It's All About The Journey

Tag: Geothermal Activity

  • Hot Water Beach

    Hot Water Beach

    The day we visited Hobbiton was another early start day. After the tour was over there was still a lot to get to. We were on a mission to get to Hot Water Beach for low tide to experience another unique geothermal activity.

    Hot Water Beach, its name comes from underground hot springs which filter up through the sand between the high and low water tidal reaches. Within two hours either side of low tide, it is possible to dig into the sand allowing hot water to escape to the surface forming a hot water pool. The water, with a temperature as hot as 64 °C (147 °F), filters up from two underground fissures located close to each other.

    Good explanation of what causes the hot water.

    We arrived in time and after renting our shovels we made our way to the beach.

    And then we started to dig! We tried a few spots, digging a few test holes, but only found cold water. As we were scouting a new spot to try a couple leaving offered us their hole, which had hot water. We were happy to accept. Our spa hole had hot water on one side and cooler water on the other so when they mixed it was very comfortable. I spent the next few hours happily digging (the sides kept collapsing) and soaking in the hot, albeit dirty, sandy water. Libby got a little bored and wandered off to the swimming area to play in the surf.

    It was really interesting watching as people dug their holes or passed them on to newcomers. We were all amazed how hot the water was and it was funny seeing a beach full of holes, full of people.

    Hot Water Beach
    My kind of beach…

    I was sad to leave our little spa of hot water but the tide was coming in and the holes closer to the shoreline were starting to wash away, ours would soon be gone as well. So we packed up and returned our rental shovels and drove the few kilometres to our campsite. We chose an ocean front campsite in Hahei which was within walking distance of Cathedral Cove, our final destination for the day.

  • Rotorua

    Rotorua

    So, after the unexpected detour back to Wellington and a lost 24 hours, we are back on track and headed to Rotorua. We had planned on spending two nights in Rotorua and will now have to miss some of our planned activities but we will do as much as we can.

    Rotorua, is a town set on its namesake lake on New Zealand’s North Island, and it is renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. We had planned on visiting a Maori cultural site but had to give that up. We also did not have time to do an excursion to a geothermal site but close to our campsite we were able to walk to some free geothermal ponds.

    The geothermal activity in the area is what makes the water green and the mud bubble and boil and steam come out of the ground. It also creates a very bad smell. Especially close to the water where the sulphur smell of rotten eggs is very strong.

    There are also many natural hot springs in the area which we were unable to explore but I did get to dip my feet in a shallow pool in the park. And our campsite had two natural hot spring tubs that we enjoyed in the evening.

    We enjoyed a walk around town and had a relaxing dinner on the aptly named Eat Street.

    Libby insisted on taking a picture of me by the Obsessive Coffee Drinkers sign. I don’t think I’m that bad, but I do insist on a morning coffee. And, New Zealand has some of the best coffee I have ever had. I started almost every day with a freshly made cappuccino.

    The waterfront in Rotorua.

    Our campsite had a jumping pillow. Still a kid at heart.
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