About | Waimangu Volcanic Centre
Come and see the world’s youngest geothermal valley and experience volcanic craters, huge hot water springs, beautiful and colourful geothermal features, rare plant life and an array of birds.
Go on a self-guided walk through this spectacular geothermal field and watch for geothermal activity. It’s mostly downhill and the scenery is diverse and awe-inspiring. Stop and take in the incredible sights of the winds shifting and moving the steam in all directions across Frying Pan Lake, bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, different and incredibly coloured lakes until you reach Lake Rotomahana.
You can go on a 45-minute cruise on the lake from here or jump on a shuttle bus and head back to the Waimangu Visitor Centre. Heading out on the lake you’ll get a full commentary from the skipper as you cruise along the quiet lake. Stop at Fumarole Bay where you can watch a geyser that goes off pretty consistently. Head to the front of the boat and enjoy the peaceful lake and views. This was once where the popular White and Pink Terraces were, before the Mt Tarawera volcanic eruption.
Make sure you grab a guide sheet at the Waimangu Visitor Centre, there are 39 points of interest that you can refer to and read up on. These are available in about 15 different languages.
Before you leave grab something to eat from the cafe or grab a souvenir from the gift shop.
Gloomy and cold days bring out the steam more and give the place a very dramatic feel so you can experience this in any weather!
Opening hours: The Waimangu Volcanic Centre is open daily 8.30am to 5pm. Last admission at 3pm.
Booking: though you don’t need to book if you’re just going for a walk, there are limited spots available on the cruise so you’ll need to book this in advance.
Want to learn more? Download the free Waimangu app. Available in English and Chinese.
What to bring: walking shoes, a camera, snacks and water. Check the weather and bring necessary gear e.g. rain jacket, sunscreen.
How long does it take? Highlights walk: 1 hour. Full walk: 1 hour, 45 min. Walk and boat cruise: 3.5 hours. Boat cruise: 2 hours.
Pushchair friendly, though it’ll need good sturdy wheels.
History
This was once a very popular tourist attraction and it once looked very different than it does today. Where Lake Rotomahana now is was once the Pink and White Terraces. It was also the location of the Waimangu Geyser, which was active from 1900 to 1904 and was once the most powerful and tallest geyser in the world.
All that changed on the 10th of June in 1886 when the volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera happened. It was the largest eruption to happen in New Zealand in 700 years and the largest eruption since the Europeans settled here. Volcanic ash and mud covered the land for kilometres around and was on average 20 metres thick. The hot volcanic ash took the lives of 108 people in seven villages around the mountain. Plants and animals were destroyed.
Since the eruption, the vegetation around the valley has slowly begun to spring up ranging from hot water-loving algae and native ferns and trees. From there, lots of native birds have also made this their home and you can find a big population of black swans down by Lake Rotomahana.
Later, in 1917, Frying Pan Flat erupted, therefore turning it into Frying Pan Lake. A guide and his wife and child lived at the Waimangu Accommodations House close to it. When it erupted, the roof flew right off the house and what was left was covered with sand sediment and steam. The burns from the steam killed the wife and child, and only the guide survived.
Nearby
Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve
Kerosene Creek
Hot and Cold
Location
Our experience
Between 1900 and 1904 people used to come here to see the largest geyser. The building on which the mural was painted used to be an accommodation house. The mural, painted by Marc Spikerbosch, shows what the geyser and landscape would have looked like. Pretty incredible, isn’t it?
Echo Crater and Frying Pan Lake
Frying Pan Lake is the largest natural hot spring in the world with a surface of 38,500 square meters (over 400,000 square feet). The average depth is 6 metres but it goes all the way to 21 meters in one spot. Surface temperatures are normally 55 degrees Celsius but can go as high as 67 degrees Celsius at times.
Hot Water Creek and Springs
Inferno Crater
The beautifully turquoise Inferno Crater is another favourite. The colour is just so bright and beautiful, it’s surrounded by a stunning cliff face and it’s swirling with steam across the surface. Make sure you don’t walk past it as you have to take a short side trail to reach it.
Mt. Haszard Hiking Trail
This track goes up, up and more up. Lots of steps.
Back on the nice and flat track, we come across lots of steamy activity.
Warbrick Terrace
Lake views & bird watching
Lake Rotomahana Boat Cruise
