Iceland is about as far away from Sydney as you can get. While it's quite a journey to get to, Iceland is a fascinating country of green fields, giant glaciers, black beaches, massive waterfalls and a profusion of underground activity.

So now you're on the opposite side of the globe, let's travel even further, away from the Reykjavik tourist area, to the opposite side of the island to Myvatn (only 8 or so hours by car from the capital).

Myvatn is the name of the lake which stretches for 37 square kilometres between the villages of Skutustadir and Reykjahlid (don't even try to pronounce the place names correctly). The area is a geothermal playground, with active and inactive volcanoes, bubbling mud pots, steaming sulphur fields and dramatic lava formations.

There are myriad trails to hike and sights to observe, and with nearly 24 hours of daylight in the summer, there's ample time to see as much as your energy levels allow. At the end of a hard day's exploration, a new hot springs centre built in the shadow of the dark tephra crater of Hverfell allows you the opportunity to relax in rejuvenating (though somewhat smelly) ponds rich in silica and other minerals that your skin especially will thank you for.  

Iceland is an expensive country to visit, with simple meals and accommodation at flabbergasting prices. Fortunately then, the physical attractions are free of charge and help keep the budget from exploding. Also most hotels and guesthouses include breakfast, so make sure you really fill up before you head out for the day. 

Myvatn is also the gateway to the Jokulsargljufur (Jokulsa for non-natives) National Park, a river canyon forged by ferocious glacial floods. The best way to experience the canyon is with the Elda Super Dettifoss Tour, conveniently based in Reykjahlid. This twelve hour expedition, which includes a fair amount of walking, takes a small group in a 4-wheel drive mini-bus along and into the canyon.

The expertly guided tour visits three major waterfalls, including the thundering Dettifoss, which has the greatest flow of any waterfall in Europe. Don't expect to conduct a conversation standing beside Dettifoss. The falls are seen hiking along the edge of the canyon. This is an unspoilt area and there are no fences. You can step as close to the edge of the cliffs as your vertigo will allow. If you were to fall and miss the rocks, the freezing water would probably kill you before you could swim to shore, so don't forget the volcanic rubble you're walking on is slippery.

Groups then descend into the canyon at Vesturdalir (West Valley) and take a two hour wander along the river to witness twisted basalt formations, unusual honeycomb walls and lava caves, before a steep ascent to view the canyon alongside the red hills of an ancient volcano (Raudholar).

The tour continues to the northern end of the canyon to the stone amphitheatre of Asbyrgi, which also features a rare forest (most trees in Iceland were cleared hundreds of years ago). The day is completed with a visit to the ocean cliffs to see puffin colonies (the colourful bird is Iceland's national emblem).

Iceland is not a country to visit for a day or two. Though it's small in area (less than half the size of Victoria), the variety of activities on offer is so great it would take longer than the average holiday to do it all. Take at least a week, do your research and choose your preferences wisely.

 

MORE PHOTOS CAN BE FOUND IN THE ICELAND PART 2 ALBUM IN THE PHOTOS SECTION ON THE WEB SITE