New Zealand Road Trip #3 - Taupo, Otumuheke Stream, Aratiatia Dam, Huka Falls, Craters of the Moon

On our way to Taupo we stopped at Te Ponanga Saddle View Point with a view to Lake Taupo and Maunganamu Hill known also as Mosquito Hill. Views from Te Ponanga Saddle View Point were stunning. Shortly after Te Ponanga Saddle View Point we had another small break at a road rest area next to Lake Taupo. Then we drove to Taupo. We stayed in a former Spa Hotel which did not have the best reputation and is now rebranded to Grandeur Thermal SPA Resort located almost at the end of the Spa road. In the evening we walked to Otumuheke Stream known also as Spa Park Hot Pools which are nearby to Spa Hotel. First thing in the morning on 3rd of January 2018 we walked to Otumuheke Stream known also as Spa Park Hot Pools. Otumuheke Stream is a hot geothermal stream that flows into the Waikato River at Spa Thermal Park, providing a hot spot where bathers can relax in healing mineral water. The further you get from the stream the cooler the water as it mixes with the cold Waikato River which is New Zealand’s longest river. After Otumuheke Stream we went on a 3 hours long kayak tour on Lake Taupo. We booked tour with Canoe & Kayak company which cost 115 Kiwi Dollars per person which is not the cheapest thing but is worth it. The whole trip took about 4 hours including transport to the kayaks launching place.  Lake Taupo is the Largest freshwater lake in New Zealand with crystal clear water with a view to 3 live volcanos.  Kayaks Launching place was located in Jerusalem Bay which is easily accessible from Acacia Bay Road. We paddled up to Maori Rock Carvings in Mine Bay and back which is about 8.5km of paddling in total. We paddled to Ngatoroirangi Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings carved by artist Matahi Brightwell and his 4 assistants and completed in 1980. Carving is intended to protect Lake Taupo from volcanic activities underneath. Shortly after we left Maori Rock Carvings we had a small break on lovely rocks which were nearby. Lake Taupo was formed by a massive volcanic eruption some 26,500 years ago. After a short break we paddled back to kayaks launching place in Jerusalem Bay.  After a busy morning in Otumuheke Stream and Kayaking in Lake Taupo we went for a lunch to Paetiki Bakery Cafe in Taupo. Paetiky Bakery won couple of prizes for their pies and other products. After a short lunch we went to Lake Aratiatia also known as Aratiatia Dam. We took a few pictures of Aratiatia Dam and beginning of Aratiatia Rapids and then we went to short Aratiatia Rapids Walk which brings you to Lower and Upper Lookouts.  Aratiatia Rapids is one of the most popular natural attractions in the North Island. At Aratiatia the Waikato River falls naturally through 28 meters in the space of one kilometer. Thousands of litters of water are released from the Aratiatia Dam creating a spectacular flow of water through a narrow gorge. Last attraction which we visited on that busy day were Huka Falls.  A foot bridge right at the top of the falls puts you in a prime position to get up close and witness the powerful display of water blasting by.  The name Huka is the Maori word for 'foam', which is appropriate as the falling water and rapids certainly resembles foam, especially under flooding conditions.  The Huka Falls are a set of waterfalls on the Waikato River that drains Lake Taupo. At the top of the falls is a set of small waterfalls dropping over about 8 meters. The final stage of the falls is over a 6-metre drop, raised to an effective 11m fall by the depth of the water.  Huka Falls is one of the most visited natural attractions in New Zealand  After an early morning bathe in Hot Pools we went to Aratiatia Dam to see the gates opening. As the gates slowly start to open the water first seeps then rushes through and cascades downstream, completely transforming the stream within minutes.  To view the Aratiatia Rapids gradually filling up, make sure you arrive a few minutes before the dam is due to release.  Swimming is not permitted at the Aratiatia Rapids. Aratiatia Rapids is one of the two locations used to film scenes of dwarves floating down the river in barrels in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Another top rated tourist Attraction which we saw that day was Craters of The Moon. Craters of The Moon is geothermal valley hissing with clouds of steam and view cauldrons of bubbling mud from viewing platform. It got its name because of Lunar Landscapes and other-worldly atmosphere. In the 1950s a large area of land north of Taupo suddenly began to get hot and emit steam. Craters of boiling mud emerged, along with other geothermal phenomena. And so the Craters of the Moon was born.  Wooden boardwalks have been constructed to protect visitors from the heat of the soil and these are regularly moved as new vents emerge.  Craters of the moon has a wide variety of thermal features: Large craters, boiling mud pools, steaming trenches, roaring fumaroles and brightly coloured soil. After Craters of the moon we went for a short walk at Taupo lakefront