"Whakarewarewatangaoteopetauaawahiao" Whakarewarewa by grets

Whakarewarewa Travel Guide: 10 reviews and 25 photos

Whaka for short, this is the largest and best known thermal actvity area around Rotorua. It is also a major Maori cultural area.

I have always be fascinated by unusual natural phenomenons, and really wanted to see the thermal activities here just outside Rotorua. It certainly proved to be one of the highlights of the holiday in New Zealand.

There is a strong smell of sulphur in the air - not surprisingly - but you really do get used to it very quickly.

The area is well laid out and you can walk amongst the geysers and bubbling mud pool, so close in fact that if you happen to be down wind during an eruption, you will get soaked!

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:Amazing natural phenomenon

Last visit to Whakarewarewa: Nov 1995
Intro Updated Sep 15, 2004
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Reviews (5)

What's in a name....? Things to Do (5)

Now there's a mouthful of a name! It actually means the coming together of the war forces of Wahiao. Allegedly. more travel advice

Natural Cooking Things to Do (5)

Just as we are leaving we come across a pool in which they are cooking corn on the cob. We try some - I am surprised to... more travel advice

Bubbling Mud Things to Do (5)

We also see the bubbling mud which is really quite weird. It reminds me about a book I once read - a true horror story... more travel advice

Thermal activity Things to Do (5)

It is amazing to think how thin the earth's crust is around here. Quite frightening if you dwell on it. I am fascinated... more travel advice

Comments (3)

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swings Nov 15, 2004 at 9:55 PM

I LOVE your mud picture! MUD... glorious mud...! Nice descriptions, too. We'll be going there next week, I hope! w
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CandS Sep 23, 2004 at 4:55 PM

Hehehe...now that makes my hometown Wagga Wagga not seem like such a weird town name! ;) Interesting page, thanks for sharing!
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kyoub Sep 21, 2004 at 2:31 PM

That name really is a mouth full but that would be better than bubbling mud. Great page ,Grets