Orakei Korako Hidden Valley Geothermal Walk
Cross by boat to the hidden geothermal valley of Orakei Korako, home to New Zealand's largest intact silica terraces and an extraordinary cave with a sacred pool.
- 1
Orakei Korako Ferry Crossing
A short jet boat crossing of the Waikato River reaches this hidden geothermal valley — largely unknown internationally despite being one of NZ's finest thermal areas.
- 2
Rainbow Terrace
The lower terraces shimmer with rainbow hues from mineral-streaked silica — some of New Zealand's best-preserved silica terraces, comparable to Yellowstone.
- 3
Aladdins Cave
A ladder descends into a silica cave containing a sacred pool of emerald-green water — Māori tohungas (priests) used this pool for ritual purification.
- 4
Artist's Palette Terrace
The upper terraces display extraordinary colour variations — white, cream, yellow, and green silica deposits laid down over thousands of years of geothermal activity.
- 5
Ruatapu Cave
The largest cave on the terrace contains a perfectly clear blue pool that never changes temperature — sacred to local Māori and named in ancient legend.
- 6
Summit Terrace Viewpoint
From the highest terrace, the Waikato River and surrounding bush are visible — the entire geothermal field is only 30 hectares but extraordinarily concentrated.