Rotorua: the Waimangu Volcanic Valley and fantastic adventures in NZ

The days in Wellington were fantastic; we loved the Botanic Garden and waterfront. White-water rafting in Turangi was an exciting adventure. We loved Napier’s Art Deco architecture. Then we stayed in Rotorua and hiking the Waimangu Volcanic Valley was breathtaking. Finally, we went to New Zealand’s most active volcano, White Island.

Wellington

We’ve been to windy Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, four times and just enjoy it. It is a stunning city that is easy to explore. The waterfront area with cafes and restaurants, Cuba Street with its bohemian atmosphere, the Cable Car and Botanic Garden, and the Te Papa Museum are all great places to visit.

We began our New Zealand travel three times from Wellington. The town is easy to explore on foot. A must-do is a trip on the Wellington Cable Car to the top of the Botanic Garden, where you will have panoramic views of the city and harbour. Walk back to the city through the beautiful garden.

The waterfront view and the museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa are must-dos in Wellington, you can easily spend a whole day there.

After walking around the waterfront, we had drinks at one of the great restaurants. The New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Museum is a must-see site during a trip to Wellington.

We visited the ecosanctuary Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne and walked through and saw many rare native wildlife species. Wildlife sanctori, Wellington New Zealand

Then we walked around the ecco-sanctuary, Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, and saw many rare native wildlife species.

That is New Zealand, with friendly people everywhere.

New Zealand is a country where you can find nice people everywhere.

Whanganui

Whanganui, a city on New Zealand’s North Island, is beautiful. It is known for its culture and the Whanganui River. In addition, we enjoyed walking along the river, canoeing, and discovering the lovely town. If you enjoy golf, play on one of the interesting nearby courses.

During our New Zealand trips, we travelled to Whanganui twice. We loved the beautiful town centre, galleries, parks, and the majestic Wanganui River.

The Whanganui River is New Zealand's third-longest and is significant to the Maori people. After extensive discussion, the river was granted its own legal identity, complete with the rights, duties, and liabilities of a legal person. New Zealand, North island

The Whanganui River in New Zealand is important for the Maori people. It was given its own legal identity and the same rights, obligations, and liabilities as a person. This was a world first; later, the Ganges River was given similar rights.

The river and its unique fauna.
Wanganui, New Zealand

The Whanganui River and its unique fauna.

In 2007, we booked a canoe tour with the postman in Wanganui. He took us on his mail run up the river to the little hamlets and dropped us with the canoe upstream. Two hours later, he picked us up downstream. We enjoyed it a lot. New Zealand

We booked a canoe tour with the postman in Wanganui in 2007. During his mail run, he took us up the river to the small hamlets and dropped us off with the canoe upstream. Then he picked us up downstream two hours later. We had a great time.

Tongariro National Park

Tongariro National Park is New Zealand’s oldest national park. It’s a dual UNESCO World Heritage site for its culture and natural beauty. It has three active volcanic peaks: Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Tongariro. It’s great for hiking, climbing, skiing, and enjoying the views.

Mount Ngauruhoe, which stands at 2,291 metres and has historically been New Zealand's most active volcano, has been dormant for 50 years. This dangerous-looking volcano appeared as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings films. New Zealand

Mount Ngauruhoe, 2,291 metres high, is New Zealand’s most active volcano, but it has been dormant for 50 years. This dangerous-looking volcano appeared as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings films.

A view of the New Zealand's largest active volcano, Mount Ruapehu, which has multiple peaks with a peak height of 2797 metres. New Zealand, North Island

Mount Ruapehu is New Zealand’s largest active volcano, with multiple peaks. The highest of which is 2797 metres.

We stayed in Ohakune for four days and took a lift from Whakapapa village to the Knoll Ridge Chalet, which is 2020 metres above sea level. New Zealand

While We stayed in Ohakune, we took the lift from Whakapapa village to the Knoll Ridge Chalet, which is 2020 metres above sea level.

From there, we hiked up Skyline Ridge (2,300 metres) for spectacular views of Mt Ngauruhoe, Lake Taupo, and more. It is regarded as the best short hike in Tongariro National Park. New Zealand

Later, we hiked up Skyline Ridge (2,300 metres) for spectacular views of Mt Ngauruhoe and Lake Taupo. This short hike has been regarded as the best in Tongariro National Park.

We found a secret New Zealand military depot on the road up to Whakapapa.New Zealand

Finally, we came across a top-secret military storage site on the trip to Whakapapa.

The Silica Rapids Track, which begins 250 metres above the Whakapapa Village Visitor Centre and takes 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete, is another excellent hike. The path passes through subalpine vegetation, mountain beech trees, swamps, and tussocks. Iron-oxide clays from upstream swamps create the famous Silica Rapids, creamy white deposits. New Zealand

The Silica Rapids is our favourite hike in Whakapapa. Track starts 250 metres above the Visitor Centre. Then the path passes through subalpine vegetation, mountain beech trees, swamps, and tussock grass. Iron-oxide clays from upstream swamps create the famous Silica Rapids, creamy white. It took us two and a half hours to complete.

Taupo

Taupo is a vibrant town known for its stunning natural beauty, geothermal wonders, and outdoor activities. The town sits on the shore of Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand.

We stayed halfway between Taupo and Rotorua for a few days to explore the area. This is a view of Lake Taupo.

The place we were staying was rundown, but we had our own hot spring. New Zealand

Our place was rundown, but we had our private hot spring.

New Zealands longest river originates on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu and flows through Lake Taupo before blasting through a narrow rock chasm to create the Huka Falls. It then flows peacefully northwards towards Port Waikato.

New Zealand’s longest river, Waikato, originates on the slopes of Mt. Ruapehu and flows through Lake Taupo before blasting through a narrow rock chasm to create the Huka Falls. It then flows peacefully northwards towards Port Waikato.

We did grade 3 white water rafting on the Tongariro River from Turangi, which was very well organised. New Zealand

We did a grade 3 white water rafting tour on the Tongariro River.

Navigating 60 rapids in a 13km stretch was an unforgettable adventure. Rafting New Zealand

During our tour, the guide and we had to navigate 60 rapids over a 13-kilometre length. This was a great adventure.

Taupo was the site of a significant international triathlon competition two days prior. We were extremely proud to work with some of the competitors' crew members, considering our age. New Zealand

We had an excellent crew. Some of the squad members were fit and had just competed in an international triathlon tournament. However, we were quite proud to work with them, especially given our age.

Rotorua

Rotorua is known for its geothermal activity. The landscape is lined with geysers, hot springs and mud pools. Rotorua is a cultural heartland for the Maori people. In addition, it offers many ways to learn about and experience traditional Maori customs, arts, and lifestyles.

During our 2018 New Zealand trip, we stayed in a nice rental home a few kilometres outside of Rotorua. There, we went hiking and played golf. The highlight of the day was the cow procession for milking.

The Craters of the Moon were formed in the 1950s, when a large area of land north of Taupo suddenly became hot and began to emit steam due to a nearby geothermal power station. It is now a popular tourist destination with easy walkways and low admission fees.,New Zealand. Is not far from Rotorua

The Crater of the Moon is about one hour drive from Rotorua. We walked the Craters, which was formed in the 1950s when a large area of land north of Taupo suddenly became hot and began to emit steam due to a nearby geothermal power station. It is now a popular tourist destination with easy walkways and low admission fees.

From Rotorua, we drove to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. We enjoyed hiking through, which was fantastic. It was created in 1886 when the volcano Mount Tarawera erupted. The entire walk to the lake’s edge is about 4 kilometres long, but mostly downhill. Inferno Crater Lake is a hot spring with stunning pale blue, highly acidic water. A shuttle bus stops at three locations and returns to the entrance.

The Frying Pan Lake is the world's largest hot spring, with acidic water temperatures ranging from 50 to 60 degrees Celsius. Waimangu Volcanic Valley near Rotorua

During the hike through Waimangu Volcanic Valley, there are many places to take fantastic photos. The outflow from Frying Pan Lake is vividly coloured because of minerals and algae.

The Frying Pan world’s largest hot spring. The lake is filled with steaming acidic water, typically around 55 C to 60 C. The steam and gases, the surrounding mineral deposits and the lush native bush create a wonderful atmosphere.

Waimangu Volcanic Valley wonderful silica terraces. Rotorua, New Zealand is a must to visit

View of the wonderful silica terraces in the Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Lake Rotomahana, one of New Zealand’s deepest lakes, is at the end of the hike. On our second visit, we took a 45-minute cruise through this beautiful, unspoilt natural wilderness area. After the cruise, a bus took us back to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley Visitor Centre, and then we drove back to Rotorua.

White Island

White Island is an active volcano about 48 kilometres offshore from the North Island. It is one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes. It was a popular tourist destination. However, a large eruption in 2019 killed 22 and injured many, and no tourists allowed on the island since then.

While touring New Zealand in 2007, we took a boat trip from Whakatane to Whakaari / White Island. It is 50 km from the coast and is New Zealand’s most active volcano.

A large eruption occurred in 2019 while 47 people were on the island, 22 of whom died and the others were seriously injured.

Helicopter tours to White Island are popular, but we enjoyed the two hours boat trip, one way. We had a wonderful guide. She told us interesting stories about the history of the Island and Whakatāne.

We took a two-hour guided tour around the island, and it was fascinating, with the colours, steam, and odour.

We enjoyed the tour and were lucky that no eruption happened while we were there. White island volcano new zealand

We enjoyed the tour and were lucky that no volcano eruption happened while we were there.

Napier

Napier is located in the heart of Hawke’s Bay, one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions. It is a vibrant city known for its stunning Art Deco architecture and beautiful coastal landscapes. Often referred to as the “Art Deco Capital of the World.

While Napier is known for Art Deco, it was also a major wine-producing region in Hawkes Bay. The 3-kilometre walk along the black pebble beach is beautiful. In addition, there are also playgrounds, an aquarium, an ocean spa bath, and much more

Following the 1931 earthquake, the Soundshell was built in 1935 to rise from the rubble and ashes to another stunning Art Deco building.

The impressive Temperance & General Building, completed in 1936, was Napier's largest commercial structure.

The wonderful building was once Napier’s largest commercial complex.

Tom Parker, a 1936 Art Deco fountain that is illuminated after sunset, is another attraction on the Marine Parade.