Craters of the Moon

Walk through a surreal, steaming landscape with Great North Tours at Craters of the Moon, an active geothermal field just north of Taupō. This otherworldly terrain emerged in the 1950s due to shifts in underground water pressure, creating a fascinating expanse of hissing vents, deep craters, and bubbling mud pits. An easy, elevated boardwalk trail allows you to wander safely through swirling clouds of sulphur-scented steam, offering a close-up look at the resilient native plants that have uniquely adapted to the hot, acidic soil. With its constantly evolving geothermal activity and hauntingly beautiful vistas, Craters of the Moon provides a quiet yet high-energy encounter with the raw, restless power that lies just beneath New Zealand’s volcanic crust.