Oh, New Zealand – what a wonder you are! I was fortunate to take a family holiday over Christmas in New Zealand, and am very keen to return, next time for a designated photography trip.

This is the first posting of what will ultimately be a series of approximately ten posts, roughly one for each day of our holiday.

Day 1 – Rotorua area (North Island).
We visited the stunning and amazing Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters) Thermal Area, and can wholeheartedly recommend including this on your itinerary. I have included images from the three primary attractions: the Geothermal Area, Lady Knox Geyser, and the Mud Pool.

I strongly encourage you to visit the Geothermal Area as soon as the doors to the Thermal Wonderland open in the morning because the temperature differential really allows for viewing more steam/venting. After you have enjoyed the wonder of the place, perhaps go explore elsewhere for a few hours, but ensure you return late afternoon – specifically to view the stunning colours of The Champagne Pool which show themselves as the sun gets lower in the west. I have included some afternoon images showing these almost unbelievable colours, which are a result of the mineral composition of the spring water, some of which are: gold, silver, mercury, sulphur, arsenic, thallium, silica, and antimony.

Before we get to the images of Wai-O-Tapu, here is a scene that captured my attention on our drive along the Thermal Explorer Highway…

Fence and Hill 2AM-000332. ©Andrew McInnes

Into Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland we go…

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Area 2AM-000102. ©Andrew McInnes

Devil’s Bath 2AM-000107. ©Andrew McInnes

Devil’s Bath 2AM-000325. ©Andrew McInnes

Devil’s Bath 2AM-000106. ©Andrew McInnes

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Area 2AM-000196. ©Andrew McInnes

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Area 2AM-000117. ©Andrew McInnes

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Area 2AM-000175. ©Andrew McInnes

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Area 2AM-000194. ©Andrew McInnes

On to my favourite feature – The Champagne Pool. I was fascinated and enthralled by it 🙂

The Champagne Pool 2AM 0301-0307 panorama. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000124. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000131. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000185. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000281. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool 2AM-004249. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000122. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000164. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000123. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000141. ©Andrew McInnes

The Champagne Pool 2AM-000138. ©Andrew McInnes

Next to The Champagne Pool is an area/feature named The Primrose Terrace, including warning signage.

The Primrose terrace 2AM-000297. ©Andrew McInnes

A boardwalk crosses the draining end of The Champagne Pool, and the evaporating water is rich in silica, depositing as silicious sinter – creating The Primrose Terrace feature.

The Primrose Terrace 2AM-000166. ©Andrew McInnes

A popular feature/attraction is Lady Knox Geyser, but I must admit I was somewhat underwhelmed, primarily because anthropogenic inputs are added to ensure the 10:15 am daily event. Nevertheless, worth a look.

Lady Knox Geyser 2AM-000221. ©Andrew McInnes

Lady Knox Geyser 2AM-000226. ©Andrew McInnes

On now to the Mud Pool. This is a small section of the feature shown here.

Mud Pool 2AM-004227. ©Andrew McInnes

Sometimes you see an “explosion”

Mud Pool 2AM-004120. ©Andrew McInnes

At other times a slow building of pressure…

Mud Pool 2AM-004163. ©Andrew McInnes

Which begets the following “burp”

Mud Pool 2AM-004164. ©Andrew McInnes

so many shapes…

Mud Pool 2AM-004184. ©Andrew McInnes

Mud Pool 2AM-004190. ©Andrew McInnes

Mud Pool 2AM-004211. ©Andrew McInnes

I hope you enjoyed, and are intrigued by the scenes in this posting.

Cheers 🙂