Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Best one so far in terms of walk and sceneries. Luckily we did this one and skipped the most popular one (Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland). We going to use those savings on the spa. Haha... One way track of about 1.5 hours. Near end you return with bus. It is one of the youngest area where all these volcanic activities took place. Less than 100 years ago the geyser and volcano nearby erupted creating these cool landscape. Particularly the colours and patterns are nice to photograph.

11/10 one of the most amazing and spectacular places ive visited. The fact that you can get so close to the scenes is unmatched. There is a bus so fairly accessible for low mobility customers (with exceptions) Otherwise wow. Worth every penny. Come early, its a three hour walk.

Extremely impressed with every staff members level of service. Very professional & passionate. The views were the best around. We did the 1.5hrs walk and boat ride. Cafe food outstanding too.Thank you.

The Waimangu Volcanic Road, located in the Rotorua area on New Zealand's North Island, offers a breathtaking exploration of the region's geothermal landscape. This scenic drive is set within the world's youngest geothermal system and provides stunning views of steaming lakes, bubbling mud pools, and vibrant mineral formations. One of the most fascinating features of Waimangu is the Inferno Crater, which is known for its striking azure waters and the unique microclimate surrounding it. The area was formed by the volcanic eruptions in the late 19th century, particularly the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera, which is a significant event in New Zealand's geological history. As you drive along the road, you'll come across various lookout points that provide opportunities to take in the spectacular scenery. Wildlife is also abundant, with many birds thriving in the rich geothermal environment. Visitors can choose to either drive through or take guided tours that offer deeper insights into the science and culture of this unique area. The combination of natural wonders, educational experiences, and the captivating landscape makes the Waimangu Volcanic Road a must-visit destination for those exploring Rotorua. Overall, this road provides an unforgettable experience, showcasing the incredible forces of nature at work in one of New Zealand's most remarkable regions.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Waimangu, hiked down the valley to the lake, boat ride to view Tarawera from the lake, visit location of the lost terraces, bus ride back up the valley. Awesome day. Highly recommend.

Lucky for beautiful spring weather and early morning small crowd. Lovely moderate hike down to the boat dock with multiple documented view points of the steaming vents and springs in the valley along the way. Peaceful yet awesome views of what the 1883 eruptions did to the original valley and lakes and the vegetation that repopulated the valley. Ryan gave us a great commentary and boat viewing tour of the crater lake and its steaming vents - a must do to add to the hike. Bus options for those not up to the full hike.

A must-see experience! A beautiful walk through nature’s wonders — from emerald green to sky-blue pools, steaming geysers, and bubbling hot water you can actually feel beside the path. The smell of sulfur is strong, but it’s all part of the incredible experience. Absolutely worth it!

Fascinating and beautiful. Well organised. Great staff. Do all 3 walks (only about a relatively easy 3.6k) and the boat trip to complete the experience with a close up view of a geyser in action. A fabulous half day. Don't miss it.

Absolute must visit for us -- Maybe better than Yellowstone Drive to Lake Rotomahana. and be prepared for geothermal wonderland Well worth the drive and the time Geothermal areas are through out the north island, and this is one of the best

This is a must visit if you are in Rotorua! From the Inferno Crater, the Frying Pan Lake to the wetlands and Lake Rotomahana, Waimangu provides a primordial landscape-an otherworldly atmosphere! Huge ferns tower above you while bubbling craters and streams lead to wetland "jacuzzis" perfect for native and introduced birds such as ducks, geese and swans. There is a boat at Lake Rotomahana that ordinarily takes you to see other geothermal delights but it was under maintenance during our visit. You can contact Waimangu to see whether the boat is operational before booking your tour. The walk to the lake includes a nice ride back to the visitor center via bus. You can catch it at two previous locations along the way if you are not interested in the full walk.

Amazing sights await in this geothermal wonderland. We visited here after Wai-O-Taupo and while there a some similarities (including the smell of sulfur), it is worth a visit to round out your understanding of the areas geothermal past and present. Surprisingly this one is a bit more expensive but it too has some interesting sights. This region was formed relatively recently just in the late 1800s and has some fascinating sites. There are several options for touring walk, walk plus boat ride, but on the advice of our private guide, Martin of Martin's Tours & Transfers, we just did the walk to bus stop 1 after seeing most of the notable sights-perfect for people with limited time. Their is a set bus schedule so no need to walk back up, just catch a ride on the free bus. It was about 5 min up by bus from stop 1. The walk is mostly downhill and partially shaded so even in midday it wasn't too bad. It's still a good idea to have water and sun screen as the geothermal features crank up the temperature in the park. This park feature some great colored pools, steaming cauldrons and amazing sites. Definitely worth doing.

This is one of the most spectacular places I've ever seen. Seeing the earth literally living and breathing right in front of you was mind blowing. The pathway and trail is an easy walk for any level. Every turn is something even more fascinating than the last. The cashier gives a great map detailing each stop. There is also a phone app that has the information as well. We loved this valley and probably will never see anything like that besides here. Worth every penny and some. Memories forever.

For the winter ... Get there before 3pm! Sunset was around 5:15pm. Beautiful scenery! Would definitely go again :) excellent walking path and they provide umbrellas!

An absolutely wonderful place on earth. From the visitor center you can walk down on an easy walkway to Lake Rotomahana. On this way you will see a lot of fantastic geothermal wonders. If you are tired, you can get back to the visitor centre with a shuttle bus from the lake. This is a must do for every NZ visitor.

Shouldn't say that your park closes at 5:00 if you won't let people in after 3:30. It's not good business to turn people away who came from halfway across the world.