aratiatia rapids

623KimT

这里给我们留下了非常深的印象,因为大坝开闸的关系,所以山谷都蓄满了水。我觉得中间的观景台的视野是最棒的,不过更高的观景台可以看到更广阔的景观。不过大坝每天只放水3次,所以一定要注意时间,特别是更冷的时候。

PopFunk

很容易找得到,和其他游客一起看打开水坝门很是免费的(这在陶波是很难得的)而且很好玩。这里的景色太壮观了,而且远离交通流量。

Khootie

我们刚刚看完Huka瀑布后就开车来到了这里。夏天时每隔两小时这里就会把大坝的防洪门打开。我们在桥的下游等候,听到了警报声,然后看到了水慢慢朝我们涌来。看着水面漫过不同的“阶梯”,一个接一个,最后在我们脚下流过。水的力量真是惊人,看着也很带劲。值得一来,一定要带摄像机哦!

BrentP879

我们从胡卡瀑布步行到了激流处。广告说需要2个小时,但实际不许那么久。步行还可以,对于在哪里能够碰到新的桥通,我们感到很困惑。切记不要越过桥梁,一切都很好。急流景色壮观,在整个的水流中都没有太多的水。如果你比较快的话,你可以去两个有利的位置来观赏这景观。

MingHaoW

First time seeing a dry river get completely filled up. A mesmerizing experience indeed, watching the water fight to gush out into the river once the sluice gates are opened, becoming said Aratiatia Rapids. Only slight issue was that the road/bridge was built over the rapids, which means you'd only have a one-sided view at any one time (i.e. either you see the water flowing in from the sluice gates, or you see the river getting filled up, not both simultaneously). People were constantly crossing the road to get different perspectives.

Gazeaway

Walk to one of the viewing platforms for a spectacular view of the rapids created when the dam gate are opened 2 hrly 10am to 4pm. The power is awesome

938JaneD938

Worth waiting to see the sluice gates opening ( set times so easy to plan ) and the rapids transforming.

succulant

This is the 2nd time I've been (the first being 15 years ago) and I was keen to show my wife the dam being opened. It's still as spectacular as I remember it. Be there early to watch the trickle become a raging torrent of water. HINT - if you don't fancy the 10 minute walk up to the upper viewing platform then drive past the main car park and you will find another a few hundred yards further on that cuts the walk in half. Well worth seeing.

330SUSANH330

This reservoir and dam were worth visiting and the gates were opened every 2 hours from 10am. The resulting Rapids were spectacular and roared through the nearby gorge and countryside. Very impressive and it cost nothing!

Peter3152

Each day, at 10am, noon 2.00pm and 4.00pm the authorities release water…seems like a lake-full, from the reservoir and the gentle stream meandering through the gorge becomes a rapid raging torrent. It is truly spectacular and provides a great camera sequence for sure. A few well signposted kilometres downstream from Huka Falls, the rapids are definitely worth a visit and are also the site of the Huka Falls cruise ($37 for one and a half hour cruise upstream). Parking is easy for both attractions. A relatively easy 350 or 850 metre stroll from the main road there are two separate good safe viewing points, although the bridge itself provides for those unable to walk over the roughish terrain. Include a visit in your tour, and allow at least a half hour drive from leaving Taupo. Try to time it to coincide with the sirens sounding at roughly 8 and 4 minutes before the water is released; you will not be disappointed.

147trevorc

Watching the water raging through the narrow gorge is amazing. For the best experience make sure you get to the viewing platforms (5-10 minutes walk from the car park) before they open the gates so you can watch as the trickling stream becomes a raging torrent in just a few minutes. The waters are only allowed to flow for 15 minutes at set times during the day.

CPLOsborne

Free. Very interesting with great sights. Good way to fillover 30minutes of your time. You can see in the distance the huka jet plus huka cruise boat.

memee08

Stunning turquoise water gushing down the river when the gates have opened. Worth popping by at 10, 12, 2 or 4pm. Lovely walk along the riverbed to see the rapids from different viewpoints too - wear good walking shoes.

Johnandlinds

great to watch for adults and kidsdo not miss seeing thisreally spectacular and afterwards you appreciate what may lie beneath a river

AllanP382

When the Aratiatia hydro dam was built, my mother was appalled that a natural beauty would be destroyed forever. But the design was such that the rapids come to life at set times of the day as water is released down the spillway and into the narrow, rocky gorge. Best viewing is from the top lookout - accessed by taking a short bush walk to a viewing platform situated downstream but high enough so you can see the whole rapid below. There is a mid view point for those who cannot walk too far.Sad that my mother never did see the rapids.