Frying Pan Lake
What: Frying Pan Lake
Where: Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley, North Island NZ
Hidden within the surreal landscape of the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley, Frying Pan Lake isn’t just a scenic detour—it’s one of the largest hot springs in the world.
Formed after the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera, the lake sits in the Echo Crater, a name that hints at the geothermal activity bubbling just beneath the surface. As you walk through the valley, Frying Pan Lake stops you in your tracks: steaming water, gently rippling with gas bubbles, edged by mineral-rich shallows in earthy tones of yellow, green, and rust.
Despite its dramatic name, the lake doesn’t boil—but it does sit at a piping 50–60°C, and emits a constant hiss and gurgle that feels almost alive. This soundscape, along with the surreal mist drifting across the surface, makes it one of the most atmospheric spots in the region.
The walk to Frying Pan Lake is easy to access via the Waimangu walking tracks, which are part of New Zealand’s only hydrothermal system that can be followed from source to finish. Along the way you’ll pass otherworldly features like Cathedral Rocks and the vivid blue Inferno Crater Lake—making the journey just as rewarding as the destination.
Whether you're a geology enthusiast or just looking for something unlike anything else on earth, Frying Pan Lake is a stop that will stay with you.
