🇳🇿 Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley

One of the highlights of our visit to Rotorua on New Zealand's North Island was a trip to Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley is a geothermal wonderland known for its hot springs, geysers, and bubbling mud pools. It is part of the larger Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley and is home to the famous Pohutu Geyser, which can erupt up to 20 times a day, reaching heights of up to 30 meters. The valley has a rich Māori history, with the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people having lived in the area for centuries. The village of Whakarewarewa itself is a living Māori village, where residents demonstrate traditional crafts, perform cultural ceremonies, and offer guided tours, providing visitors with a unique blend of geothermal and cultural experiences. We also had the chance to try geothermal hāngi meals during our visit. Hāngi is a traditional Māori method of cooking food using heated rocks buried in a pit oven. The food is typically placed in baskets and wrapped in leaves or foil before being placed in the earth over the hot rocks. #hotsprings #100waysoftravel #newzealand #rotorua #whakarewarewa #geothermal #geyser #pohutu #tripblazers #hangi #hotspring