December 6, 2022

December 6, 2022

We checked out and left Turangi, New Zealand heading north. The road follows the eastern shore of Lake Taupo. The large lake is the water-filled caldera of an ancient supervolcano. Just past the town of Taupo, we follow the Waikato River downstream and stop for a walk to Huka Falls. Here the wide river is forced through a hard volcanic gorge. The water is swirling and so blue from the minerals and bubbles.

Nearby we can see steam rising. This area is full of geothermal activity. We drive around the nearby Wairakei Power Plant. It has miles of piping that use superheated groundwater to drive electric turbines. Unfortunately they no longer do tours.

We continued our drive north along the Thermal Explorer Highway. We stop and do a short hike at the Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve. This colorful mountain is actually the side of a volcanic crater that is stained colors because of leaching minerals. There is a small blue lake at the crater bottom.

Only a couple miles away is Waimangu Volcanic Valley. We have lunch at their cafe before touring the park. A century ago it was the biggest draw in New Zealand because it had the world’s largest geyser and a beautiful set of hot spring terraces. Sadly these were lost because of the 1886 eruption of nearby Mt Tarawera. The park is ideal for weary hikers because it is mostly a downhill valley walk with return via a shuttle bus. The initial attractions are a couple large steaming lakes followed by an overflow stream. The small stream has colorful banks of stained silica formed from hot water percolating from the adjacent hillside.

Farther along the trail are several hot water terraces with ponds growing algae. The hot water allows different strains of colorful algae to form. I like the almost modern art look of this natural formation. This park is only mildly interesting to us. Once you have seen Yellowstone, which contains half of all the world's geothermal features, everywhere else pales in comparison.

The stream empties into a lake with Mt Tarawera in the background. Aimee and I decide not to take the boat tour of the lake where the historic Terraces once stood. Waiting for the return shuttle, we enjoy watching the many Black Swans on the lake. All of a sudden a chorus of croaking erupts from the lakeshore. It is very bassy and deep-throated. It has to be some monster frogs. Aimee and I scan the shoreline but cannot locate any of the dozens of voices. And then almost on cue, they all stop. This happens several times. Finally the bus driver arrives and he points out the culprits. Tiny green Australian Bell frogs with big voices!

Back at our starting point, we continue the drive north through mostly rural farmland. We make a stop along the way to photograph a pretty flowering tree, then we have to stop again to let a mother Magpie Duck with several ducklings cross the road. We end our day in the city of Rotorua.