The Waimangu Walking Trail

A couple of weeks before the COVID-19 level 4 lockdown came into effect, we took a trip to the Waimangu volcanic valley which is located a short distance off State Highway 5 near Rotorua.

We had our friend, Liz, from the UK staying with us for a few days, so my Wife, Mandy, Liz and I took the opportunity play tourist for the day and go somewhere none of us had been to before. Dan, our 9 year old decided he didn’t want to come on the trip, so we had a child-free day; and no “are we there yet” sounds coming from the back seat! Bliss!

Waimangu is home to the World's youngest geothermal system. This geothermal system was formed as the result of a 4 hour long volcanic eruption on 10 June 1886 whereby around 120 people lost their lives. During the eruption, the landscape was wiped out and the 17 kilometre long Waimangu Volcanic Rift was formed. It is the only geothermal system in the World created within written history, and its creation can be pin-pointed to an exact time and event - the Tarawera Eruption of 10 June 1886. Everything seen at Waimangu today is either a direct result of the 1886 eruption or, if it is alive, has arrived there since the eruption.

The images below are of Frying Pan Lake (the worlds largest hot spring) as seen from the walk down the hill from the park entrance and visitor centre.

The evolution of the Waimangu geothermal system has been monitored and recorded since it was formed, providing a unique record of the evolution of a new eco system. The system is powered by a large magma dome (molten lava) that is only about 2 km below the Earth's surface and is situated in the south west corner of Lake Rotomahana.

The inviting, yet highly acidic (pH of around 3.7) Inferno Crater Lake (below) is a huge geyser-like hot water spring (Crypto Geyser). The lake rises and falls periodically with water flowing out of the lake and into the stream which flows into Lake Rotomahana. If you’re wondering if the water really is that colour, I can assure you that on the day of our visit is most definitely was. No Photoshop trickery has taken place here!

Geothermal activity along the Waimangu Stream (below) is present all along its length.

Lake Rotomahana Boat Cruise

Lake Rotomahana is the youngest, and one of the deepest lakes in New Zealand and has remained unaltered by man since its creation in 1886. The lake is New Zealands original tourist attraction, and during the 19th Century, visitors travelled to the lake to view the legendary pink and white terraces which were subsequently destroyed during the 1886 eruption.

The 1886 Tarawera eruption could be heard as far away as Christchurch in New Zealand’s South island, some 800 kilometres away. Before the eruption, two small lakes existed here. They were called Lake Rotomahana (warm lake) and Lake Rotomakariri (cold lake) and these became one big lake during the eruption. The eruption locked off the valley and with no outflow, the water level rose by 40 metres, and the surface area increased by a factor of 20.

The geyser below is a fairly new feature and erupts every 8 to 12 minutes. The boats Captain knows exactly when the geyser will erupt, so positions the boat perfectly for the best view.

For more information about the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the Lake Rotomahana boat tour and to book a visit, check out www.waimangu.co.nz

For a map of the area check it out here: Map