Wairakei Steam Field Lookout

This lookout provides a view over the western bore field of the Wairakei Geothermal Field. This area has around 30 wells drilled to depths of about 600 m. These wells, and others in different areas of the geothermal field provide hot water and steam to generate electricity.

The Wairakei Power Station was the world’s second geothermal power station and the first to utilise flash steam from geothermal water as an energy source to generate electricity. It was commissioned in 1963.
Wairakei Geothermal Power Station uses steam to drive the turbines.

The Wairakei Geothermal Field is managed by Contact Energy, who along with operating three power stations utilising the hot water and steam, also supply heat for space heating to a nearby hotel and offices, a freshwater prawn farm and a geothermal hot water spa development.

On the drive to the lookout have a look for the different types of pipes and metal parts. There is a sign at the lookout that explains the various parts of the steam field.