Waiotapu Thermal track
Track category
Short walk
Time:
2 min one way
Distance:
20 m
Description
This is the actual size of the Waiotapu
Geothermal track
This track is very short it is suitable for all types of fitnesses, wheel chair access is also available. No biking is permmitted on this short walk.
Getting there
Waiotapu Track is located 27 km (20 minutes drive) south of Rotorua off SH 5, turn left on Loop Rd opposite Waikite Rd for 2 km until you reach Waiotapu Track.
About the area
Waiotapu bubbling hot pools
Waiotapu thermal area covers about 18 kilometers square adjoining the Rotorua-Taupo main highway about 27 kilometers south of Rotorua.
Steam and gases rising through the pool create bubbles of mud that form and burst.
Waiotapu occupies the site of what was formerly the largest mud volcano in New Zealand.
The original cone, present until 1925, is now eroded and vigorously active water and mud fill the pool.
Plan and prepare
Caution: Geothermal hazards! The geothermal landscape is extremely fragile, and is also a potentially dangerous environment. Visitors should keep to the tracks. Hazards include falling through thin crust surfaces, being burnt by hot geothermal gases or fluids, and inhalation of fatal concentrations of carbon dioxide and sulphur gases.
Visitors to geothermal areas are therefore urged to:
- Keep to managed sites that are publicised.
- Keep to the tracks.
- Do not walk on silica terraces.
- Keep childern under close supervision at all times in geothermal areas.
- Do not pick plants
- Do not ride bicycles
- Do not drop rubbish or throw stones onto geothermal features.
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