Skip to content


Waimangu Volcanic Valley, nr Rotorua, New Zealand

Fryingpan Lake

Fryingpan Lake

While in Bay of Plenty we took the opportunity to visit Waimangu Volcanic Valley, 20 minutes drive south of Rotorua.  We previously visited Taupo and whilst there visited Craters of the Moon and Wai-o-tapu, which we loved for it’s stunning variety of extraordinary geothermal landscape.

At Waimangu, which bills itself as the ‘world’s youngest geothermal system’ created as a direct result of a volcanic eruption – the Tarawera Eruption of 10 June 1886 – and part of a 16 km fracture that opened when the eruption occurred, there are a number of tours on offer and we chose the self guided tour.  Unprepared for how long it would take us we foolishly didn’t have any snacks or, more importantly, water with us as we set off on the 4km track, trying to beat the guided tour groups along the way!

Waimangu Volcanic Valley is the home of Inferno Crater, the world’s largest Crypto Geyser (geyser-like feature) which is the most amazing crystal blue and Frying Pan Lake, the world’s largest Hot Water Spring in terms of surface area.  Both are impressive.

Sulphuric Acid Geyser

Sulphuric Acid Geyser

Wai-O-Tapu

Wai-O-Tapu

If you enjoy walking then Waimangu certainly provides plenty walking through attractive native bush in between various geothermal activity and sites and offers lovely views over Lake Tarawera but, for me and the Kiwi, I feel that a visit to Wai-O-Tapu is more interesting, provides more stunning sights to see and results in a more rounded and satisfying visit!  If you can do both that is great, but if I had to chose one or the other I would go with Wai-O-Tapu… but that is just me!

Posted in Travel.

Tagged with , , , .