Wai-O-Tapu, the Redwoods and the Spring Behind New Zealand's Bottled Water

Three stops that have nothing to do with each other, which is the point of the day. Wai-O-Tapu is the geothermal one. The mud pool boils in a crater left by an eruption, the Champagne Pool holds its colour, and fumaroles steam along the trails. At 10.15 the Lady Knox Geyser goes up 10 to 20 metres and keeps going for about an hour. Park staff start it with a surfactant, which is worth knowing before you watch. The Redwoods at Whakarewarewa were planted in 1901 and the ground trails through them are free. The elevated Tree Walk is not included in this tour: anyone who wants it buys a ticket on the spot while the rest of the group takes the forest floor. The Blue Spring at Putāruru is the one people have not heard of. Around 70 percent of New Zealand's bottled water comes out of it, the water holds 11°C all year, and it moves at 42 cubic metres a minute. The Te Waihou Walkway runs alongside the river to reach it. Tirau breaks the drive: the giant corrugated iron sheep and dog, which house the i-SITE and a wool shop, plus fifteen minutes for coffee. The day starts early. Pick-up at the SkyCity Hotel in Auckland CBD from 5.45am and the vehicle leaves at 6.00 sharp. On the way back there are drop-offs at the airport and the airport hotels as well as the CBD. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.