To finish off our visit in the thermal area of the north island we visited Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland. We started our visit with a viewing of the geyser, Lady Knox, that shoots water and steam into the air up to 21m. And then walked the thermal park visiting the various thermal pools and fumaroles. Water temps can reach 80 degrees celsius and the various colours are introduced by the oxides (purple/magnesium, red brown/iron, yellow/sulphur). The pool that struck us the most was the devil’s bath, a greenish yellow due to the sulphur/arsenic mixture.

We headed from the thermal park to Taupo to explore the lake area and Mount Tongariro. The weather didn’t cooperate for a view from the chair lift however we did spend a few hours on the river rafting in grade 3 rapids. The run is about 2.5 hours with a stop at one point to jump off rocks into the river (no worries mum...all good). The water was around 8 degrees but they outfit us with all the gear to keep us warm and provided us with hot drinks and lunch after the rafting.

Leaving Taupo we headed back out the coast to Napier a small town in Hawke’s Bay. Our first day was rainy so we visited the museum to see the earthquake of 1931 exhibit, with stories from survivors, and the aquarium for the small penguins and sharks. There is a network of walking and biking trails in Napier and the surrounding areas which we took advantage of spending some time exploring. We head toward Wellington tmw...stay tuned!