Today was one of those days where New Zealand just keeps showing off and it’s just fine with us!
After a gorgeous sunrise over Rotoua Lake that we could see from our hotel window, we made our way to Wai-O-Tapu Wonderland, which is on the ancestral land of the Ngāti Tahu – Ngāti Whaoa iwi (tribe). Neon pools, bubbling mud, steam rising out of nowhere…it’s wild, colorful, and smells exactly like you’d expect (hello, sulfur).
The largest hot spring in NZ. This isn’t one you want to bathe in as it’s 165 degrees Fahrenheit! It’s made up of minerals like gold, silver, mercury, sulfur, arsenic, thallium, and antimony. How’s that for a geothermal cocktail?
Then we made sure to time it just right for the Lady Knox Geyser show, which erupts every day at 10:15 am. And yes, it’s triggered by eco-friendly soap (you heard that right), but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. A guide shared the history with the gathered crowd, and sang a beautiful Māori song as the geyser shot skyward right on cue, about 65 feet.
‼️ Food alerts – I had the best gluten free chicken bagel sandwich I have ever had at the Visitor Center Cafe. In addition, we finally tried Whittaker’s famous Peanut Slab bar. For all you chocolate fans—so good!
We continued our drive and traded geothermal energy for raw power at Huka Falls. And no, we did NOT raft over these falls! We hiked for a short 15 minutes and heard them before we saw them. The electric blue color is unreal! It comes from really clear water packed with tiny air bubbles created as the Waikato River is forced through a narrow gorge. The bubbles scatter the light in a way that gives the water that signature aqua color before it explodes out into a rush of whitewater. It’s loud, intense, and you can feel the force of it.
Next stop: Taupō.
And Lake Taupō is massive—like, “are we sure this is a lake?” massive because it felt more like an ocean! It’s the largest lake in New Zealand, over 238 square miles, which is 25% larger than Lake Tahoe in the U.S. We walked along the water, and grabbed a slice—the dessert, not the New York kind.
Traditionally eaten during an afternoon break, New Zealand slices are café-style treats. They typically have a buttery shortcake base with an assortment of toppings like chocolate, caramel, pistachios, etc. the 3 above are all Gluten Free❤️
Oh, and check out this airplane that is attached to the Taupō McDonald’s! Don’t know why but there’s a sign that they were voted the coolest McDonald’s in the world! 🌎
Then it was back on the road toward Tongariro. The drive itself felt like part of the experience—lots and lots of rolling hills, wide open landscapes, and views that never end. Every view is a photo opp!
We pulled into Tongariro around 4:00, and it was exactly what we needed. Cozy, simple, and quietly charming.
The star of the show was…well, the stars! 🌟 I could see the Milky Way with my visible eye. Minimal light pollution and the right season (March-September) helped. I count my lucky stars!
Tomorrow’s the big one. Stay tuned!
Christina’s Journey Journal 