Wairakei Terraces

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Wairakei Terraces are a manmade creation of cascading silica terraces in blues, pinks and whites, fed by the steaming multi-hued waters of the Alum lakes that in turn have been created by a spectacular manmade geyser of superheated waters.

These Wairakei Terraces are attributed to the original ones that once existed here at Wairakei, and are reminiscent of the magnificent pink and white terraces that were destroyed in 1886 when Mt Tarawera suddenly erupted splitting the mountain in two and covering what surely was one of the great wonders of the world.


---Guided Tours
This guided tour begins at the Visitor Centre with a video about one of the worlds most extraordinary engineering feats, the generation of electricity using 'local geothermal energy'.

---Guided Tours of the Geothermal Field
After this, Visitors board coaches and travel a short distance to the borefield viewing point which overlooks the Waiora Valley, the geothermal field and 70 kilometres of thermal fluid pipeline. The geothermal field is entered at Bore 80 where visitors get a closer look at the wellheads, separators and flashplants.

The tour follows the steam pipeline to the Power Station where 192.6 mw's of electricity is despatched to the national grid. Power is purchased from the national grid to service New Zealand. Throughout the tour there will be commentary about Wairakei and how Maori relate to and value the geothermal resource for its healing properties and as bathing spas.

---Cafe
As part of our commitment to ensuring our visitors every need is catered for, the team at the Terraces Cafe offer a range of fabulous kiwi food, good ole home baking and beverages that reflect the special nature of New Zealand's freshest produce.