Photo: Emerald Terrace Orakei Korako New Zealand

The wooden steps run alongside the Emerald Terrace at Orakei Korako near the town of Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand.

Orakei Korako near the town of Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand is an active geothermal area which is known for its sinter terraces. The terrace that sits at the lowest level, is the Emerald Terrace and is known to be the largest one around New Zealand.Visitors to the area can walk alongside the Emerald Terrace on the wooden boardwalk and have a close look at this unique region. The Emerald Terrace is made up of an array of colours; golds, oranges, whites, browns all mixed into a rainbow of hues.This is just the surface of the Emerald Terrace when in reality it continues under the lake for about thirty-five meters. This lake was created in 1961 for hydropower but this caused major problems for the Waikato River as it raised it up eighteen feet causing flooding over two thirds of the thermal area. When the rainy season hits the North Island of New Zealand, there can be as much as 20 million litres of water that is silica-enriched flowing over the Emerald Terrace into Lake Ohakuri. ... continue below the picture...

... The Emerald Terrace is just one of the many thermal areas to see while visiting Orakei Korako on the North Island of New Zealand. Other attractions are the Diamond Geyser, the Ruatapu Cave, the mud pools, the Rainbow, Cascade and Golden Fleece Terraces and the Artist Palette. All of these areas are worth seeing while visiting Orakei Korako on the North Island of New Zealand.Boardwalk alongside the Emerald Terrace at Orakei Korako, near Taupo, North Island, New Zealand.