As we mentioned the other day, one of the reasons to visit New Zealand is that it has a very varied nature, being able to find really spectacular landscapes, such as the Tongariro National Park, the Waitomo Caves or Champagne Pool, a lake that bubbles like champagne, something that happens because the water is at 75ºC.
This amazing body of water is located in the Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park, in the volcanic valley Waimangu. Do you want to discover more details about this wonderful corner of New Zealand? Well you know what you have to do! Do not miss anything we tell you below!
Bubbly-looking waters
As we have just mentioned, New Zealand can boast of having a super varied nature. So, for example, you can enjoy numerous areas geothermal, although, without a doubt, the most famous of them all is the Champagne Pool, a natural hot spring lake located in a crater about 62 meters deep and 65 meters in diameter. As you may have imagined, the name honors the bubbling aspect of the water, whose surface is around 75º C and which, moreover, has a yellowish color reminiscent of a champagne glass. Of course, it is its abundant emissions of carbon dioxide that cause the water to be constantly boiling.
Bacterial life
As you can see for yourself in the images that we offer you in the gallery, the edge of this natural pool is tinged with orange. Why? Well, very simple! The many minerals found in the lake accumulate on the shore, obtaining an orange color with a certain grayish tone due to silica. Despite the fact that the water reaches a tremendously high temperature and the high compounds of arsenic and antimony, life has been discovered in the lake in bacterial form. The lake apparently formed around 900 years ago after a eruption hydrothermal that caused the birth of the crater. Therefore, compared to other thermal lakes, this one is quite new.
At a certain distance
Due to its high temperature, it is advisable to observe the lake at a certain distance. Of course, diving is completely prohibited, something that can be done in other thermal pools in the area. Of course, you will not need to bathe to enjoy the place, which is enormous beauty. It is important to note that a visitor center has been set up where excursions are organized and all information related to the area is disclosed.
Wai-O-Tapu
As we mentioned at the beginning, the Champagne Pool lake is located in Wai-O-Tapu, which in Maori means "Holy Water". It is a geothermal area located north of the Reproroa caldera in Waikato, a region 150 kilometers from Auckland. The Wai-O-Tapu geothermal area stretches for eight kilometers, in which numerous collapsed craters, pools of water and mud, and fumaroles can be seen. Highlights include the Lady Knox Geyser, which at 10:15 in the morning rises between 10 and 20 meters; and the Mud Pool, another lake located in a crater that is also boiling, among many other interesting places. Admission costs NZ $ 32.50, which is equivalent to about € 22.50. Then we leave you with our Gallery, where you will find more images of this spectacular lake located in New Zealand. Do not miss it!
Champagne Pool of New Zealand (April 2024)
- lakes, nature
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