TE TARATA, SIDE VIEW, SHOWING THE HOT BATHS.
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VI.
TE TARATA, SIDE VIEW, SHOWING THE HOT BATHS.
THE natural bathing basins of Te Tarata, as here represented, are of every variety of size and form, and differ in temperature; they may be chosen large or small, shallow or deep, or of any degree of warmth: on one terrace the visitor may enjoy a tepid bath; on another, one of a higher temperature, and so on to almost boiling heat. The basins upon the higher stages, nearer the crater, contain hotter water, of course, than those upon the lower terraces; some of the basins are so large and deep, that several persons at once can easily swim in them. The bather can have his choice; he must take care, however, to do so under the guidance of a Maori.
In ascending the steps of the terraces of the Te Tarata, one has, of course, to walk round the basins and step through the tepid water that flows over their edges upon the platform, but this is rarely above the ankle. During violent emissions of water from the crater, steaming cascades are pouring down. At ordinary times but very little water ripples over the terraces, and only the discharges on the southern side form a hot steaming waterfall.
Beyond the highest terrace is an extensive platform with a number of basins five or six feet deep; the water in them is of a temperature of from 90 deg. to 100 deg. Fahr. In the middle of this platform, close to the brink of the crater, is a sort of island rock, about 12 feet high, overgrown with manuka scrub, mosses, lycopodium, fern and other vegetation. This can be reached sometimes without danger; and from its summit the traveller has a fair and full view into the boiling and steaming cauldron.
Such is the famous Te Tarata, which is quite a unique object on the face of the earth. The pure white of the siliceous deposit, in contrast with the blue colour of the water, seen when the steam blows off, and the green reflection of the surrounding foliage and the intense red glare of the bare earth walls of the crater, surrounded by the whirling clouds of steam, afford a scene of unequalled grandeur and beauty. The scientific observer too may here collect an abundance of exquisite specimens of delicate stalactites, of incrusted branches, leaves, and other matters, for whatever lies upon the terraces becomes incrusted in a very short time.
