Taupo and Rotorua

Taupo and Rotorua are thermal areas. The last time we were in Taupo we didn't visit any of these thermal areas, so that was our plan for the next couple of days in this area of New Zealand.

After getting up and making our gameplan for the day, we decided to go to a nearby park for our first thermal hot spring. This spring was public and therefore free (we like free). When we got there, we didn't see a lot of steam rising from the pool and waterfall. I wasn't sure about getting my bathing suit on and going in if the water wasn't hot because the air was a bit chilly so lukewarm water and chilly air didn't make for a good combo in my opinion. Allan is a lot braver with cold water than I am and didn't really hesitate. He was, however, disappointed. The water wasn't hot and was borderline warm. He was dedicated though, and tried out the waterfall and the other pool just to make sure that the temperature of the water wasn't hot. There was an English couple who also went in (mostly because they saw Allan go in) and they didn't last very long in the water. We talked with them about their travel plans while they, and Allan, dried off and then we carried on with our day.

The next stops for us were Huka Falls and Aratiatia Dam. Huka Falls were pretty with the turquoise blue water and the powerful flow. But, after all of the waterfalls we have seen on the trip, it didn't feel unique to us, especially with all of the beautiful gorge water we have seen in New Zealand. It was still worth the quick stop to walk around the different viewpoints and with more time might have been nice to walk one of the many trails around there (and if it wasn't the day after the Tongariro Crossing...). So we got back in the car and headed to Aratiatia Dam. The dam opens at the same time everyday, and we arrived in time for the dam opening at noon. We got there with about five minutes to spare. Allan went on one side, where the dam opening is, and I went on the other side of the bridge where the water would flow and begin filling up the gorge and then flow. A big buzzer sounded before the dam opened, and then the water began to flow. It began filling up the area directly across from the bridge, and once it overflowed and began to make a small river down the gorge, we moved to the next viewpoint.

At the next viewpoint, in the middle of the water flow, we could see the bridge in the distance and the water was flowing like rapids from the bridge area (the dam entrance) down to what I assume is an actual river in Taupo. I stayed here watching the water get stronger, and Allan ran to the end viewpoint. After about 10 minutes, the dam shut again and the water flow became less and less as it emptied out of the basin-like area it flowed into when it immediately left the dam. Once it was pretty slow, I went back towards the main path and waited for Allan. About 10 minutes later, he came running back after an unexpectedly difficult adventure to the final viewpoint.

We left the dam and headed towards Craters of the Moon, a geothermal area with steam vents and mudpools. The entire area is boardwalked over the steam vents and pools. Because of this, it is pretty immersive, and it was cheap which was an added bonus. We wandered around looking at the different steam vents and colorful mud. There were also some huge mud pits, with thick, bubbling, gray mud. It was the kind of jacuzzi Shrek probably would have enjoyed, but would be an excruciating death for everyone else.

After Craters of the Moon, our geothermal day continued after a short hour long drive to Rotorua. This village is well known for its thermal hot springs which I was really looking forward to soaking in after yesterday. We arrived in the mid afternoon, which was great because the only free campsite here was in the village and apparently fills up quick. Because we didn't waste any time in Taupo, we arrived early enough to get a space (thank goodness). The parking for the campground was right across the street from a huge thermal spa, Polynesian Spa, right on the lake. Before we did anything else, we checked a deal website and found a deal for the fancy spa, and booked in for later in the evening as a small treat.

We spent the rest of our afternoon wandering around Rotorua. There's not much to the village, but it felt like a really welcoming place and had some really cute buildings with decorative trims. Our first stop was Sulphur Point which overlooks the lake in Rotorua. There are some dangerous mud pools and hot water here, so it was important to not wander from the path. The water and mud were white and pretty reflective. Strangely, there were a bunch of seagulls on mud sandbars on the lake. Apparently the volatile environment doesn't impact them.

We walked to the nearby public park which is littered with little wooden fences around boiling pools of water and volcanic mud as well as steam vents. In the center of the park are some hot ponds with little ducks swimming on them and a cute little bridge across them. We continued walking around the park looking at all the different geothermal areas that are just here in the park where people walk normally with their children and dogs.

Also in the park are foot baths. These are built up, but use the heated water from the earth. They were a little bit busy with some tourists, but we found a spot to sit down and soak our feet. It was very relaxing and I didn't want to leave, but there were other things to do.

Our next stop on the way back to the car for dinner was the Pig & Whistle, a historic pub. The building was huge and beautiful. We got there in time for happy hour and enjoyed discounted prices on a couple of pints of locally brewed beer. It has become a bit of tradition to have a pint after a big hike as a little reward, and it was a pretty delicious pint. We were tempted by some other things on tap, but we resisted temptation and headed back to the car walking through some lovely lit up gardens on the way.

We made dinner and had enough internet to stream an episode on Netflix while we ate which was a nice touch. After to we cleaned up from dinner, we watched another episode before we got ready to head to the spa. At the spa, we were told which pools we had access to and made our way to the changing rooms.

The area we booked had about 9 different pools to choose from. One was a green colored mineral pool that was warm and made my skin feel very soft. The others were a mixture of alkaline and acidic pools of varying temperatures. The alkaline and acidic pools are meant to heal/aid different bodily ailments. The alkaline pools are fed from the Rachel Spring near the parking lot where we are camped for the night! It was dark, but the pools all overlook the lake that we walked around earlier in the day when we went to Sulphur Point.

We spent the next couple of hours bouncing from pool to pool at this historic spa. The water all felt so nice, and even too warm at points with the hottest temperature being 40C. We stayed in as long as we could before they were getting ready to close. A trip to the spa also meant access to showers which were much appreciated after the hike yesterday. We had a wash, and feeling warm, clean, and relaxed made our way back to the car and to bed.Læs mere