Rotorua and Waikato areas - Geothermal New Zealand
Central North Island is a fascinating part of New Zealand where active volcanos and geysers, boiling mud, and coloured pools of bubbling water produce the most intriguing landscapes.
It was the scenery of the Waikato area that inspired Peter Jackson to look for more locations within his country to film Lord of the Rings - this was the countryside he travelled through that reminded him of the Hobbits' Shire and the countryside they encountered as they left their home.
Image: Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand. Photographer: Peter Neal
Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe
Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe are active volcanoes, and Mount Ruapehu is the biggest volcano in New Zealand. Parts of both mountains (but mainly Mount Ruapehu) were filmed as "Mount Doom" in Lord of the Rings.Mount Ruapehu is North Island's ski field in winter. In summer, you can do a guided walk of 6 hours (specialised equipment required and can be hired).
Image: The perfect volcano shape of Mount Ngauruhoe, New Zealand. Photographer: Peter Neal
Waiotapu
Waiotapu is a geothermal park close to Rotorua with its biggest attractions being the Artist's Palette, the Champagne Pool, and the Lady Knox Geyser.The Artist's Palette
The Artist's Palette is an area of hot and cold pools of water affecting various deposits of minerals causing beautiful colour shifting and mixing of hues.
The Champagne Pool
The Champagne Pool is alongside the Artist's Palette and is a quietly bubbling pool - the tiny bubbles pop to the surface exactly like champagne. Surrounding the pool is a petrified (orange) layer of minerals, including traces of gold and silver, and also arsenic.
The Lady Knox Geyser
The Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at about 10:15AM, so plan your trip to arrive in good time. The eruption reaches a height of 20 metres.
Image: The Champagne Pool, Waiotapu. Photographer: Peter Neal
The Artist's Palette & Champagne Pool, Waiotapu
Rotorua
Geothermal adventure playground
Rotorua itself has plenty of geyser eruptions, mud pools, and other attractions that can be seen free as you're walking around the town.
Close to Rotorua is the Agrodome, which is a popular adventure and agriculture attraction. Here you can do the rides like the Zorb, Swoop, Shweeb, Freefall Xtreme, bungy, jetboating, as well as watching sheep shearing and seeing farm animals.
Close to Rotorua is the Agrodome, which is a popular adventure and agriculture attraction. Here you can do the rides like the Zorb, Swoop, Shweeb, Freefall Xtreme, bungy, jetboating, as well as watching sheep shearing and seeing farm animals.
Mount Taranaki
Lens content copyright © Elsa Neal, 2008.
Photographs copyright © Peter Neal and Elsa Neal, 2008.
All rights reserved.
Photographs copyright © Peter Neal and Elsa Neal, 2008.
All rights reserved.
