Orakei Korako is a highly active geothermal area most notable for its series of fault-stepped sinter terraces, located in a valley north of Taupo on the banks of the Waikato River in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. It is also known as "The Hidden Valley".
Geyser Valley was a spectacular attraction in the first part of the 20th century with tourists making regular trips to see the great Wairākei Geyser and Champagne Pool. These suffered as soon as the Wairākei power station began tapping underground fluids in 1958. Other springs soon disappeared, and by 2005 all that remained was steaming ground, renamed the Craters of the Moon.
These photos were taken in March 1960. For the photographers looking at this, all were taken on Kodachrome slide film, with a Pentax SLR, subsequently scanned to digital.
Geyser Valley was a spectacular attraction in the first part of the 20th century with tourists making regular trips to see the great Wairākei Geyser and Champagne Pool. These suffered as soon as the Wairākei power station began tapping underground fluids in 1958. Other springs soon disappeared, and by 2005 all that remained was steaming ground, renamed the Craters of the Moon.
These photos were taken in March 1960. For the photographers looking at this, all were taken on Kodachrome slide film, with a Pentax SLR, subsequently scanned to digital.
Entrance to Orakei-Korako thermal area.
Taken 2nd March 1960. Photo HT0007. f4; 1/30.
Crossing the Waikato River from the Orakei Korako visitor centre and road entrance to the thermal area. The boat is powered by the river current acting on control surfaces under the boat.
Note: This unique method of reaching the thermal area has now vanished. A hydro dam was built down stream and access to this area changed to by Jet boat from further down the lake formed by the dam.
Taken 2nd March, 1960. Photo HT0014. f5.6; 1/125.
Devil's Throat at Orakei-Korako.
Taken 2nd March 1960. Photo HT0008. f4; 1/30.
Oyster Pool at Orakei-Korako.
Taken 2nd March, 1960. Photo HT0009. f3.5; 1/30.
Elephant's Head - a petrified log at Orakei-Korako.
Taken 2nd March 1960. Photo HT0011. f4; 1/60.
The Golden Fleece Terrace at Orakei Korako. Formed by centuries of dripping thermal water.
Taken 2nd March, 1960. Photo HT0010. f6.3; 1/125.
The Emerald Terrace at Orakei Korako.
Taken 2nd March 1960. Photo HT0010b. f4; 1/30.
Artist's Palette at Orakei-Korako.
Taken 2nd March 1960. Photo HT0012. f6.3; 1/125
Champagne Cauldron at Wairakei Geyser Valley.
Taken 2nd March, 1960. Photo HT0015. f4.5; 1/125.
Satan's Little Garden, Wairakei Geyser Valley.
Taken 2nd March, 1960. Photo HT0016. f5.6; 1/125.
Weaping Waters at Wairakei Geyser Valley.
Taken 2nd March, 1960. Photo HT0017. f5.6; 1/125.
Great Wairakei Geyser. Not erupting at the time of my visit.
Taken 2nd March, 1960. Photo HT0018. f5.6; 1/125.
Boiling mud pool at Wairakei Geyser Valley.
Taken 2nd March, 1960. Photo HT0019. f4; 1/30.
A hot mud pool with traces of oil at Geyser Valley.
Taken 2nd March, 1960. Photo HT0020. f5.6; 1/30.
Champagne Cauldron at Wairakei Geyser Valley.
Taken 2nd March, 1960. Photo HT0021. f5.6; 1/30.
Champagne Cauldron at Wairakei Geyser Valley.
Taken 2nd March, 1960. Photo HT0022. f5.6; 1/125.
Dancing Rock geyser at Wairakei Geyser Valley. A boulder sits in the geyser vent and rumbles around. You can hear a rumbling sound as the boulder bounces about.
Taken 2nd March, 1960. Photo HT0023. f5.6; 1/125.