Orakei Korako, New Zealand - A thermal wonderland

With a virulent virus sweeping the world, and New Zealanders unable to travel overseas for the foreseeable future, it is time to explore some of the amazing things our own country has to offer.  Despite having traveled extensively through New Zealand  over my lifetime there are still plenty of places I haven't been and Orakei Korako was one of them.  I had driven past the turn off on countless occasions but never taken the time to go down the road.  What a treasure I had been missing!

A misty morning in the countryside near Orakei Korako

Orakei Korako, translates as The Place of Adorning and is one of many natural thermal areas in New Zealand. Nestled on the edge of the man made Lake Ohakuri it boasts bubbling hot geysers, boiling mud pools, silica terraces of many different colours and a peaceful, unspoilt bush walk - everything you could wish for in a thermal park.

Looking across  Lake Ohakuri to the thermal area 

Located down a quiet, picturesque country road, 21 kms from the main highway, it is worth the drive alone. What a wonderful sight greets you as you  round a corner and suddenly there  before you are steaming cliffs beside a serene lake.  I was so taken by the sight I shouted "Wow!".   A boatman ferries guests from the visitor centre across the lake to the thermal valley, on demand. It is a very short trip, taking just a few minutes.

Cascade Terrace  Photo taken through the steam

The walk around the park can take between 1 and 2 hours.  I took my time, drinking it all in, relishing the marvels of nature, mesmerised by the geysers, boiling mud and hot gushing streams. The silica Emerald Terrace, the first sight you see, is the largest in New Zealand, 20 million litres of hot water flow across it each day depositing silica before gushing into the lake. This terrace will continue to grow with time as more and more silica is deposited.

As with all geysers timing is everything.  They can be temperamental and only put on a show when it suits them.  Fortunately for me the Diamond Geyser, with its steaming plumes of sparkling water, was doing it's thing.  Lucky me!

Left and right:
The colourful algae which thrives in the hot water










On Rainbow and Cascade Terrace hot water algae, which thrive in temperatures up to 60C, cover the terrace in an amazing range of colours of green, yellow, pink and orange.  The terrace is fed by hot water from Hotchstetter's Pool, named after an Austrian geologist who visited in 1859.

Passing through The Golden Fleece Terrace, named for the golden algae covering it, you climb up some steps for a spectacular view of The Artist's Palette. There is so much to see here you need to spend some time to take it all in. It is an almost flat silica terrace measuring 10,000 square metres boasting everything from geysers, silica terraces, multi coloured algae, boiling cauldrons of water and gas, and crystal clear  blue pools. Stunning!

When you can tear yourself away from this view you continue on to stroll past liquid clay pools.  Looking for all the world like great pots of  porridge you can become quite hypnotised watching them boil and plop satisfyingly.

Before making your way back to the ferry via a cool native bushwalk stop to admire the Soda Fountain Pool and Ruatapu, the Sacred Cave. 



At the ferry landing you push a button to alert the boatman who will come and collect you for the short trip back across the lake.

I have outlined just a few of the highlights of Orakei Korako, there are others. I was thrilled with my visit.  I had it all to myself until just before I left when a group arrived.  It was such a joy to wander and marvel in one of nature's wild but beautiful places. I intend to return another time instead of speeding past to get somewhere else.

I was very impressed with the care that has been taken to keep the reserve in its natural state. I have visited other thermal reserves in New Zealand and have found them more crowded and more commercialised.  Orakei Korako is in pristine condition with unobtrusive walkways and well maintained paths and tracks. It is a real credit to the guardians and managers of the reserve. I also found the staff friendly and welcoming.  I encourage you to visit if you haven't already done so, it really is a gem.

NOTE:

•  It is absolutely essential that you stick to the well marked walkways.  The water is boiling and lethal and the earth's crust is very thin in places. 
• There are a lot of stairs which are no trouble to most people but make the reserve unsuitable for wheelchairs or baby strollers.  Baby backpacks are available for hire.

       www.orakeikorako.co.nz

        All photos and videos on this page are my own