Waimunga Volcanic Park


We drove the 20kms from Rotorua to Waimunga open-mouthed. The scenery is quite simply spectacular. As we approached the volcanic park it just got better and better. The highlight of a visit to this park is a boat trip out onto Lake Rotomahana to see the unique geological features that were created when Mt Turewera erupted in 1886. In order to reach the boat dock, the faint-hearted can take a bus. We chose to spend two hours walking down the slowly descending 4km track onto the valley floor and were rewarded with what must be one of the most spectacular walks anywhere. 

Bubbling springs, hot streams, craters, steaming mountain lakes and extraordinary vistas and scenery made this more than worthwhile. The weather too was perfect - sunny and warm in the low 70s with a gentle breeze.  After the boat trip the true adventurer can walk the 4kms back up to the top of the park. However as this is a climb of around 1,200ft, we joined the rest of the faint-hearted and climbed aboard the bus. I reckon this vehicle needs a new clutch every month!

New Zealand is everything we expected it to be - quite beautiful scenery, almost no traffic and relatively few people. The people we meet say that while it is very beautiful here on North Island, South Island is even more spectacular. We can't wait. For now the tranquil beauty of this volcanic valley with its lush dense forest, amazing plants and stunning scenery will just have to do.  The. boat took us into a crater formed during the last eruption. Beneath the boat sat 70ft of water; surrounding and above us the green forest walls rose 100ft and this corner crater within the lake was perhaps 500ft in diameter. It was formed in the space of 3 minutes in June 1886.  That's what I call a demolition team!   

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