Orakei Korako

Orakei Korako also known as the Hidden Valley is a highly active geothermal area. It is NZ's largest geyser field and it's composed of naturally fault-stepped silica terraces. Some of the terraces are topped with black, green and yellow algae which grow in temperatures between 35 to 49°C. It also includes the thermal Ruatapu Cave which extends more than 35m down to a hot pool named Waiwhakaata (Pool of Mirrors). As you can see on the video there were also bubbling mud pools.Read more