After leaving there we drove to Waimangu Volcanic Valley arriving at noon. We decided that it was too early for lunch so set off. This area is also relatively new, the valley being formed in 1886 as the Tarawera Volcano erupted, the lake expanded to 20 times its original size and all plant and bird life was extinguished.

The Waimangu Geyser erupted from 1900-1904 and blasts from Frying Pan Lake, the largest hot water spring in the world, in 1917 created perfect conditions for plant and bird life to return.