Waimangu Volcanic Valley contains many thermal features, including a giant hot spring, hot creeks, warm rocks, and bubbling and steaming rocks. The park is organised as a mostly downhill walk with really informative intepretive signs along the way, as well has a 6 page pamphlet with further information about the geology of the area. The area was formed by a volcano in 1886 and further shaped by activity in the early 1900, and therefore has an unusually well documented history, which made for very interesting reading on the walk. We enjoyed seeing the bubbling and steaming features, the blue lake, and the giant hot springs. My only disappointment was that there was no geyser.

On this tour we learned about the volcanic valley that defined Rotorua. The tour consisted of a cruise around the lake, followed by a walk through the landscape to see geothermal lakes and streams. I’m glad we arrived around 9am. By the time we left, the attraction was crowded.

We only saw the first part of the walking trail, but it was amazing! Frying pan lake is huge and the wind stirring the steam coming off of it is mesmerizing Give yourself a good three hours to enjoy the whole walking trail. You walk down into the valley and a bus can bring you back up. But the bus runs every 50-60 minutes.

The hike is easy... All downhill or flat. There's a lot to see between the start and bus stop 1. There's not as much to see further along but it's still a lovely walk and worth it. The boat cruise is interesting but probably not worth doing on its own.