The jaw-dropping national park where lava erupts into the sky

Seven wonders within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Covering over 1300 square kilometres on the island of Hawaii – also known as the Big Island – the UNESCO-listed Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a surreal, ever-changing landscape shaped by fire, steam and centuries of eruptions. Here, you can hike across craters, dine on the edge of the abyss and even bathe your face in volcanic mist.

1. Witness the power of Kilauea

One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea has entered a fascinating new phase of activity. When the volcano is in an active eruption phase, lucky visitors can witness fountains of lava and chunks of rock shooting into the air, accompanied by a sound like the roar of a jet engine. The summit Uekahuna and the Kilauea Overlook are the prime spots for viewing activity within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Even during quiet periods, the vast Kilauea Caldera remains a hive of activity, with steam and gas hissing from the earth. See nps.gov/havo

2. Enjoy a natural facial

Forget expensive skincare – you can treat yourself to a free facial at the Steaming Bluff (Wahinekapu) vents. Here, groundwater meets rocks heated by magma deep within the earth’s crust, sending plumes of purified water vapour to the surface. It seeps into your pores and fogs up your sunnies in seconds. “I’m really 89, but I come here regularly,” jokes Matteo, our guide from Hawaii Forest & Trail. The vents are located on the edge of the caldera, a short walk from the Steam Vents car park on Crater Rim Drive.

3. Stroll through an ancient lava tube

There are few places on earth where you can walk through the “plumbing” of a volcano. At Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube), you enter a tunnel carved by a river of molten lava 500 years ago. Stretching about 180 metres, the air cools noticeably as you enter, with a musty scent and fern roots dangling from the ceiling. Once used by native Hawaiians for shelter and food storage, Nahuku is the most accessible example of these geological wonders in the park.

4. Marvel at ancient petroglyphs

One of Hawaii’s most significant cultural sites, the Pu’uloa Petroglyphs, lies on the southern flank of Kilauea. A boardwalk trail leads through a sacred open-air gallery where more than 23,000 carvings, dating back as far as the year 1200, are etched into the black basalt. Look for motifs featuring circles (often used to hold a newborn’s umbilical cord to ensure a long life), human figures and canoe sails.

5. Dine on the edge of the summit

Savour local dishes such as smoky kalua pork or freshly grilled mahi mahi at the historic Volcano House hotel. Situated on the rim of the Kilauea Caldera, the restaurant offers views directly into the smoking heart of the volcano. While it’s an incredible experience at any time of day, in the evening – if the volcano is active – the crater comes alive with an eerie red glow. Better yet, stay the night to watch the clouds of steam drift past your window. See hawaiivolcanohouse.com

6. Hike to a frozen fire-fountain

Adventurous travellers can trek across hardened lava fields to the Mauna Ulu fissure. This vent opened in 1969, erupting for five years and radically altering the landscape. Along the way, you’ll pass “lava trees” – stone pillars formed when molten rock solidified around trees – and can climb 64 metres to the summit of the Pu’uhuluhulu volcanic cone for a panoramic view of the coastline.

7. Drive the Chain of Craters Road

The 30-kilometre descent (one way) known as Chain of Craters Road feels like travelling through layers of geological time. The route weaves past hardened lava flows from the 1960s and ’70s that resemble giant trays of burnt cookies. Pull over at Kealakomo Overlook for views of the Pacific, then continue to the Holei Sea Arch — a dramatic 27-metre-high formation carved by the waves. Keep an eye out for “Pele’s tears,” tiny droplets of volcanic glass named after the Hawaiian goddess of fire.

The writer travelled as a guest of Hawaii Tourism Oceania. See hawaii-forest.com; gohawaii.com/au