Caution: Geothermal hazards!

The geothermal landscape is extremely fragile, and is also a potentially dangerous environment.  Visitors should keep to the tracks. Hazards include falling through thin crust surfaces, being burnt by hot geothermal gases or fluids, and inhalation of fatal concentrations of carbon dioxide and sulphur gases. 

• Keep to managed sites.
• Keep to the tracks.
• Do not walk on silica terraces.
• Keep childern under close supervision at all times in geothermal areas.
• Do not pick plants.
• Do not ride bicycles.
• Do not drop rubbish or throw stones onto geothermal features.

Waiotapu thermal area covers about 18 km square adjoining the Rotorua-Taupo main highway about 27 km south of Rotorua. Steam and gases rising through the pool create bubbles of mud that form and burst.

Waiotapu occupies the site of what was formerly the largest mud volcano in New Zealand. The original cone, present until 1925, is now eroded and vigorously active water and mud fill the pool.