HELLS GATE, ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND

The Hells Gate geothermal reserve was formed approximately 10,000 years ago as a series of geothermal eruptions when an ancient lake drained to form lakes Rotoiti and Rotorua. The removal of the water caused faulting of the rock allowing the violent escape of steam, gases and hot fluids. Hells Gate is different from the other thermal reserves in the Rotorua/Taupo area, as its heat source is only 1.5 - 2kms below the surface whereas the other thermal reserves' heat source is approximately 10+Kms under the surface. The temperature of the pools and cliffs range from 68 to 380 degrees C.







The Sulphur Crystal Valley, is covered in deposited sulphur that condenses from the geothermal stream. The blackened areas highlight a unique phenomena - spontaneous combustion which occurs when deposited sulphur reaches approx 120 degrees C from ground and sun heat, ignites then burns at 380 degrees C causing silica rocks to melt and flow like laver. In this area you can feel the heat of the earth under your feet by touching the flat rocks in the paths which are always warm to the touch. So cool, or should I say HOT!



The outline of this pool imitates that of Australia, it's shape was not man made. Well obviously because they would have made a map of New Zealand NOT Australia. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the whole pool in the photo, if I'd stepped any further back; I would have ended up in a hot pool and been a deep, fried blonde. The temperature is approx 48 degrees C, which is lukewarm when compared with the rest of the park. Ahhh, maybe that's why it's a map of Australia instead of NZ. *giggles*

Many Australians have asked where Tasmania is and although invited to make a suitable hole, the offer has yet to be taken up. Too funny!




I recommend a visit to Hells Gate if you are ever in the area. It's a short, easy walk with fascinating history. Well, according to the brochure, the walk takes 45 mins but if you are KB and have to point at everything and have blonde moments, such as touching steaming rocks and exclaiming with surprise how hot they feel, it takes much longer. I could have stayed there all day. Well worth a visit.

On another note, I have discovered one of the reasons the rest of NZ loathes Aucklanders.

Hells Gate cashier - "Which country are you from?"

KB - "Auckland, I mean NZ."


Oh, you should have seen the look she gave me. Whoops!