Hells Gate

Oh my word, this was truly amazing!

In 1867 this was the first destination spa in New Zealand (that's what the sign said anyway!).

Named by George Bernard Shaw, this Geothermal Maori Reserve is huge. A collection of different pools which are thought to be caused by a magma spike that protrudes up from the earth's core! Mind blown! I wandered round in complete awe.

I sat quietly and listened to the noises that the earth was making. It felt like I was in another world.

At the end I was treated to a mud bath and a soak in the sulphur hot spa. A wonderful afternoon in an unbelievably beautiful place.Read more