The central part of the North Island is volcanically active with hundreds of geothermal springs, mudpits, and geysers.  

The fields on the drive into Rotorua are literally venting steam from low spots and every house seems to have a geothermal heat pump and a smoking mudpit in the back yard. Although these bubbling mud pits stink of sulfur, it’s hard not to stare for hours at the bubbling mud.

 

Each pit has a slightly different viscosity and temperature, making the mud bubble in unique and interesting ways.

No two mud bubbles are identical, (like snowflakes, only muddier).

 

The biggest bubbling mud ponds had explosive steam venting through the mud.

It all looks oddly inviting, but there were barriers to keep the overly curious from getting scalded.

Lots of visitors ask if they can get into the boiling mud and the locals delight in telling them they can get in but they won’t get out.

We took a break from the mud watching to soak in some hot springs. There were dozens to choose from but our favorite was an undocumented (and free!) one known by the locals as “Hot and Cold”, at the junction of a cool stream and a hot one. We couldn’t get enough of this place,  it was the classic combination of a frigidarium and a caldarium right there in the woods. And as any plumber will tell you: Hot’s on the left, colds on the right.