Explore a landscape that has been shaped and coloured by extraordinary volcanic and geothermal forces.
New Zealand straddles an active fault line where two giant pieces of the earth's suface are in a constant state of collision. In the South Island they meet and push upwards, creating the towering Southern Alps; around the central North Island, one piece is creeping slowly under the other, generating enormous amounts of subterranean heat and volcanic activity.
All around Rotorua, sneaky threads of steam drift upward from parks, river banks and drains. The unmistakeable scent of sulphur wafts through the air. Minutes from the city centre, geysers of boiling water roar from the ground and pools of bubbling mud gurgle and belch.
Geothermal and volcanic activity have sculpted the landscape in every direction. The many beautiful lakes are water-filled craters from violently explosive eruptions. Giant sleeping volcanoes rise all around and gently oozing lava has created conical hills and islands. Silica terraces and the edges of ponds have been beautifully coloured by minerals extracted from deep inside the earth by the rising superheated water and steam.
Since the arrival of the first Maori settlers, people have harnessed this vast renewable energy source for cooking, heating and, more recently, electric power production. You'll discover that a relaxing soak in naturally heated water is the perfect end to a day of geothermal exploration.
By Wendy O'Callaghan