Earth's Color Palette: A Day in the Geothermal Wonderland

If you think geothermal landscapes are just smoky mud and the smell of sulfur, then you definitely haven't been to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland! Located on New Zealand's North Island, this iconic geothermal park is filled with steaming grounds, colorful lakes, and volcanic mud pools. It's like stepping into an alien world, yet so stunning that you won't want to blink. ⸻ 【Transportation and Tickets】 We departed from Rotorua city center and joined a day tour to get there, which took about 30 minutes by car—super convenient. If you're not driving, joining a local tour is the easiest option, as it usually includes transportation, tickets, and a brief guided tour. Tickets can be purchased on-site or booked online. It's recommended to start early to catch the morning highlight: the Lady Knox Geyser performance! ⸻ 【Top 3 Must-See Highlights】 1. Lady Knox Geyser Show (Starts daily at 10:15 AM) This is the park's only "scheduled" natural geyser eruption, happening once a day. By adding natural soap powder, volcanic activity is triggered, and the water column shoots up to about 10–20 meters high—truly spectacular! Arrive 15–20 minutes early to secure a good spot for photos. 2. Champagne Pool The most iconic photo spot! The pool's water temperature reaches up to 70°C, with bubbles constantly rising to the surface. The edges are lined with orange-red mineral deposits, contrasting with the greenish-blue hot water in the center, resembling a smoking cocktail—perfect for dreamy photos. Photo tip: Stand on the left side of the railing for a panoramic shot or focus on the mineral edges with steam effects. 3. Colorful Geothermal Lakes & Devil’s Bath Continue walking to discover various colorful geothermal lakes, ranging from yellow-green, pink-orange, deep brown to neon green. The most unforgettable is Devil’s Bath—a pool of unbelievably bright neon green water, so vivid it looks like it’s been filtered with high saturation. ⸻ 【Park Visiting Tips】 • The park's trails are well-designed, offering short, medium, and long routes. You can plan according to your stamina, and it takes about 1–2 hours to complete. • Essentials: Bring water, sunscreen, and sunglasses. The geothermal area is very sunny and has a strong sulfur smell, so be prepared. • For photos, wait in the steam for a while; once the vapor clears, you can capture the vibrant colors more clearly.