Week 19 - Back in the geothermal valley

Until Tuesday, we enjoyed the hostel with all its amenities. Our room was tiny, but the warm showers and the kitchen were great. We made full use of the kitchen and cooked meals that we wouldn't make in the van because they take a long time and therefore use a lot of gas. We had a tasty Swabian potato salad with vegetarian (and really expensive) sausages and a lentil stew.

Last week, we explored quite a bit in and around Taupo, and on Monday we did our last big activity: Mount Tauhara. The hike wasn’t too difficult; we took about 1.5 hours to reach the summit. From the top, there is a beautiful view of the surrounding area. As so often, we struck up a conversation with a New Zealander and spent the break in good company.

The view was better than ever on Monday, so we went again to the lakeside in Taupo. Here, you have a nice view of the Tongariro National Park, which we had already visited two weeks ago.

After checking out on Tuesday, we first went to the Aratiatia Rapids. Due to the dam located upstream, the rapids are generally dry. However, three times a day, the dam opens for a few minutes, and the rapids come to life. Before the dam was built, these rapids were considered the largest in Australasia. From the viewing platforms, we had a good view when the sluices opened, and the water made its way down through the gorge.

Afterward, we headed to Orakei Korako. Here is one of the countless geothermal and tourist activities in the area. At 51 NZD per person, it’s definitely not a bargain, but it's actually one of the cheaper options. From the information center, you take a small boat across the lake. Here begins a 2.5-kilometer loop trail over steaming streams and colored stones. A highlight is the 5-meter-high wall that glimmers white. Hot steam rises from all corners; there are a few geysers (sadly, we didn’t see one erupt), and you are really in the midst of it all. We really enjoyed it here.

As a guest, you can stay overnight in your van for free in the parking lot. With Wi-Fi and clean toilets, we really liked the site. Additionally, you have a great view of the outflow that ends in the lake.

The next day, we went to the highlight of the week: Hot 'n' Cold. This is a place where two rivers merge. The special thing: one river is cold and the other hot. And we really mean hot. The river is apparently around 40 degrees. Therefore, there’s a constant water vapor above the river. Because it is not a rushing river, there are natural pools and places to bathe. With an outside temperature of 10 degrees, we put on our swimsuits, got into the hot water, and settled into a pool. What a treat! The only downside was the sulfur smell, which dampened our joy a bit, but you can’t have everything ;) We actually didn’t want to get out of the water anymore, but after our fingers were all wrinkly, we headed back to the van.

Just 5 minutes away is Crater Lake with a view of the Rainbow Mountains. Franzi had been to their Rainbow Mountain in Peru, and since it really shimmers in all colors there, she had that expectation for this Rainbow Mountain as well. However, here there were only colors red and white. Still a beautiful view over the lake and the mountains!

We spent the night at the next lake at a campground and had a peaceful and quiet night.

The next morning we made our way to the summit of Rainbow Mountain. The hike was quite relaxed, and the view was beautiful. In the afternoon, we drove to Rotorua to the parking area in the city. Friday was bad weather, so we wanted to spend the day in the city, have a coffee, and use the Wi-Fi at the library.

We inherited sleeping bags from the previous owners, among other things. However, since we didn't like them at all due to their large pack size, Julian already made a sales ad on Facebook Marketplace a few weeks ago. And on Friday, we finally sold them and made 100 NZD profit. We treated ourselves to a pizza from Pizza Hut right afterward. The best and cheapest pizza in NZ. For 30 NZD, you get 2 huge pizzas with one “side” each. Since the 1.5-liter Coca-Cola has the best price-to-value ratio, we always take 2 bottles of Coca-Cola with us.

On Saturday, we walked around Blue Lake. With that name, we expected a special color, but that wasn’t the case. The water was very clear, and in summer, you can probably swim beautifully here.

We stayed overnight at another lake: Lake Okareka

This was a good starting point for our hike today. We walked part of the Tarawera Trail. After 8 kilometers, we turned around. The hike was really beautiful, the path was easily walkable, and there were always nice views of Lake Tarawera.

After that, we drove back to the campground from yesterday. Since it is a DOC site, we don’t have to pay for it (we have the annual pass).

Until Tuesday, we enjoyed the hostel with all its amenities. Our room was tiny, but the warm showers and the kitchen were great. We made full use of the kitchen and cooked meals that we wouldn't make in the van because they take a long time and therefore use a lot of gas. We had a tasty Swabian potato salad with vegetarian (and really expensive) sausages and a lentil stew.

Last week, we explored quite a bit in and around Taupo, and on Monday we did our last big activity: Mount Tauhara. The hike wasn’t too difficult; we took about 1.5 hours to reach the summit. From the top, there is a beautiful view of the surrounding area. As so often, we struck up a conversation with a New Zealander and spent the break in good company.

The view was better than ever on Monday, so we went again to the lakeside in Taupo. Here, you have a nice view of the Tongariro National Park, which we had already visited two weeks ago.

After checking out on Tuesday, we first went to the Aratiatia Rapids. Due to the dam located upstream, the rapids are generally dry. However, three times a day, the dam opens for a few minutes, and the rapids come to life. Before the dam was built, these rapids were considered the largest in Australasia. From the viewing platforms, we had a good view when the sluices opened, and the water made its way down through the gorge.

Afterward, we headed to Orakei Korako. Here is one of the countless geothermal and tourist activities in the area. At 51 NZD per person, it’s definitely not a bargain, but it's actually one of the cheaper options. From the information center, you take a small boat across the lake. Here begins a 2.5-kilometer loop trail over steaming streams and colored stones. A highlight is the 5-meter-high wall that glimmers white. Hot steam rises from all corners; there are a few geysers (sadly, we didn’t see one erupt), and you are really in the midst of it all. We really enjoyed it here.

As a guest, you can stay overnight in your van for free in the parking lot. With Wi-Fi and clean toilets, we really liked the site. Additionally, you have a great view of the outflow that ends in the lake.

The next day, we went to the highlight of the week: Hot 'n' Cold. This is a place where two rivers merge. The special thing: one river is cold and the other hot. And we really mean hot. The river is apparently around 40 degrees. Therefore, there’s a constant water vapor above the river. Because it is not a rushing river, there are natural pools and places to bathe. With an outside temperature of 10 degrees, we put on our swimsuits, got into the hot water, and settled into a pool. What a treat! The only downside was the sulfur smell, which dampened our joy a bit, but you can’t have everything ;) We actually didn’t want to get out of the water anymore, but after our fingers were all wrinkly, we headed back to the van.

Just 5 minutes away is Crater Lake with a view of the Rainbow Mountains. Franzi had been to their Rainbow Mountain in Peru, and since it really shimmers in all colors there, she had that expectation for this Rainbow Mountain as well. However, here there were only colors red and white. Still a beautiful view over the lake and the mountains!

We spent the night at the next lake at a campground and had a peaceful and quiet night.

The next morning we made our way to the summit of Rainbow Mountain. The hike was quite relaxed, and the view was beautiful. In the afternoon, we drove to Rotorua to the parking area in the city. Friday was bad weather, so we wanted to spend the day in the city, have a coffee, and use the Wi-Fi at the library.

We inherited sleeping bags from the previous owners, among other things. However, since we didn't like them at all due to their large pack size, Julian already made a sales ad on Facebook Marketplace a few weeks ago. And on Friday, we finally sold them and made 100 NZD profit. We treated ourselves to a pizza from Pizza Hut right afterward. The best and cheapest pizza in NZ. For 30 NZD, you get 2 huge pizzas with one “side” each. Since the 1.5-liter Coca-Cola has the best price-to-value ratio, we always take 2 bottles of Coca-Cola with us.

On Saturday, we walked around Blue Lake. With that name, we expected a special color, but that wasn’t the case. The water was very clear, and in summer, you can probably swim beautifully here.

We stayed overnight at another lake: Lake Okareka

This was a good starting point for our hike today. We walked part of the Tarawera Trail. After 8 kilometers, we turned around. The hike was really beautiful, the path was easily walkable, and there were always nice views of Lake Tarawera.

After that, we drove back to the campground from yesterday. Since it is a DOC site, we don’t have to pay for it (we have the annual pass).