Wairakei

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 370, 3 November 1932, Page 8

Wairakei

The one day Wairakei trip commands special attention bscause of the wide variety of sights ineluded in the tour. The journey there and back covers 120 miles, but is made under conditions of comfort that render fatigue impossible. The firstfifteen miles have already been cov1 ered on the Round Trip; thence the I car strikes into the very centre of | the Thermal Regions, and traverses j country that bears every mark of ! frequent and violent volcanic action. | Rainbow Mountain derives its name | from the irridescence of colour in I stone and sqnd that decorates its ! slopes, over 100 tints having been j distinguished. The vicinity of Rainbow Mountain is very active, the region meriting special notice beeause here the earth's crust is perilously weak and thin, scientists contending that the earth's internal fires approach within near distance of the surface. These conditions prevail over the wide extent of the Reporoa Plains, and although not spectacular, j are potentially dangerous. The first important sight to be gained as the car enters the Taupo district is the Aratiatia cataract, a whirling, foaming rush of water which exemplifies not only majesty, but strength. Nothing can resist a torrent of such magnitude, which the tourist views in perfect safety from a rock platform pitched in the very centre of the rapids, the water crashing and roaring at his feet. The Huka Falls j have been described as the pretiiest j sight in the North Island; the rush f of water along the rock chasm as j it approaches the falls, furnishing a j thrilling spectacle. The Waikato | River, perhaps the most ancieeit in j the world, flows through a gorge hol- j

lowed out in the 'course of ages to I an actual depth in parts of 150 feet. i Across Lake Taupo on a clear day j the three mountain ranges, snow-cov- | ered and of dazzling whiteness, stand | silhouetted against a background of f deepest blue. The mountains com- 8 prise the National Park, and include | the three famous summits of Tonga- 8 riro, Ruapehu, and Ngauruhoe. The last-named, Ngauruhoe, is in frequent j eruption, the cumulous black cloud of smoke standing in sharp contrast to the mantle of snow beneath. The j immensity of Lake Taupo can only be appreciated by a visit to its shores. It receives as tributaries the f waters of twenty-six rivers, the Wai- | kato River being the only outlet. j The Geyser Valley contains an impressive dlsplay of thermal activity. t Ineluded in the sights are Cham- j pagne Pool in violet agitation with \ intense heat, the Dragon's Mouth, the | Eagle's Nest, Pink Terrace, friry j pools in every hue, and geysers which jj play strictly to timetable. The di- I versity of sights and experiences on | this trip gives it premier place 1 among the world's great tourist attractions. J1 ■ P