Champagne Pool: A Geothermal Gem in New Zealand’s Wai-O-Tapu Wonderland

The name Champagne Pool suggests a luxurious fountain of Dom Pérignon or a revitalizing mineral pool at a plush spa. However, New Zealand’s Champagne Pool is a sizzling volcanic hot spring crowned by a continuous row of delicate bubbles created by an endless stream of carbon dioxide. The Champagne Pool’s average surface temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which is, unfortunately, far too hot for a leisurely soak. Even though the Champagne Pool is off-limits to swimmers, the pool’s vibrant colors and dramatic, steamy surface still attract plenty of onlookers.

Located in the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua, the Champagne Pool is part of an expansive network of mud pots, geysers, and thermal pools formed in the wake of a massive volcanic eruption. The majestic Lady Knox Geyser is proof that geothermal activity at Wai-O-Tapu is still as lively as ever, with a daily eruption at 10:15 a.m. Visitors can view an impressive jet of water and steam that shoots nearly 65 feet into the air.

The Champagne Pool is one of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland’s star attractions, celebrated for its brilliant orange, green, and ochre coloration, resulting from mineral deposits such as gold, silver, and arsenic. Visitors are mesmerized by the Champagne Pool’s peridot green waters, punctuated by dainty bubbles. The Champagne Pool truly does look like a giant crater full of bright green bubbly.

Many visitors consider the Champagne Pool to be Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland‘s shimmering crown jewel. Visitors routinely lose track of time as they gaze into the Champagne Pool’s lively, colorful waters. Spending the day exploring one of Earth’s most surreal and captivating geothermal sites is just as good, if not better, than sipping on a glass of Dom Pérignon or soaking in a luxurious pool at a swanky spa.