Snow-capped mountains, boiling mud pools and soothing hot springs make New Zealand’s volcanic zone a fascinating region to visit.
When a country is parked above the junction of two shifting continental plates you can expect the odd volcano. And so it is with New Zealand – the land of kiwis, the All Blacks and the occasional exploding mountain. But it’s these crazy tectonics that have helped shape our neighbour into one of the most wildly beautiful places on earth. For a tour of the volcanic zone you’ll need to head to the North Island.
When the clouds part, the view of Mount Taranaki is one of the most memorable sights in New Zealand. A classic cone-shaped volcano, it rises high above lush farmlands and, when you’re in its presence, it’s difficult to look away. So dominant is its snowy peak that you’re likely to find it’s photo-bombed most of your snaps of the area – dairy cows in front of Mount Taranaki, Mount Taranaki behind rustic barn, and so on.
If you’re feeling energetic, there’s a scenic walking trail that leads to the summit, but there’s no need to climb all the way to the top for great views of the surrounding countryside. Photos from here will probably be the only ones you take that don’t feature Mount Taranaki.
Generally, the mountains of fire are content to just simmer quietly and look stunning, but every now and then they can get a little grumpy. In the information centre beside Mount Ruapehu, a seismograph constantly monitors the volcano’s mood. This is important because after decent snowfalls, the slopes of Ruapehu become the Whakapapa and Turoa ski fields, and it’s handy to know whether to ski or flee.
While ski fields are often pictured as frosty wonderlands adorned with snow-dusted pines, this is a brutal, treeless landscape which filmmaker Peter Jackson had crawling with JRR Tolkien’s hideous orcs. In the off-season, you can still ride the chairlift up the boulder-strewn slopes to the towering, craggy bluffs near the summit, while intrepid hikers may wish to take a guided tour to the top for superb views of Crater Lake.
Just across the way is the impossible-to-pronounce Mount Ngauruhoe. See? The most symmetrical and eye-catching of the volcanos within Tongariro National Park, it has a long history of restlessness – although in recent times it has been fairly sedate. When drifting clouds are snagged by the volcano’s peak, there are few better photo opportunities. The slopes of the mountain are steep, but in the warmer months keen hikers make their way to the summit to peer into the scorched crater.
Where there’s volcanic activity, you’ll often find hot springs. Magma (molten rock) heats up groundwater, which then rises to the surface to soothe aching backs and rusty joints. In and around the town of Taupo there are a number of places where you can immerse yourself in these therapeutic waters. There are open, outdoor baths where people congregate to collectively ease their aches and pains, and there are also private bathing rooms where you can choose from a range of water temperatures. And, of course, all the additional treatments are available for a totally pampered experience. On a cool morning, there’s no better place to quietly dissolve.
Taupo is on the shores of beautiful Lake Taupo – the largest lake in New Zealand. It was formed millennia ago by a series of volcanic eruptions so violent they make Ruapehu’s thunderous outbursts seem like mild indigestion.
For a change of pace, head west to Waitomo Caves. Although some of the limestone caves contain magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, the main drawcard here is the larva of the fungus gnat, or glow-worm. Glow-worms emit a blue-green light to lure insects and deter prey, and when they amass in their thousands on cave ceilings, they’re like stars in the night sky. A river passes through the glow-worm caves and visitors can board a boat and glide quietly beneath these colourful galaxies.
Judging from the amount of steam gushing from the ground, it seems that the town of Rotorua is on high simmer. There are a number of thermal parks in the area, but one of the most spectacular is Wai-O-Tapu – home to just about every bizarre feature volcanism can cough up. There are kilometres of walkways meandering among smoking craters, as well as brightly coloured ponds such as the freakishly orange Champagne Pool. This is nature’s science lab and it’s the mixture of chemicals and minerals bubbling from the earth that dyes the landscape its many colours. Nearby is the mud pool where steaming mud splutters and gurgles like boiling chocolate.
The dynamic nature of this unsettled landscape makes New Zealand’s volcanic zone an exciting region to explore. As for the locals, they seem completely unfazed by their country’s rickety mountains; but remember, these are the folk who gave us bungee jumping and jet boats, so they’re not easily spooked.
Thinking of Travelling to New Zealand?
Book your New Zealand holiday through RAA for a range of discounts and bonuses. RAA’s expert travel consultants can help with coach tours, self-drive holidays, weekend breaks and snow and ski packages. Click here, call 8202 4589 or drop into an RAA Shop for more information.
RAA Escorted Rail and Sail to New Zealand
If you are looking to explore New Zealand on an escorted tour then why not join us for our 20 day exclusive RAA Rail and Sail holiday to New Zealand. Departing Adelaide on 12 November 2015 highlights include Auckland, Fjordland National Park, Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay. Click here, call 8202 4589 or drop into an RAA Shop for more information.
This Article was written By John Pedler, RAA’s expert travel blogger
‘This article was originally published in samotor – the RAA Magazine’.
