Day 6

 

Mud pools at Rainbow Mountain, in the Waiotapu region

Mud pools at Rainbow Mountain, in the Waiotapu region

We started our day in Rotorua at Lake Rotorua. We were very lucky to be able to see the steam rise from the lake in the early morning.  Shortly after, we stopped at Rainbow Mountain in Waiotapu that featured geothermal pools, vents and mud baths. This area has been used by a Māori tribe for over 750 years and has sustained the tribe for many generations. The Waiotapu geothermal systems had been one of the few systems that has not been damaged by human interference.

Students with McDonald family at Kairuru

Students with McDonald family at Kairuru 


Kairuru Polled Hereford entrance

Kairuru Polled Hereford entrance

The farm we visited today was Kairuru Polled Hereford, this beautiful farm is owned by Kevin and Jane McDonald. They kindly welcomed us in the house to have coffee, tea, and scones. Their farm focuses on breeding the best Hereford bulls that are sold to farmers to improve their mob genetics. Jane and Kevin put great emphasis on maintaining and improving the foot structure of their cattle. This is very important in New Zealand where cattle graze on rolling hills. Another physical aspect the McDonalds want to maintain in their bulls is the white faces, with dark spots around the eyes. Because of the intense sun in these parts, cattle need dark spots around their eyes, hooded eyelids and long eyelashes to protect their eyes. 

Calf Sale Barn at Kairuru Polled Herefords

Calf Sale Barn at Kairuru Polled Herefords


Yearling Herford Bulls at the Kairuru Polled Herefords Farm

Yearling Herford Bulls at the Kairuru Polled Herefords Farm.


They are hoping to host up to 80 buyers bidding on their bulls. Finally, we went to the calf sale barn that is also on their farm where many farmers contribute to the calf auction.

Huka Falls

Huka Falls


Huka Falls
Huka Falls

After the farm visit, we took a quick stop at Huka Falls. Where the Waikato River rushes through a ravine and the 100-meter-wide river is quickly narrowed into only 15 meters wide. Over 200,000 liters of water go over Huka Falls each second!

Lake Rotorua in the early morning. The heat from the geothermal systems cause steam to rise from the lake in the morning.
 

Lake Rotorua in the early morning. The heat from the geothermal systems cause steam to rise from the lake in the morning. 


After our brief stop at Huka Falls, we entered Taupo, a city of 26,000 people residing next to the lake of the same name. The lake was actually a caldera from a large volcano that erupted 26,000 years ago, but it’s dormant now. Our tour guides said that there is still plenty of geothermal activity deep under the lake, but there was nothing for us to worry about. Beyond Lake Taupo we could see the distant mountains where the Waikato River originates.

We all had a quick bite to eat before we boarded the bus and took a scenic ride through a national park, letting some of us see gorgeous snow-topped mountains for the very first time. There are three mountains within the park, the largest of which is 9,706 feet. The three mountains have individual names, but collectively they are called The Three Sisters.

We finished our beautiful ride by splitting into groups for overnight homestays.

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