Orakei Korako cave and thermal park

Orakei Korako is a great place to visit that we learned about from our Tongariro guide. We are glad we went there as it was on the way to Rotorua. It is a sacred Maori place where there are hot springs and mud baths. These are at boiling temperature. Many are used to cook food as you needed to only but good closer by for it to cook underground.

After buying the ticket from the visits center you take the ferry to the island.

Diamond geyser erupts every 2-3 hours but can be highly variable.

Looking out from the Emerald Terrace. 20 million liters per day flows across here.

A massive earthquake in 131 AD formed one of these 3 fault scarps in this park. These were caused by the eruption of Mount Taupo.

This silica stump is a remnant from the eruption and part of Maori legend of a monster who lived in the cave downstream.

The artist pallette was formed 8000 to 14000 BC. The batting thicknesses of silica as well as the chemicals allow varied algae growth.

Tree ferns.

The Riatapu cave is known as a sacred cave. This is one of two geothermally situated caves that exist in the world.

Active mud pools.

A lamington for dessert.

Now off to Rotorua where we will be for a day.