Rotorua to Taupo: Geothermal Scenic Highway

Whakarewarewa Living Village is on the outskirts of Rotorua, State Highway five tempting you to pull over and explore. Check out where the locals live and how their lives have been influenced by living with active volcanic activity. For details check here Rotorua Whakarewarewa: an iconic living Maori village.

Tamaki Village is home to the people who invite visitors to experience a pre-European Maori  daily life, share a hangi (stone oven cooking) and enjoy traditional arts and crafts. While this attraction is primarily focused on the overseas visitor, kiwis can enjoy the sense of the familiar and feel right at home with a delicious hangi. And practice their haka technique. Tamaki Village is rolling out a wellness and bush experience which is keenly anticipated.

Waimangu Volcanic Valley is where the 19th century volcanic eruption of Mt Tarawera blew to smithereens the world famous pink and white terraces and obliterated entire villages.  Over a hundred years later the Waimangu Valley has extraordinary landscapes carved out by nature. The world’s largest hot springs, steaming cliffs and regenerating bush. Walk among evidence of a volcanic eruption.

Waikite Valley is a camping ground, hot springs resort together with short bush walks where occasional puffs of steam reminds visitors of geological forces at play. The ‘Living Waters’ of the Te Manaroa Spring – the largest single source of 100% pure boiling geothermal water in New Zealand is a great excuse to soak away office blues. Waikite Valley is part of the geothermal Rotorua experience, check here for more information Rotorua hot water pools & thermal waters.

Huka Falls has a well worn path to the stunning power of the Waikato River being forced between granite walls. The blue white foaming depths roar through the confined space dominating the landscape. Sheer awesome power is memorable with many visitors repeating the experience of watching the torrents spin, roll and surge past their feet on the viewing platform. Check here for best things to do in Taupo.

Steam hissing, swirls of mist, the place is fantasy come to life. Wairakei Geothermal Pipes is a great drive through activity where the commercial application of steam conversion into electricity is displayed with a maze of steamy pipes, often wreathed in clouds of billowing steam. An industrial plant is magically transformed into an otherworldly, atmospheric place.

Prawn Farm waterplay park is a great place for kids to indulge in all forms of water sport designed into an innovative water playground.

Craters of the Moon is a classic lunar fantasy that comes to life on SH5. The boardwalk is easily navigativable and the slightly warped nature of the timber framing points to the constant  geothermal activity very near the surface. There are excellent plaques describing the stunted vegetation that has adapted to the harsh conditions. The lack of trees or bushes of any height with vents of steam, boiling mud pools and streaks of mineralised coloured rock create a place where imagination is given a boost.

TIP

This route is easily driven in reverse from Taupo to Rotorua. Both towns promote the attractions with a total distance of 100km between all attractions encouraging families to establish a holiday hub while they explore the area.

Unique journeys, personal adventures