Уаи-О-Тапу (Вайотапу)
Wai-O-Tapu is a valley in New Zealand, an area of hydrothermal springs and nature reserves. Truly an amazing place that is one of the wonders of the country.
Highlights
The Wai-O-Tapu Valley is just a part of the whole giant Taupo Volcanic Zone complex, it is conveniently located in the center of the North Island and can essentially be called the natural center of underground forces.
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It is impossible to forget all the strange sounds that do not interrupt here for a second. All around gurgling, boiling, hissing, rising directly from the ground, associations with the kitchen, so you want to know what they are there for gourmet dishes cooked.
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The specific smell of sulfur and other elements will definitely be remembered for a long time, and when you smell it in any other place, you will remember only Vai-O-Tapu. It is worth being vigilant and careful here.
.Although this area is now open to tourists, but at every step there are dangers. A crater can form exactly where you step in. It is better not to take risks, but to walk on a strictly designated path and absorb the atmosphere of this amazing place.
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Tourists
The three-kilometer-long territory of the reserve possesses several treasures. The most famous are Lady Knox, a hot geyser, the “Champagne Pool” lake, which was nicknamed so because of the bubbles near the surface, and the “Artist’s Palette”, a body of colorful water.
If you come across a lake with greenish water, it is likely to have a lot of sulfur or iron compounds. Orange water in the “Artist’s Palette” eloquently indicates the presence of antimony. Purple is given by manganese, and silicon colors the water in milky white tones. The Maori Indians, who did not know all this, however, took lakes and geysers very seriously, referring to them simply as “Sacred Waters.”
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When traveling to Wai-O-Tapu, be aware that sandals are not the way to go. It is better to prefer sturdy sports shoes. In the summer time will not be superfluous headgear and a bottle of drinking water. Tourists are allowed to take photos, so bring your photo equipment in order before the trip. The shots here are very special.
.If you want to see Lady Knox erupt, get to the reserve early. The geyser “works” only once a day – at 10-15 a.m.
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It is better to come to Uai-O-Tapu for at least 2 hours, about this time you can see the most complete cycle of geothermal lakes and springs.
.There are no fish in the miracle lakes, but real tea trees grow along the shores. Now and then from some lakes hot splashes fly into the sky. It is the earth itself that heats up the groundwater. They absorb the minerals and a reaction takes place. It’s not possible everywhere.
.Wai-O-Tapu is one of the rare places where you can observe “living” lakes up close and at the same time from a safe distance.
.Ticket prices
An adult ticket costs 32.5 New Zealand dollars (~1,000 rubles), a child ticket costs $11 (~335 rubles), and a family ticket costs $80 (~2,450 rubles).
.Mode of operation
The reserve is open from 8-30am to 5pm, tourists are allowed in until 15-45.
.How to get there
From Rotorua, tourists are taken by sightseeing transportation. The town itself is equipped with an airport, which means that you can fly here directly from Moscow. You can arrange a transfer to the reserve from Rotorua by phone: 0800 000 4321.
.If you decide to get on your own, you will have to take the Thermal Explorer Highway, which is located between Auckland and Napier, south towards Taupo. At the Waiotapu Tavern you will need to turn left and there you will see a road descent to Wai-O-Tapu.
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