New Zealand 3 - Thermal Area & Tongariro NP



7/3 Finally out of the winding roads

  • After 4 hours of mentally exhausting driving, we are finally out of the winding roads of the Coromandel Peninsula. Of course driving the "Thermal Explorer Highway" is still no comparison to  the U.S. interstates. 
  • As we came into Rotorua, we immediately noticed pots of steams filled the night sky all over town, accompanied by some sulfur smell. 
  • After checking into the hotel, the boys went straight to the hot spring swimming pool for a dip.

7/4 Holiday town of Rotorua

  • Well there are simply too many activities to do in and around Rotorua given it's the 2nd largest tourist destinations in NZ. Given the time constraints, we could only fit in a couple:
  • Wai-o-taup Thermal Wonderland - we saw the mud pool and Lady Knox Geyser at the entrance area first, then took a 90 minutes guided walk to see all of geological wonders in the area including some bubbling craters, mud pools, steam vents, and geysers.
  • Skyline Skyrides - Took the gondola up Mount Ngongotaha to the take in the awesome views of Rotorua. The scenery reminded me a lot of the Lake Tahoe. Boys tried some "luge" rides and had a great time screaming down hill and riding the chairlift back up. 
  • After a quick stop at the Information Center in town center, we headed to Taupo. Looks like our luck with weather is finally ended. Rotorua was under fog/clouds/steam all day.

7/5 More thermal exploration in Taupo

  • Before daybreak at 7am, LG went to the nearby famous Wairakei golf course to have a round of golf. We headed out after boys breakfast. After some photo stops along Lake Taupo and town center, we went on to see Huka Fall.
  • After reaching Spa Thermal Park, we started on the path toward Huka Fall. Quickly I realized it was too ambitious because the round trip will be 5.6km. We decided to turn around at the Steam Spa which was at the beginning of the path. Boys took off shoes and had a quick try of the warm creek.
  • Giving up on bush walking, we drove to the Huka Fall viewpoint few kilometers away. The fall isn't high at all, but certainly as spectacular and impressive. Here the Walkato River gushes through a 15m long gap before roaring over a 7m drop.
  • Honey Hive right across from the golf course. There is a display of live beehive and some interesting interpretive displays. Boys watched a long video about bees while I shopped for honey related products. We ended the tour by having some honey ice-cream by Kapati which supposedly is the best in New Zealand.
  • Craters of the Moon volcanic reserve, an easy 40-min stroll on boardwalk that took us through steamy billowing clouds and hissing escaping gases. We really feel as walking in some magical land. 
  • After leaving the volcanic zone of Taupe, we quickly entered the "Middle Earth" of the Tongariro National Park where the road crossed some high plateaus while skirting the three volcanoes of Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe, and Mt Ruapehu. The mountainous weather turned extremely windy and rainy while we arrived at the visitor center of Whakapapa Village. We end up taking a 20-min walk around Tawhai Falls before driving to Ohakune for the night.

7/6 & 7/7 out of luck for skiing...

  • Checked Mt Ruapehu's snow report first thing in the morning, unfortunately both Whakapapa (north side) and Taroa (south side) ski fields were closed again due to heavy wind and rain. Boys were all extremely disappointed unable to ski in the largest ski resort in NZ. Not knowing what to do around this region other than skiing, we went to the information center to find out.
  • Per suggestions, we walk around town, the Junction, and "Old Coach Road Walk" and "Rimu Track" around the town before taking the afternoon off to rest. Boys also tried some indoor rock climbing at "Vertigo Climbing" which was very popular in this ski-less weather. The place has many interesting climbs tailor for children.
  • The next day we were still out of luck for skiing on the north island as the weather wasn't cooperating. Nevertheless we wanted to check out Taroa ski field which is only 17km away from Ohakune. Only beginner's track was open, which didn't stop many enthusiasts to try. 
  • After the brief detour, we continued on SH49 to Waiouru which is home of the Army Memorial Museum. After a brief photo stop, we bid farewell to the "Dessert Oasis" and started long journey on SH1 to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.
  • Passed through seemingly non-ending fertile range and numerous cow and sheep farms, we finally ended up at the deep water harbour and Wellington City, which unfortunately was also under clouds and drizzles.

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