Waiora Valley
visit the honeymoon pool
The exciting and unique valley of Waiora is situated on Thermal Explorer Highways 1 & 5, 7km north of Lake Taupo at Wairakei. The Waiora Valley's geothermal relevance is of cultural consideration for Maori, tourism, and geothermal energy. The commissioning of the Wairakei geothermal energy project in 1958, has sadly resulted in some of the geysers in the valley being damaged. Despite this damage, there are still many steaming vents, bubbling mud pools and hot springs to explore in this eerie and spiritual landscape.
The Waiora Valley is a 'wahi tapu', a site of cultural relevance, and was a route for Maori and traders who bathed in the healing springs.
The Wairakei Terraces is a new visitor attraction featuring man-made silica terraces, natural geothermal sights, and carvings depicting legendary figures, history, and culture. In the area once occupied by the natural flow of water, the man-made terraces are multi coloured by the waters of the steaming Alum lakes.