White Island (or Whakaari as it was named by the Maori before Europeans arrived) is an active volcano and private scenic reserve accessible only by boat and helicopter. The island lies 48 kilometres off New Zealand's Bay of Plenty coastline.
It is unique in that visitors to the island can walk right inside its main crater just above sea level with a minimum of physical effort and without undue risk. This allows you to experience at first hand nature's immense power as gas and steam burst up from far below the Earth's crust.
The surroundings are quite surreal and the scenery spectacular. It is like walking on an active volcanic moonscape with no plants or vegetation inside the crater. The smell of sulphur and the noise of steam emanating from the many fumaroles both large and small makes for an amazing sensory experience.
Special Features
On the outer slopes of the island are large colonies of the majestic gannet. This beautiful bird nests and rears it's young here. The noise of these "rookeries" takes your attention as you approach the island and their presence is clearly marked like snow on points above the cliff-lined shores.
Site Description Mountain, Reserve, Volcano
Activities Boating, Walking
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Great in any season
New Zealand's trendy capital city - nestled between the stunning harbour and bush-covered hills - Wellington has a range of experiences for everyone.
