Sulphur Bay, Rotorua. North Is. New Zealand.
S 38° 08.400 E 176° 16.000
60H E 435737 N 5778397
Sulphur Bay is the southern-most bay on Lake Rotorua. It is a warm, sulphurous area lying on top of an active geothermal field.
Waymark Code: WMPABZ
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 07/28/2015
Views: 6
Sulphur Point lives up to its name, with some magnificent examples of steaming vents and boiling mud pools, sitting right on the shores of Lake Rotorua.
There is a walkway across this area starting near Amohau St. The signage asks you to please stay on the trail, the rock looks strong but in places is only a few centimetres thick. Large voids and scalding steam and water lie beneath the crust, making the area unstable and dangerous. Further around the point are boiling mud pools and sulphur vents.
The yellow and black colours in the rocks of this area are sulphur crystals formed from rising hydrogen sulphide gas. Black crystals are formed under hotter temperatures 112degC, yellow crystals at slightly less 98degC.
Grey coloured sinter rock formed from silica deposited by alkaline spring water that flowed over this area when the lake level was higher.
The milky colour of the water of Sulphur Bay is caused by the particles of sulphur suspended in the water. This sulphur has been produced by hydrogen sulphide gas rising from the lake bed.
The smells of Sulphur Bay and Lake Rotorua are from the sulphurous gases belched from the depths of the earth.
The sounds are from gases and steam bubbling and roaring to the surface through narrow vents and pools.
Parking and Walking Track: End of Amohau St. S 38° 08.380 E 176° 15.540
Waymark is confirmed to be publicly accessible: yes
Access fee (In local currency): .00
Requires a high clearance vehicle to visit.: no
Requires 4x4 vehicle to visit.: no
Public Transport available: yes
Website reference: [Web Link]
Parking Coordinates: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
No specific requirements, just have fun visiting the waymark.