Kohua Poharu Mud Pools
Kohua Poharu Mud Pools sits at 1,108 feet along the Thermal Explorer Highway, facing 300 degrees. The land drops 144 feet within 600 meters of the overlook. To the north-northwest, Motukiore rises to 1,880 feet at a distance of 6.8 miles, and Ngapoipoiatore reaches 1,939 feet at 7.9 miles in the same direction. The facing direction is angled toward sunset, about 30 degrees off square, making late-day light a consideration for visitors. Sunset times vary through the year, from 17:02 at the June solstice to 20:39 at the December solstice. This stop follows Waipunga Falls Viewpoint on the route and precedes Artist's Pallete Lookout for those continuing along the highway.
What you’re looking at
Named terrain inside the view from this overlook, nearest first.
- Motukiore1,880 ftnorth-northwest · 6.8 mi
- Ngapoipoiatore1,939 ftnorth-northwest · 7.9 mi
Light
This overlook faces sunset — 30° off square to it.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Golden hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | 07:18 | 19:29 | 18:55 |
| June solstice | 07:33 | 17:02 | 16:20 |
| September equinox | 06:07 | 18:12 | 17:37 |
| December solstice | 05:48 | 20:39 | 20:00 |
Local time (Pacific/Auckland). Computed for this exact position.
Where it is
Take the scenic way to Kohua Poharu Mud Pools.
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How high is Kohua Poharu Mud Pools?
Kohua Poharu Mud Pools sits at about 1,108 feet (338 m).
What can you see from Kohua Poharu Mud Pools?
From Kohua Poharu Mud Pools: Motukiore (NNW, 6.8 mi); Ngapoipoiatore (NNW, 7.9 mi).
Is Kohua Poharu Mud Pools better at sunrise or sunset?
Sunset. The land falls away from Kohua Poharu Mud Pools toward the sunset, so at sunrise the light is behind you. Exact times shift through the year; the page shows the current window.
What is the next lookout after Kohua Poharu Mud Pools?
Artist's Pallete Lookout is the next surfaced lookout along the same route after Kohua Poharu Mud Pools.
Drive to Kohua Poharu Mud Pools with Byway
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Locals make it Verified.
Kohua Poharu Mud Pools — confirmed, rated, and photographed by people who actually pulled over. A local confirmation is what upgrades a lookout from Discovered to Verified. Zero hallucinations.
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