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Rotorua Geothermal Attraction, New Zealand

Waimangu Volcanic Valley Introduction

Our Rotorua geothermal attraction located at Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Lake Rotomahana is situated just 20 minutes south of the Rotorua township, or 45 minutes north of Taupo, in the North Island of New Zealand.

In 1886, Mount Tarawera in Rotorua erupted, and destroyed the surrounding area. The eruption opened the earth along a 17-kilometre line, splitting Mount Tarawera in two, exploding Lake Rotomahana to 20 times its original size, and forming the seven craters that today make up the Waimangu Volcanic Valley Rotorua attraction.

Today you can walk through the craters of this Rotorua thermal
park and take a boat cruise on crater Lake Rotomahana to view the amazing geothermal activity and very important botany.

Internationally significant features include the world’s largest hot water spring, silica terraces and the unique inter-relationship between two huge hot springs in Inferno Crater and Echo Crater.

Several endangered plants exist beside the geothermal activity together with a host of thermally adapted plants. This is one of the newest eco-systems in the world and is protected today as a scenic reserve and wildlife refuge.

Our on-site services at this stunning Rotorua thermal park include easily understood interpretation, full café food service, an excellent range of locally made gifts and an internal shuttle bus which returns you from the end of your walk and boat cruise to the valley entrance.

Walking and Hiking in Waimangu Volcanic Valley

At Waimangu there is something for everyone to enjoy. Our easy walking tours, mainly downhill and flat provide ecology-focused experiences through the craters of the beautiful Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

Our advanced hiking tours offer a wide range of volcanic activity, native plants and birdlife, but with steep hills with some rough ground underfoot, they do require good fitness

Arrive at our Visitors' Centre where we will give you options for your walk time and shuttle bus pick up. Allow from one hour to two hours for the walk and shuttle option.

Lake Rotomahana Boat Cruise

Lake Rotomahana covers 15 craters formed on June 10 1886, during the Tarawera Eruption. It has developed since then with little interference from man and combines history, volcanic scenery and natural beauty into a safe and tranquil, undercover, non-physical tour.

The lake cruise can be enjoyed either on its own, or combined with a walk in the Waimangu Experience tour.

Guided Tours in Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Should you wish to join a guided tour at Waimangu Volcanic Valley you can choose from three different tours ranging from two hours to a full day:

The Waimangu Experience tour will give you the complete story of Waimangu Volcanic Valley. As you wander through the valley's glorious bush, you'll pass fascinating craters, newly forming silica terraces and other geothermal features such as Frying Pan Lake, the world's largest hot water spring, and its mysterious companion, Inferno Crater. And you'll enjoy a cruise on beautiful Lake Rotomahana complete with a full commentary from your skipper.

Our Volcanoes and Rainforest tour through the Whirinaki Rainforest and Waimangu Volcanic Valley will take you beneath the canopy of an ancient rainforest, through a stunning volcanic landscape of steaming craters, hot springs and colourful silica terraces, and on to a serene cruise over Lake Rotomahana where you'll discover geothermal sights that can only be seen from your boat.

Our Geothermal Wonderland tour will introduce you to the world's newest geothermal system, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, created only 'yesterday' as a direct result of the 1886 Tarawera Volcanic Eruption, and to ancient Waiotapu where mineral deposits accumulated over more than 70,000 years, mud pools, collapsed craters and large beautiful terraces arising from Champagne Pool hot water spring are on display.

For further information about our Rotorua thermal park, please contact us or visit our Rotorua geothermal attraction Web site.

About Rotorua

Rotorua is one of the original tourist destinations in New Zealand—it has been welcoming visitors for more than 200 years.

From the moment people arrive in Rotorua they know they’re somewhere quite different. There is a scent of sulphur in the air. At nearby geothermal hotspots, there are spouting geysers, boiling mud pools and warm geothermal springs. Silica terraces are naturally decorated with a kaleidoscope of colours.

Rotorua is fast becoming known as Nature’s Spa of the South Pacific. After a hard day’s sightseeing or strenuous activity, visitors can relax with a soak in the healing waters of the geothermal hot springs, or totally unwind by choosing from a selection of therapeutic spa and massage therapies.

For further information about our Rotorua thermal park, please contact us or visit our Rotorua geothermal attraction Web site.

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