Orakei Korako - the hidden valley

                                                                                                                                                           (click on any photo to enlarge)


Orakei Korako is situated on the Waikato River at Lake Ohakuri, which is a Hydro-Electric power plant. The name Orakei Korako can be interpreted as “Place of Adorning”. Maori women used the pool to bath and beautify themselves for ceremonies.


At present, there are up to 23 active natural geysers that play freely throughout the area. There is a vast number of boiling hot springs to view at Orakei Korako as well as mud pools and there are extensive bush walks to enjoy through areas of native flora and fauna.

The highlight for many visitors on the walk through the valley is the thermal Ruatapu Cave (sacred hole). The cave extends 120 ft down to a hot pool at the bottom named “Waiwhakaata”, which means "pool of mirrors".

A diary entry for the 11 March 1850 recorded that the Maoris lived in this spot “to spare their woman the trouble of procuring wood for fuel. They seldom light a fire; everything is cooked in the springs.”

The exact date that the Ngati Tahu people vacated Orakei Korako to settle elsewhere is not recorded, but it is likely that they left soon after the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886.

By the turn of the century, all but two families had moved from Orakei Korako.

The earliest known route from Rotorua to Taupo for early European travelers passed right through Orakei Korako.

The Maori people provided a dug out canoe for the river crossings. In the early 1900’s the geothermal area was already established as a visitor attraction.

A dug-out was used until the 1930's to transfer visitors across the then swift Waikato River. Afterwards, a wire strop and pulley system was placed across the river to make the crossing easier.

In April 1937, a Rotorua company called Orakei Korako Ltd obtained a 21 year lease with the right of renewal for another 21 years.

The road was improved for motor traffic and a punt was installed to transport visitors across the river.

Orakei Korako was officially opened as a tourist resort on 15 December 1937.

Scenes from the BBC Natural History Series "Walking with Dinosaurs" were filmed here. There are an abundance of natural beauty preserved by its isolation from the outside world - hence the description "hidden valley"

A hidden valley of color, hot springs, gushing geysers and breath taking natural beauty.The cave and thermal park now caters to a large number of both domestic and international visitors but the hidden valley still retains the beauty and serenity that it has always held.