Rotorua

On our way from Taupo to Rotorua we stopped off at Orakei Korako Thermal Reserve. We did an hour and a half boardwalk through the geothermal area where the BBC filmed 'Walking With Dinosaurs'. There were various geothermal features such as boiling hot mud pools, spurting geysers, caves, and the famous Artists Palette (see below).

It was a rainy afternoon so we relaxed our aching bodies in the campsite's natural hot mineral pools. The next day (although still rainy) we ventured out to Kaurau Park, the Government Gardens, and the small town of Rotorua before doing a nice walk around the Blue Lake and Redwood Forest in the afternoon.

In the evening we were joined by Daisy (finally) and enjoyed catching up and chatting with a few beers at the campsite. After a cosy nights sleep (three in a tent), we drove out to Tarawera Lake for a refreshing dip and a cup of coffee before saying our goodbyes. The lake looked beautiful now that the sun was shining... Next stop - Raglan!