Mrs Howard Vincent recalls seeing the White Terraces for the first time in The Colonist, 3 March 1886.

At last we could see them in their general outline, a silica formation of white terraces in circular steps. We thought it disappointing; but not openly allowing so, we waded through the lukewarm water, about an inch deep, and stood at the bottom of Te Tarata, or the White Terrace.

At the first step we came to we were petrified with delight for a moment. Set in a basin of pure white silica, delicately carved and fretted, lay a pool of pale blue water, so pure in colour, so opaque in substance. I wish I could convey to the sight of those who read this the merest reflection of that, heavenly colour, that pale tint found nowhere else upon earth.

As we climbed upwards we saw terrace upon terrace, with each circular brim hanging with beautiful stalactites and sponge and coral formation. The sun, shining through the lace-like fringe on the coral- tipped edges set forth a hundred reflections, and we were dazzled by the snowy whiteness of the silica. The water percolates and trickles gently over the petrified drapery of each little cup and basin, each drop leaving its tiny deposit of silica, which in the course of ages has formed the terrace. Papers Past, National Library of New Zealand