There’s a lot going on under the surface in New Zealand, and one of the island’s geothermal hotspots (in more ways than one) is Rotorua. Outside the city, Wai-O-Tapu (meaning ‘Sacred Waters’ in Maori) is billed as a ‘thermal wonderland’ – a theme park where the attractions are all natural, even though you sometimes feel like you’re on another planet. Walking routes around the park take you past bubbling mud, sulphur waterfalls, steaming vents and lakes in neon oranges, yellows and greens, given their colour by mineral deposits. Some of the highlights are the Champagne Pool, where tiny bubbles make it look like a huge lake of bubbly, and the Lady Knox Geyser. Though you need to time your visit well to watch her erupt – she only goes off once a day, at 10.15am, shooting out boiling water 20 metres into the air.
The details
Wai-O-Tapu is about a 20-minute drive from Rotorua. It’s open from 8.30am until 5pm from April–October and 6pm from November–March. Entry costs $32.50 NZD for adults and $11 for children aged 5–11.
Pin it
192 Comments
Anita Mac
July 9, 2012 at 1:07 pmAwesome shots. That colour is amazing.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 9, 2012 at 1:35 pmIt was a really strange place – hard to believe it all came about naturally.
develitestars
July 11, 2012 at 9:34 amya . . .its . . .really . . .amazing . . .
Andrew Petcher
July 9, 2012 at 2:30 pmLovely pictures – they remind me of Iceland!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 9, 2012 at 4:40 pmYes there’s definitely similarities to the landscape in Iceland – though it was a bit warmer, the only time I’ve been to Iceland was one November and it was freezing!
Karen Johnson
July 9, 2012 at 2:48 pmGreat shots!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 9, 2012 at 4:41 pmThanks, it was a great subject to photograph with all the strange colours.
UrbanBilingual
July 9, 2012 at 4:14 pmLooks like another planet… beautiful and scary!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 9, 2012 at 4:41 pmIt does! You really get a feel for how much is going on under the surface in New Zealand.
staceym
July 9, 2012 at 4:28 pmIt looks so beautiful, strange how predictable the eruption is.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 9, 2012 at 4:39 pmI just looked it up and apparently it’s ‘induced’ to erupt every day by putting soap in it – I feel a bit cheated now!
staceym
July 9, 2012 at 4:49 pmI suppose it has to be reliable for the tourists. Not quite sure I approve!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 9, 2012 at 4:55 pmMe neither! Very sneaky.
David
July 10, 2012 at 10:45 pmHi – I *THINK* it is mostly because they need to relieve the underground pressure in a controlled mini-eruption each day rather than run the risk of a uncontrolled ‘event’ that could be dangerous. Of course – can’t hurt as a tourist attraction either. 😉
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 10:51 pmDidn’t think of that but it does make sense, I might let them off then!
2 Rivers Photos
July 9, 2012 at 4:48 pmI thought it was Yellowstone National Park… nice to know there are other places in the world like that too!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 9, 2012 at 4:56 pmI really want to visit Yellowstone – it looks so amazing in photos. I’ve got a US trip planned for next spring so will have to try and fit it in.
fashionheaven04
July 10, 2012 at 8:18 amOnce again unbeliable!! Great looks and nice pictures! Perfect!! 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 10:05 amThanks, it’s worth a visit if you are ever in New Zealand!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 10:06 amThanks for reblogging!
seohunter
July 10, 2012 at 10:56 amYou are welcome Lucy 🙂 Keep Sharing…
Sinead
July 10, 2012 at 10:31 amIncredible pics, it really does look like another planet. I have a friend who just moved to New Zealand, I may tell him to check this out!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 11:01 amThanks, what you can’t see from the photos was the heat and the sulphur smells too which made it seem even more alien!
Minnie
July 10, 2012 at 10:51 amGorgeous pix, Lucy. I had relatives who lived near these springs, always wanted to visit but that’s now out of the question – so your photographs and descriptions are the next best thing: thank you!
My home used to be in the next county to your home one … Small world! Hope you continue to thrive on exploring it.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 11:03 amNice to meet someone from my part of the world! I really loved New Zealand – and what a great place for your relatives to live in – but it’s still always nice to be home too.
Remaja
July 10, 2012 at 11:20 amNice Article
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 5:08 pmThanks for visiting.
Imaginarium of Pau
July 10, 2012 at 2:02 pmInteresting post! Never knew a place like this exists. There are really lots of interesting facts and places in this place where we live in. I find it really awesome. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 5:08 pmThere are so many amazing places to see in this world, glad to introduce you to a new one!
dogheartbone
July 10, 2012 at 2:48 pmThese pictures are scarily amazing.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 5:07 pmThanks, it was quite an unbelievable looking place.
Justine Steventon (@juicyjuss)
July 10, 2012 at 3:19 pmLove this blog Luce – I visited the park about 6 years ago now and it bought back some great memories, New Zealand is a place that makes you really feel alive !
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 5:07 pmThanks Justine, it certainly does – the scenery down there is out of this world.
FNB
July 10, 2012 at 4:06 pmBrings back some great memories of my trips to NZ, it’s such a majestic place full of amazing colour and beauty. Great pics.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 5:06 pmGlad to bring back some memories – I’ve been enjoying revisiting my trip on the site, though is making me want to go back again.
Mikalee Byerman
July 10, 2012 at 4:30 pmWay cool — Mother Nature can be quite unpredictable, huh? 😉
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 5:05 pmIt can be a very strange world!
ChangeTheWorld
July 10, 2012 at 4:37 pmBeautiful shots! New Zealand is definitely on my bucket list.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 5:05 pmIt’s so worth a visit – hope you make it out there someday.
EricaFrances
July 10, 2012 at 4:47 pmBeautiful! Have you seen the pink lake in Senegal?
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 4:59 pmI saw a photo of it recently for the first time, an amazing sight, the colours there are even more unreal-looking!
SAKEE
July 10, 2012 at 4:54 pmRealy great colors.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 5:04 pmThanks, you have some really beautiful photos, I look forward to checking them out.
kaja
July 10, 2012 at 5:45 pmhow lovely! i have been there, too, and i was amazed at how sureal everything looked, despite its realness! great shots, make me want to go back! how long are you staying in new zealand?
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 5:57 pmIt is such a surreal place. I’m home now but had six weeks travelling around New Zealand – long enough to see a lot but not everything so there’ll have to be a return visit one day!
segmation
July 10, 2012 at 6:08 pmHi Lucy,
Awesome digital pictures! Can’t wait to see your shots when you return to New Zealand! What do you think? Love your blog!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 7:53 pmHi, I would love to go back to New Zealand some day – the travel wish list is so long though it’s hard to fit everything in!
Elena
July 10, 2012 at 6:39 pmwow! these are gorgeous and very unique
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 7:54 pmThanks, it was such an unusual place, so different to the green landscape you imagine for New Zealand.
fireandair
July 10, 2012 at 6:48 pmSo cool — looks like some of the places in Yosemite …
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 7:55 pmSo I hear, I am going to be in the States next spring so hope to make it to Yosemite then.
Sarah Doyle
July 10, 2012 at 6:52 pmThis is what I love about these blogs: getting to see things I otherwise wouldn’t even know exist! Thank you for these wonderful photos!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 7:55 pmThanks, glad to introduce you to this part of the world!
Dounia
July 10, 2012 at 7:01 pmAmazing landscape, it really does look like another planet! Great shots – thanks for sharing and congrats on being freshly pressed!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 7:58 pmThanks, it’s been a busy day! So glad to see so many new visitors and find all these new sites to check out.
iff28
July 10, 2012 at 7:41 pmAwesome!!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 7:59 pmThanks, it’s an amazing place.
Constance V. Walden
July 10, 2012 at 7:43 pmGreat photos. Thanks for sharing. Connie
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 8:00 pmThanks, glad you liked them.
Klangspektrum
July 10, 2012 at 8:04 pmYes, interesting impressions.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 11:00 pmThanks for stopping by the site.
Richard McCargar
July 10, 2012 at 8:37 pmCool photos, and congrats on being freshly pressed.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 10:52 pmThanks, it’s been great to share it with so many people!
Lizpawleyphotography.co.uk
July 10, 2012 at 10:22 pmVery nice! I’m visiting New Zealand in November, and spotting this on Freshly pressed made me have a quick look!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 10:49 pmHope you have a great trip – for a photographer it really is a dream destination, make sure you take a lot of memory cards!
The Vagabond Baker
July 10, 2012 at 10:35 pmYay, A freshly pressed that made me happy! Love Wai-O-Tapu. Amazing stuff 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 10:56 pmThanks, it’s a great place. Love your site by the way, I’ve just been drooling over some of the those cupcake photos!
The Vagabond Baker
July 11, 2012 at 8:22 pmwonderful! We spent 6 months living in NZ, Wai-O-Tapu was a top of the list place 🙂
EDGYMIX (@EDGYMIX)
July 10, 2012 at 10:52 pmOMG…you have 2 photos so similar to the photo on my blog!!! I swear I didn’t steal yours!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!! Well, we all went to NZ!!!
Cheers
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 10:54 pmHaha, I’m sure you didn’t! It’s a pretty iconic NZ sight, I remember seeing some photos before I went out there and thinking ‘I have got to see that’.
Nisha
July 10, 2012 at 10:55 pmWow! what a lovely place and what remarkable shots!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 11:01 pmThanks, it’s a great place to photograph – so much going on.
roo365
July 10, 2012 at 10:56 pmHi Lucy. I travelled around NZ for the Rugby World Cup in September last year & took a visit to Wai-O-Tapu. It was amazing to see what nature can do. NZ is such a diverse place, I loved it, and dream every day of returning.
Your pics are really cool, shows it off very well!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 11:03 pmHi, glad you enjoyed New Zealand – it really is so diverse, with such a mix of landscapes in a relatively small area. I’d love to go back sometime too.
finola
July 10, 2012 at 11:37 pmAh, I only got to see Rotorua itself – no car to go exploring and just a quick whizz through the place – but even the town itself had some pretty spectacular sights. After these pics, I think I’ll have to go back!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 10, 2012 at 11:54 pmI think I spent most of my time in Rotorua town in the hot springs, that geothermal energy comes in very useful!
diaryofdennis
July 10, 2012 at 11:53 pmFirst I thought this is from another Planet 🙂 Nice Photos!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:00 amIt is like you’d imagine being on Mars or somewhere to be – would make a great film set!
diaryofdennis
July 11, 2012 at 12:02 amYou´re right 🙂
redpoola
July 11, 2012 at 12:59 amseeing the photos makes me miss NZ more… i was just there for like 2 months and man, there are indeed lots of sheeps and horses compared to the human population 🙂 …
Wicked photos you got there.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:04 pmThanks, going through all my photos of the trip makes me want to go back too.
Donkey Whisperer Farm
July 11, 2012 at 1:14 amOne more place to add to the bucket list of vacations.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:04 pmIt’s always a long list, isn’t it? There are so many places I still want to see.
samokan
July 11, 2012 at 1:14 amBeautiful. Reminds me of the Seven Hells of Beppu, Japan. Will definitely add this to my travel wish list.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:05 pmI only had a couple of days in Japan and would like to go back someday, and will definitely check that place out.
samokan
July 11, 2012 at 1:02 pmYes its worth a visit. They also have a mud onsen(hot spring) there. Not to hot so people can actually go in and enjoy. 🙂
lizabethlacey
July 11, 2012 at 1:31 amGreat post- I also loved our visit there. Congrats on being Freshly pressed!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:06 pmThank you. Love your photos too, that one green pool looks almost fluorescent!
lizabethlacey
July 19, 2012 at 11:22 pmI know right?! Totally surreal…
h0tchocolate
July 11, 2012 at 1:36 amGreat photos! In Indonesia there’s also a place like that. Named ‘Kawah Putih’ or White Crater in Ciwidey, West Java. Perhaps one day you can visit there 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:09 pmI’ve not been to Java yet but will definitely look that up when I do, thanks for the tip.
darwinsinaga
July 11, 2012 at 1:52 amit’s really amazing… bagak hian puang
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:10 pmThanks, glad you liked it.
nohunt
July 11, 2012 at 2:32 amwarm!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:11 pmVery – the water in the Champagne Pool is apparently about 73°C!
wedgeintheround
July 11, 2012 at 3:04 amAwesome shots, Lucy! Fascinating!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:12 pmThanks, it’s been great to introduce more people to this great bit of the world!
angelfashion01
July 11, 2012 at 4:02 amWhat great pics – looks like a dream trip – i love your outfits as always
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:12 pmI had a fantastic trip thanks – more New Zealand posts to come too!
celastrina
July 11, 2012 at 4:09 amGreat photos – I live in New Zealand, and I think you did a great job of capturing the atmosphere 🙂 How’d you go with the smell? 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 11:59 amThanks, the smell wasn’t quite as bad as I expected, you did get a few wafts of sulphury steam though which wasn’t the nicest!
storyofalittleboy
July 11, 2012 at 5:41 amI live in Adelaide and have been meaning to go to New Zealand so many times. The images might just be the push.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:01 pmIt really it worth a visit – though I’ve got so much of Europe to see and keep travelling further afield, it’s easy to put off seeing things that are nearby (well nearby in terms of Australian scales of distance anyway!).
K Vijay Anand
July 11, 2012 at 6:32 amyou are very lucky to see the beauty of nature 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:01 pmThanks, places like this do make you realise how amazing nature is.
funnyphuppo
July 11, 2012 at 8:48 amOh, now I really want to visit this place. New Zealand uses Geothermal energy quite effectively, doesn’t it. Is there a power plant near this place?
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 11:58 amYes I think the area around Rotorua and Taupo uses geothermal power a lot. I’ve been to Iceland too and they make a really good use of it there too.
fashiontimes08
July 11, 2012 at 8:53 amso amazing!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:13 pmIt was a really unreal site to explore.
Áine Warren
July 11, 2012 at 11:27 amBeautiful photos. I was in Rotorua when I was a child, but I don’t think we were at Wai O Tapu. These pictures really make me want to go back with a camera!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:14 pmI’d seen a photo of it when I was researching my NZ trip and knew I had to go and see it – hope you make it back some day.
Áine Warren
July 11, 2012 at 12:23 pmThanks, I hope so too! 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:02 pmThanks for reblogging.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 12:02 pmThank you for reblogging.
bella
July 25, 2012 at 6:31 amno worries. i went to rotorua last year but never managed to capture such amazing shots 🙂
HeWritesOnePageADay
July 11, 2012 at 1:20 pmAmazing stuff. It must’ve been such a trill to see nature at its greatest. 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 3:38 pmThanks, I love to visit places like this – I did a geography degree and it really brings what I studied to life.
Matthew Wright
July 11, 2012 at 1:22 pmWhen I was a kid we used to go on family holidays to Rotorua – it’s about 150 miles from where I was brought up, in New Zealand. Always a special place for the thermal springs, but we never got to Waiotapu. I recall many others, though – some wonderful childhood memories. I was last in Rotorua about five or six years ago, briefly. I don’t know whether it’s simply the memories of youth, but it’s become very big and commercialised by comparison with what I remember.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 3:36 pmWhat a great part of the world to come from! Rotorua is pretty busy now, it’s gotten more famous and is very much on the tourist trail. It’s still a good place to visit but I imagine you’d find it’s changed a lot.
SongOf Creation
July 11, 2012 at 2:19 pmThe earth is always able to surprise us!! This is both beautiful and strange, absolutly awsome!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 3:37 pmVery true! It’s amazing to think about what’s going on in the ground underneath our feet!
Katie Raspberry
July 11, 2012 at 2:37 pmYou captured some interesting photos. I really do enjoy them.
Katie
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 3:40 pmThanks for visiting!
kamafitness
July 11, 2012 at 2:54 pmBeautiful pictures! The colours are awesome!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 3:39 pmThanks, they almost don’t look real do they? (no Photoshopping though, honest!)
thebigbookofdating
July 11, 2012 at 4:18 pmAmazing photos (:
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 7:06 pmThanks, it’s a very photogenic place!
thebigbookofdating
July 11, 2012 at 7:09 pm🙂
35andupcynicismonhold
July 11, 2012 at 5:16 pmwhat color, what richness! lovely, thanks for sharing… 😉
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 7:07 pmThe colours were so unusual, I couldn’t resist taking stacks of photos!
35andupcynicismonhold
July 12, 2012 at 2:46 pmyes, must be a case of nature doing what it knows best – to bring life while creating beauty… cheers to us! 😉
nokitchensink
July 11, 2012 at 5:59 pmWow! I did the Tongariro day walk last year and was blown away with the Emerald Lakes and Ngauruhoe Mountain, but this one, aah…this is even more amazing! The next time I’m in New Zealand, Rotorua will be my first stop! Thanks for sharing the pics!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 7:08 pmThat’s a really great hike too – the whole landscape in that part of New Zealand is spectacular.
Clàudia
July 11, 2012 at 6:08 pmAmazing place and shoots!!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 7:09 pmThanks, I’ve enjoyed sharing the photos!
Madhu
July 11, 2012 at 6:36 pmAmazing shots Lucy! So surreal and otherworldly!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 7:05 pmThanks Madhu, it was a really unusual place.
mamalaomaui
July 11, 2012 at 6:44 pmI was there five years ago and found it fascinating too! I hope you had a chance to sit in some of the hot springs while you were there, that was a nice treat 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
July 11, 2012 at 7:05 pmI did spend an afternoon in the Polynesian Spa in Rotorua, so relaxing soaking in the warm water in the sun!
Casey
July 11, 2012 at 10:02 pmGreat photos! So otherworldly – it must be something that’s quite amazing to see.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 12, 2012 at 11:42 amOtherworldly is definitely right, it’s such a change from the landscapes here in the UK.
Browsing the Atlas
July 11, 2012 at 10:27 pmI love the colors in these pictures. I hope I get the chance to visit this in person someday.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 12, 2012 at 11:38 amThanks, the colours are even more striking in person, hope you do get to make the trip one day.
backpackerina
July 12, 2012 at 1:25 amIt does look like another planet! New Zealand seems so beautiful, I can’t wait to visit it one day, thanks for sharing :)!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 12, 2012 at 11:40 amIt really is a beautiful country with so much to see out there.
Astrid | Pohutukawa PhotoGraphic
July 12, 2012 at 2:42 amNice photos, great study of the colours & weirdness of the pools.
Great to see this on Freshly Pressed, and to see so many comments from people saying they had no idea we had this kind of landscape in NZ – for a tiny country we’ve got an astonishing variety of beautiful landscape. Don’t take my word for it though, come and see for yourselves 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
July 12, 2012 at 11:41 amThat’s so true, New Zealand certainly packs an amazing range of different landscapes into a small area and I’m really glad to introduce this one to a few more people – hope to come back one day and see some more of the country.
accountkeepingplus
July 12, 2012 at 4:52 amI really enjoyed my visit to Rotorua’s Wai-O-Tapu over 10 years ago – your post has made me want to go again – congratulations on being “Freshly Pressed”. – Pam @ AKP
Lucy Dodsworth
July 12, 2012 at 11:36 amThanks – glad to bring back some good memories for you.
bentchilliphotography
July 12, 2012 at 6:53 amAwesome shots!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 12, 2012 at 11:44 amThanks for visiting, glad you liked them.
cartoonmick
July 12, 2012 at 7:30 amThanks Lucy. Great colours.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 12, 2012 at 11:45 amThanks, I’ve enjoyed sharing the photos.
theadventuresofadr
July 12, 2012 at 7:45 amI miss New Zealand so much. Did you try the luge there too?
Lucy Dodsworth
July 12, 2012 at 11:36 amI did! It was great fun and the views were fantastic too.
Sum
July 12, 2012 at 8:14 amI want to go there! I’ve been to Auckland once and I always wanna go back!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 12, 2012 at 11:37 amThere’s so much to see in New Zealand it’s definitely worth another visit.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 12, 2012 at 11:35 amHi, glad you like the shots and no problem to repost, thanks.
A Mom's Reviews
July 12, 2012 at 2:14 pmI went to Rotorua a few years ago, and I’ll never forget the smell! It took me ages to get the stench out of my clothes when I got home. The first time I washed them and put them in the dryer, the dryer seemed to amplify the smell and spread it around the whole house. i ended up having to get my mom to send over some scented dryer sheets from the U.S. which finally fixed that awful sulfur smell. Awesome pics by the way.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 12, 2012 at 2:17 pmIt is pretty pungent, especially when the wind blows the wrong way and you get the full head-on steamy sulphur smell! Luckily I managed to get the smell out ok though as wouldn’t want it hanging around!
140characterchristian
July 12, 2012 at 2:48 pmGreat pictures. Brings back memories of our visit there.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 16, 2012 at 11:02 amThanks – and glad to bring back some good memories!
ishg
July 12, 2012 at 3:24 pmI want to kick myself for not booking a trip to NZ yet! :p Can’t wait to dive into the rugged outdoors!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 16, 2012 at 11:01 amIf you like the outdoors and adventure then sure you’ll love it!
Rachael
July 12, 2012 at 6:51 pmA lovely trip down memory lane. Thank you!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 16, 2012 at 11:03 amThanks, I’ve been enjoying reliving my NZ trip, a couple more posts to come too!
writingforeverwherever
July 12, 2012 at 9:45 pmAmaaaaaaazing pictures.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 16, 2012 at 11:03 amThanks, glad you enjoyed them.
rinceagusgra
July 13, 2012 at 12:21 amYour photos are so beautiful and surreal! I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand. I think this just confirmed that.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 16, 2012 at 11:05 amThanks, and I hope you manage to make that trip to New Zealand!
Red Toenails
July 13, 2012 at 12:36 amLove it. Vibrant and beautiful.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 16, 2012 at 11:07 amI just loved the colours here, glad you did too!
Karen B. Jones
July 13, 2012 at 1:03 amLooks like Yellowstone. 🙂
Lucy Dodsworth
July 16, 2012 at 11:06 amSo I hear – makes me even more keen to visit there now!
Gerard
July 13, 2012 at 1:53 pmVery interesting! Thank you for sharing.
Lucy Dodsworth
July 16, 2012 at 11:06 amThanks Gerard, glad to share this part of the world.
ratchet7764
July 13, 2012 at 2:52 pmWow! So cool! These shots remind me of Yellowstone National Park. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to the next post!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 16, 2012 at 10:59 amI would love to visit Yellowstone National Park – I love these sort of landscapes and it looks spectacular.
marinachetner
July 14, 2012 at 3:31 amlovely shots as usual! And congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 16, 2012 at 10:58 amThanks Marina, it was a hectic day but great to be introduced to so many new blogs!
geoliterate
July 14, 2012 at 8:12 amIt is incredible the places that some lucky ducks get to go to. Especially when they tickle ones geologic fancy! These are beautiful pics, and evidence of our humble beginnings. One theory of life’s origins were that they started in a pool like this – all minerals and chemical reactions, and that electricity (ie. lightning) catalysed the building of amino acids – the foundations of life. To this day, there are extremophiles which live in these pools – bacteria which have developed a tolerance to hostile environments (like high temperatures and low pH’s) and flourish therein. Thanks for your photos Lucy! (ontheluce.com)
Lucy Dodsworth
July 16, 2012 at 11:00 amThanks for reblogging – and thanks for the geological background, it’s amazing to think how these things came about.
GalonTrip
July 15, 2012 at 7:13 ami’ve been to that place long ago and yes, they’re magnificent. as magnificent as your pics!
Lucy Dodsworth
July 16, 2012 at 10:50 amHope you enjoyed your trip there too!
Lara
July 21, 2012 at 8:04 pmI would like to visit this awesome place.
restlessjo
August 6, 2012 at 7:53 amWow- I arrive here as your 218th “liker” Lucy! And it’s no surprise with great posts like this one.
Lucy Dodsworth
August 6, 2012 at 10:06 amThanks’s Jo, this was on WordPress’ Freshly Pressed so I had a bit of a busy day! Back to normality now though!
restlessjo
August 6, 2012 at 2:45 pmDouble wow Lucy! Well done you. I don’t tend to look at them so often as WordPress opens automatically into Blogs I Follow. Belated congrats!
Ben
August 2, 2013 at 9:12 amWow, what a unique and fascinating place. Love the colours in your photos. The world we live in is so full of beauty.
Lucy Dodsworth
August 5, 2013 at 3:59 pmIt’s a mad place isn’t it – such a strange landscape it looks like you could be on another planet.
shaydaviau
September 11, 2014 at 9:13 amlove your blog!! you are so inspiring to other travel bloggers!
Lucy Dodsworth
September 11, 2014 at 9:59 amThanks so much!