• Background & Quick Facts

    Background & Quick Facts

Our Background

About Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Created following the Mount Tarawera eruption in 1886, Waimangu Volcanic Valley is an eco-tourism experience featuring spectacular volcanic craters, enormous hot water springs, beautiful geothermal features, rare and unusual plant life, brilliantly coloured microbiology and a wide array of birds.

Amongst its many highlights is Lake Rotomahana, formerly home to the ‘eighth natural wonder of the world’ – the Pink and White Terraces, which were buried in the eruption.

Today, Waimangu welcomes visitors to explore its unique geothermal system on foot, or by boat, to discover its 22 volcanic craters, one of the world’s largest hot water springs and the site of the Pink and White Terraces.

Waimangu is owned by a partnership between Tūhourangi Tribal Authority and Te Puia NZMACI Limited Partnership.

  • Can’t recommend this highly enough. Our family of two adults and a 7, 10 and 11 year old absolutely loved it. The walk through the valley was gorgeous. The self guided map tour was awesome, our kids took turns reading the info at each spot. It was perfectly planned out with the walk down (we used the full two hours and had to power walk the last 15 minutes to make the boat), followed by the boat trip and then a ride back up to the top. The…

    Charlie
    New Zealand

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  • I honestly think my words can't do this place justice. It's breath taking, with flora that changes every 5 min. If you have the fitness ability walt the whole place on foot. You won't regret it. If you get tired they have buses. Amazing lakes and views you will never forget.Pack a picnic and some water and enjoy a day you will never forget. Plenty of benches to rest too. Take your time and son up every moment. Good for couples, families with…

    Yana

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  • We had a beautiful morning here. I love the sulphuric smell & the geothermal wonders. Volcanic activity is always interesting. The walk is perfect &…

    Karen
    Paddington, Australia

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  • As a geothermal geologist I have visited all the commercial geothermal tourist sites. Waimangu is my favourite. It has a beautiful natural setting walking down thru forests with a bus return uphill. Along the way there is steaming lakes, bubbling sulfurous hot water vents, mini geysers and waterfalls and some nice silica sinter…

    David H
    My favourite geothermal site in NZ New Zealand

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  • We had an absolutely amazing Sunday afternoon with our 3 girls at Waimangu Volcanic Valley! The views were stunning, the nature gorgeous and the staff fantastic! They went the extra mile for our little girl who had a fright on the boat before the trip started, and now all she remembers is the funny bus ride and chocolate ice cream. In the meantime mum and the other girls enjoyed the boat trip. Definitely to be recommended for anyone who enjoys…

    Lynn
    New Zealand

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  • Fascinating engaging and educational experience. We thoroughly enjoyed the walk which was on a warm day and in the sun... It is truly amazing to see how the valley has changed in just over 100 years, and the newly formed lakes are incredible. The whole team including the lake cruise made this a memorable experience. Highly recommended…

    Geoff W
    Fascinating trip through geothermal events happening live United States

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