One of the highlights of my visit to NZ

This is an amazing place. You enter the small shop that sells food, drinks, equipment and souvenirs. After a short ride across the lake, you follow the paths around the very well signed formations.

It almost feels like you are on a different planet. We were the first ones there that day and we enjoyed the silence, preferring to listen to Mother Earth and the birds. The walk has parts that are a little steep but there are plenty of rest areas and a visitor can take their time.

There is so much to see, it is worth taking the time to see it all. The cave itself didn't have much water at the opening so didn't look quite like all the brochures not that this was an issue for us.

I particularly enjoyed taking photos of the mud pools with the mud bubbling up. The scenery surrounding us was spectacular as well as looking back over the lake. When we were finished, we didn't have to wait long for the small ferry to cross the lake. A wonderful experience of New Zealand's natural beauty close up.