Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua

Regarded as the most iconic feature of the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is the famous champagne pool known for its intricate mineral formations and vibrant colours. This is a massive circular pool measuring nearly 65 metres in diameter. Further, it features an orange-coloured rim built over the years by deposits of arsenic and antimony sulphides.

Because of the continuous effervescence of carbon dioxide bubbles rising to the surface, it is named the Champagne Pool. Inside the pool, there are crystal-clear turquoise waters, creating a vivid contrast.

Located within the confines of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, the Devil's Bath is a mesmerising geothermal feature known for its striking green hue. This neon-green pool is the result of a unique combination of minerals, including sulphur and ferrous salts, which impart a distinctive colour to the water.

Visitors can observe the Devil's Bath from elevated viewing platforms, marvelling at the otherworldly spectacle before them. The vibrant green waters stand in stark contrast to the surrounding landscape, creating a visual feast for the senses. While access to the pool itself is restricted to protect the delicate ecosystem, viewing platforms offer ample opportunities for visitors to capture photographs.

Another popular highlight of the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is the famous Lady Knox Geyser, which erupts every day and is a mesmerising display of natural hydrothermal activity. The place is named after the daughter of the New Zealand governor, Lady Constance Knox.

The eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser is initiated by the introduction of a small amount of soap into the geyser's vent. It lowers the water's surface tension and triggers a powerful eruption that reaches heights of up to 20 metres. Visitors can gather around the geyser's viewing area to capture photographs and videos of the erupting waters against the backdrop of the surrounding geothermal landscape.