Hell's Gate. Not a place that sounds very appealing at first. Well let's be honest. Your feet are 2.5km away from the Earth's hottest point, and Maori tribes used the hot pools to get rid of their enemies' body (complete disintegration through cooking which took just 2 days) back in the day.
With this gruesome introduction, let me take you through this 'Beast' of a geothermal reserve, extending over 50 acres.
During the early 1900's, playwright George Bernard Shaw visited the area and decided that the reserve should be known as the Gateway to Hell. He subsequently named a number of the hot pools (some, I admit with crazy names, such as 'The Children'). Although the English name was adopted instantly, 700 years ago it took the name of Tikitere. A young princess, Hurutini, threw herself in the hot boiling pools in protest of her husband's lack of respect. Her mother found her the next day, and cried out 'aue e teri nei tiki' - here lies my precious one, Tikitere.
Interestingly, it must be noted that although the pools are very close together, each have their own sources which vary in size, temperature and content. It is not impossible that a source of fresh water lies directly beside a pool of sulphur.
What is impressive about Hell's gate is its sheer rawness. There are so many different things going on too, proving an ideal name depicting its chaos. Features include mud pools, sulphur baths, hot lakes, mud volcanoes ..
Unsuspectingly, we arrive on a quiet forest path. We are now under Tane's watch, the red autumn tree shades reminding us of the inferno below. Kahahi Falls below is the largest hot water fall in the Southern Hemisphere. Its temperature is approximately 40 degrees, they were used by the warriors to bathe and cleanse themselves of the blood of battle when they returned.
Hell's gate gives us more information about its name:
'The full name of the falls is “O Te Mimi O Te Kakahi” which is translated into “the urine of Kakahi”. Urine is well known as a salve for scratches, although sulphur does the trick too.
The other reason why this site is of importance to Rotorua Maori was that the Tohunga or Medicine man for the tribe would bring the new born baby boys to these falls and dedicate the boys to the God of War. This ceremony which was very similar to a Christian Baptism took place in the hollowed area directly below the middle waterspout'.
Trying on the mud is our guide Ray, who never misses an occasion to entertain!
Fresh clean mud, black and white. Hell's Gate not only provides arthritis patients with their mud but have turned it into a fantastic beauty product including scrubs and masks. After a lovely walk I have a go at carving, but my attempt isn't too great, I have to give the Master Carver his own photo spot, he helped me finish my piece.
I decide it's time to relax, and what a better way to end your day by jumping into a mud pool and sulphur bath. It's hard being an explorer I tell you :-)
See the beast for yourself! The great team at Hell's Gate await you. Have a day like me through the Hell's Gate Special Combo. Take in the madness - then relax!
Ask 4SightSeeing for more details. Hell's Gate operate free shuttles to and from Rotorua.
Steph
