soap into the top, which starts the eruption. On its own, it has an unpredictable 48 to 72 hour period between eruptions, so, for the tourists, they give it some encouragement.

Otherwise, Wai-O-Rapu has some nice thermal pools.

This is the rather toxic looking Devil’s Bath:

I camped at a nearby campground called Waikite. It was a good deal because, for $10, you can use the hot pools, but, for $14, you can camp and use the hot pools. The pools are fed from a natural hot spring, which disgorges water at 98 degrees Celsius (just below boiling).

I went to another thermal area this morning. One of the most interesting things I saw was a stick insect carrying another, smaller one on its back, crossing the trail.

I am in Rotorua now, which is the base for visiting the various thermal areas. I have ten days left in my camper.