Orakei Korako (also known as The Hidden Valley) is more remote than most geothermal locations in the Rotorua region. It is a 53-minute drive (67 km) from Rotorua, but worth the drive.
Take State Highway 5 and turn right onto Tutukau Road just before crossing the Waikato River. Follow Tutukau until you reach Orakei Korako Road, which provides access to the thermal area. You can take a boat from the car park to the steaming terraces on the other side of Lake Ohakuri, a hydro lake on the Waikato River.
The lake's formation raised the Waikato River by 18 metres, flooding two-thirds of the original geothermal area. But what survived is still stunning. It includes the largest silica terraces following the destruction of the Pink and White Terraces in 1886 when Mount Tarawera exploded. These terraces start with the Emerald Terrace, then several terraces with various kinds of coloured algae that grow in the heated water.
One of the most interesting features is the Golden Fleece Terrace. It’s 40 metres long and 5 metres high and covered in a white sinter coating. the Māori name is Te Kapua, meaning The Cloud.
There are also various geysers, hot pools, and the unique mirror pool cave, Ruatapu.
Like most of the best geothermal locations, there is an entrance fee, but we think a trip to Rotorua is incomplete without visiting at least one or two commercial options. A fuller list of locations can be found here.
