Situated almost 50 km off the Bay of Plenty's coastline, White Island (or Whakaari as it was named by the Maori before Europeans arrived) is New Zealands most active off shore volcano. But don't worry, the constant rumblings and large plume of steam do not mean that the island is about to explode.
It's a small island of 324 hectares, formed by three separate volcanic cones, all of different ages. Erosion has worn away most of the surface of the two oldest cones and the youngest cone, which rose between the two older ones, now occupies most of the centre of White Island.
The scenery of this privately owned island is spectacular. The island is only accessible from Whakatane and Rotorua by boat, floatplane or helicopter. White Island is well worth a visit, as the surrounding are so surreal you think you are walking on the moon.
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The abandoned sulphur mine is a special feature of White Island. Several companies have mined for sulphur on White Island since the late 1800's but unfortunately, not one of them was very successful at it.
Companies got struck by personal or financial disaster every time an attempt was made to make the sulphur on White Island profitable. By 1930, the depression forced the final closing of the works but the remains are still there to see for all those people whotake a trip by boat or plane to seethis magical place.
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