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Waimangu
Volcanic Valley & Lake Rotomahana are located 20 minutes south
of the Rotorua township, or 45 minutes north of Taupo, in the North
Island of New Zealand.
Waimangu
- Easy Walking
Waimangu offers a range of easy ecology-focused walks through the
craters of the beautiful Waimangu Volcanic Valley. The walks showcase
a wide range of volcanic activity, native plants and bird-life in
one of the newest eco-systems in the world.
There are a
number of easy walks available. In each case, your walk will follow
a predominantly downhill path. You can then take one of our courtesy
shuttle buses back up the valley to the Waimangu Entrance.
More Information
Children: 6-16yrs. under 6 Free
Open 8:30am
every day, Last admission 3.45pm (4.45 January)
Allow 1 hour for the shortest walk and up to 2 hours for the full
walk.
Lake Rotomahana
Boat Cruise
Lake Rotomahana covers approximately 15 coalescing craters formed
by the 1886 Tarawera Eruption. It took 15 years after the Eruption
to fill to its current height and is now the deepest lake in the
North Island. It is also the newest of all NZ’s larger, naturally
formed, lakes. The lake is protected as a wildlife refuge, and large
numbers of birds live here all year round. The lake and surrounding
land are protected from development, and will always remain as one
of NZ’s beautiful, unspoilt, natural, wilderness areas.
Patiti Island,
in the middle of the Lake, is currently being restored, by Waimangu
Volcanic Valley Ltd, to a predator free state and will become a
sanctuary for endangered NZ native birds.
The Boat Cruise
can be enjoyed as a safe, tranquil and easy adventure, by itself
or combined with the Valley walk.
More Information
Children: 6-16yrs. under 6 Free
Departs Daily
from the Waimangu Entrance at 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:50pm, 1:30pm,
2:25pm, 3:15pm (also at 4:10pm on Janurary)
History
In
1886, Mount Tarawera in Rotorua erupted, and destroyed the surrounding
area. The eruption opened the earth along a 17km line, splitting
Mount Tarawera in two, exploding Lake Rotomahana to 20 times its
original size, and forming the seven craters that today make up
the Waimangu Volcanic Valley.
Today
you can walk through the craters of Waimangu Volcanic Valley and
take the boat cruise on crater Lake Rotomahana to view the amazing
geothermal activity and very important botany. Internationally significant
features include the worlds largest hot water spring, sinter terraces
and the unique inter-relationship between two huge hot springs in
Inferno Crater and Echo Crater. Several endangered plants exist
beside the geothermal activity together with a host of thermally
adapted plants. This is one of the newest Eco-systems in the world
and is protected today as a Scenic Reserve and wildlife refuge.
Our on-site services include easily understood interpretation, full
cafe food service, an excellent range of locally made gifts and
an internal shuttle bus which returns you from the end of your walk
and boat cruise to the valley entrance.
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