CRATERS OF THE MOON
171 Karapiti Road, Taupo. +64-27-496 5131. Entrance fee. $. Open 7 days. 8.30am-5pm. Closed 25 Dec.
Craters of the Moon is yet another opportunity to experience earth’s awesome activity. A 45-minute track snakes its way through an area of moss, steaming ground and large craters in a landscape that strangely resembles a distant world. An additional 20-minute track leads to a viewpoint for marvellous views across this bizarre landscape. The small entrance fee makes this one of the most affordable geothermal fields in the country. Located just 10 minutes north of Taupo, Craters of the Moon makes for an easy and memorable excursion.
HUKAFALLS JET
200 Karetoto Road, Wairakei. +64-7-374 8572. 0800 485 253 (within NZ). $+. Open 7 days. Oct-Apr 8.30am-5pm. Dec/Jan 8.30am-5.30pm. May-Sep 9am-4pm.
For an up close experience of the dramatic Huka Falls, a jetboat trip towards the waterfall is a must. Strap yourself in and jet across the Waikato River at speeds of 80km/50miles per hour towards the mighty Huka Falls, with exhilarating 360 degree turns along the way, and at the base of the impressive waterfall. The trip takes approximately 30 minutes and is one of the most thrilling experiences you’ll have. Highly recommended.
ORAKEI KORAKO – THE HIDDEN VALLEY
494 Orakeikorako Road. +64-7-378 3131. Entrance fee. $$$. Open 7 days. 8am-4.30pm. Last entry 4pm in winter.
Orakei Korako lies about halfway between Taupo and Rotorua, and is slightly more off-the-beaten track than most other geothermal parks. Situated at the end of the road in a magnificently scenic setting, Orakei Korako truly is a Hidden Valley. A short boat trip across pretty Lake Ohakuri takes you to a strange yet beautiful volcanically active landscape of colourful geothermal features and spontaneously erupting geysers. It feels as if you’ve arrived at a forgotten prehistoric world. Boardwalks take visitors across stunning features where the sheer size of ancient lava flows and mindblowing silica terraces are simply out of this world. Another feature at Orakei Korako is a geothermal cave – Ruatapa Cave – the only of its kind in New Zealand, and one of only two in the world located within a geothermal field. Orakei Korako is sure to be a highlight of any visit to New Zealand, so place this at the top of your list.
TOKAANU
The town of Tokaanu is a quaint little place. This is not a tourist hot spot, nor is it a picture perfect village. Yet, there is something about Tokaanu that makes you want to come back again and again. It is a tranquil place with many charming timber buildings, thermal pools, steaming vents, and an old wharf that has been here since the 1880’s before roads reached this part of the country. Back then, tourists traveled by stagecoach from Waiouru to the Tokaanu wharf and then onwards to Taupo by steamer.
Next to the Tokaanu Thermal Pools (+64-7-386 8575. Entrance fee. $. Open 7 days. 10am-9pm. Closed 25 Dec) on Mangaroa Street, is the free Tokaanu Thermal Walk – an easy 20-minute bush walk where boardwalks take visitors through a seemingly alien landscape of steaming pools and spluttering mud.
Set aside a couple of hours to visit Tokaanu, or overnight at the historic Oasis Motel (+64-7-386 8569) with its natural hot mineral pools.
