Orakei Korako

Taupo's hidden treasures

You haven't seen the best of our geothermal parks until you've visited the valley of Orakei Korako — hidden from the main highways, 25-minutes north of Taupo.

This geothermal park and natural treasure is considered one of the best attractions in the world by international travellers.

Your trip to this protected wonderland on the shores of Lake Ohakuri starts with a boat crossing from the park's entrance and café/observation area.

Orakei Korako means "The Place of Adorning" and the natural colours and landscapes in this unexploited valley are remarkable — preserved over time by its isolation. It is so "lost in time" that scenes were filmed here for the BBC television series, Walking with Dinosaurs.

You'll enjoy the largest number of active geysers (35) of any New Zealand geothermal field, bubbling hot springs, boiling mud pools, and one of the world's largest silica terraces.

There’s also a lovely bush walk that ends up at the sacred Ruatapu Cave (one of two geothermal caves known to exist) where you can go descend to an incredible thermal mirror pool.