Steam Stream
Our hometown of Taupō sits on a very active geothermal area which has both pros and cons. On the one hand, we’re regularly woken up by earthquakes (all relatively minor so far) while on the other hand, we have a steady supply of renewable energy and hot pools to swim in thanks to the overflow from the nearby geothermal power plant.
We found this particular spot just down the road from our house while doing a “I wonder what’s down there?” recce just off a popular cycle trail in the area. While the start of this stream is about a kilometer away, at this point the water is still almost too hot to swim in. It does make for a nice photo though.
Speaking of swimming, the same geothermal source that feeds this stream, also feeds nearby Wairakei Terraces. If ever you’re in the area and keen for a relaxing soak in a calm and tranquil setting, we highly recommend paying a visit. You can find out more at Wairakei Terraces.

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