Rotorua

Why is it famous?

The ground here is heated from deep underground, creating bubbling mud pools, steaming hot springs, and geysers that blast water high into the sky.

The most famous geyser, Pohutu, can shoot water up to 30 meters (100 feet) high, up to 20 times a day!

How did it form?

Rotorua sits on top of a huge zone of underground volcanic heat, so hot water and steam are always pushing their way up to the surface.

Minerals dissolved in the hot water create the pools' incredible colors — the Champagne Pool gets its orange rim from natural minerals painting the rock.

Amazing facts

There are over 500 hot springs and 65 geysers packed into this one small area.

The whole town smells a little like rotten eggs because of a gas called sulphur — locals just call it 'Sulphur City' and laugh it off!

Quick facts

• There are over 500 hot springs and 65 geysers packed into this one small area.
• The whole town smells a little like rotten eggs because of a gas called sulphur — locals just call it 'Sulphur City' and laugh it off!
• Māori people have used these hot pools for cooking and bathing for more than 600 years.
• The Champagne Pool constantly fizzes with bubbles of carbon dioxide gas, just like a glass of soda.