It is noticeably colder in Turangi than we have experienced so far in New Zealand.
We began the day with a drive around the volcanic loop which forms part of the thermal explorer highway. We captured some wonderful views of the three volcanoes: Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. They were absolutely incredible and we were very fortunate to have clear skies early in the morning.
Unfortunately the weather began to change and cloud moved over the volcanic zone as we ascended to Iwikau Village part way up Mount Ruapehu. We descended back to where the visitors centre was located and enjoyed a 6 kilometre walk to Silica Rapids, revelling in many beautiful landscapes and waterways, rock discolourations and quaint pathways. The walk to Silica Rapids took us past the Golden Rapids, the rich colour of which is due to mineral deposits, and some alpine bogs. The summit of Mount Ruapehu was obscured by cloud so we couldn't get the postcard photograph but it was a very enjoyable walk nonetheless. A little further down the road there was a short stroll to Tawhai Falls which was quite an impressive waterfall but no Huka Falls!
On the way back to circuit Lake Taupo I noticed some steam plumes billowing out from a fumerole on the side of Mount Ngauruhoe, reminding us that it's an active volcano that last erupted in the mid 1990s...
We revisited the hot spring we discovered at the end of the Huka Falls Spa Park walk yesterday in view of enjoying a hot tub in the morning before we go on a quad explorer safari! At 18:30 the hot spring was very popular indeed!
Tonight we stay in Taupo and our journey here from Turangi covered a distance of 307 kilometres.
Copyright 2002 Helen Fuller. All rights reserved.