Today we headed off early to watch the Lady Knox geyser erupt (daily at 10.15am) and learn about the local geothermal landscape and thermal effects on the surrounding land. This happens at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland 20 minutes from Rotorua http://www.geyserland.co.nz/
This amazing place is thousands of years in the making at allows you to explore the geothermal landscapes and witness such amzing sights at the Champagne Pool (clear bubbling pool), naturally coloured pools, mud pools, steaming grounds and huge volcanic craters. The pools were amazing colurs due to the minerals that were in the water. It was an amazing place and one of only 4 areas in the world where you will see a landscape like it.
The park was well set up and very informative making for an enjoyable morning.
Drove on to Taupo, stopping at Huka Falls – torrents of water cascading down from Taupo Lake to a stream before spilling into a wider lake. The amazing force of the water turns the water a beautiful blue colour due to the levels of oxygen in the water.
Drive through Taupo, set around the lake fringed with lake view houses and some lovely cafes and restaurants.
On to Napier, quite steep mountainous drive, nice scenery of New Zealand natural bush and streams with pine plantations and grape vines as you get closer to Napier, which is situated in the Hawke Bay wine district.
Stayed at Kennedy Road Holiday Park, it was a good pick with close proximity to town, shops and it had great facilities for the kids including a jumping pillow, climbing equipment, swings, trampoline, heated pool and bikes for hire.
