New Zealand · GEOTHERMAL & HOT SPRINGS IN ROTORUA
Summer fills these weeks ahead and the best go first. Below: the 15 to lock in before you fly, what each includes and where they differ.
Wai-O-Tapu near Rotorua reveals colorful hot pools, native bush trails, and Lady Knox Geyser with a flexible full-day ticket.
“The whole Geothermal park was amazing. Lady Knox is slightly over rated. Overall would recommend anyone who wants to view a Geothermal park.”
Soak in Rotorua’s geothermal mud and sulphur pools at Hells Gate, with a cool plunge, Māori traditions, practical tips, and honest value advice.
“We had a great time here, for $20 each we upgraded our ticket to include the walk around the geysers outside in the park too. The mud bath was great and our skin felt great afterwards. The hot baths were lovely. We rented towels to prevent our towels smelling of sulphur and they were only $5 per towel which was great Highly recommend”
Explore Wai-O-Tapu near Rotorua, with colorful hot pools, volcanic craters, native bush trails, and the daily Lady Knox Geyser eruption.
“Due to commercial reasons every day the geyser is started using soap. Therefore the outbreak is extremely small. What a pitty.”
Review of Rotorua’s Pavilion Pools, with seven mineral pools, reflexology walk, lake views, practical tips, costs, and who should book.
“Very nice! Nice , natural looking and very well made.”
Relax in five mineral pools beside Lake Rotorua, with heated loungers, a cold plunge, towels, lockers, and family-friendly facilities.
“Very clean! Lovely views and great relaxation. Would highly recommend.”
Explore Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu from Rotorua with a small-group guide, Lady Knox Geyser, colourful pools, volcanic valleys, and hotel pickup.
“The tour to through the volcano valley was amazing! Our tour guide Clint was so informative and friendly!”
Review of Polynesian Spa Rotorua’s Deluxe Lake Spa, with mineral pools, lake views, family access, facilities, price, and practical tips.
“Not hi end at all very commercial catering to groups of tourists from India , China. Nothing personal about it . Wouldn’t recommend it. We only did this because all others around us didn’t allow kids between 10 and 12. Very crowded and not modern looking .”
Review Hell's Gate Geothermal Walk near Rotorua, with bubbling mud, hot waterfalls, Māori carving, practical tips, and honest value advice.
“Our tour guide was Liam and I tell you what he was the best tour guide I have ever had. If I were to come back again I want Liam to be my tour guide again. He was very informative, friendly and humorous. Just a very lovely character.”
Review of Rotorua’s 8-hour Wai-O-Tapu, Lady Knox, Waimangu and Te Puia tour, with practical advice on timing, value, walking and guides.
“My wife Amelia and I had an amazing time with our guide Clint! Clint was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the Rotorua area and was able to share indepth understanding of the chemical processes and history that made the current landscape as unique and beautiful as it is today. We enjoyed all stops and even had the chance to check out some of the beautiful lakes, including the blue lake, green lake and lake Tarawera. A truly fantastic day tour that we cannot recommend enough!!! Thank you for such a magical experience :)”
Explore Orakei Korako near Taupo with bubbling pools, silica terraces, geysers, Ruatapu Cave, and a peaceful ferry ride.
“The park has a 2.5km trail that goes around the different features. There are many plaques with explanations. There are interesting points but nothing extremely spectacular.”
Soak in Rotorua’s acidic and alkaline mineral pools, enjoy lake views, and relax at the adults-only Polynesian Spa Pavilion.
“It was clean and beautiful with a relaxing atmosphere and beautiful scenery. Perfect way to start the day”
Explore bubbling mud, geysers, Māori stories, and forest paths at Hell’s Gate in Rotorua, with guided or self-guided walks from $27.93.
“Great picturesque walk through the bushes to the craters followed by a relaxing mud bath. Perfect experience with family if you want some quality time.”
Review of the 4-hour Wai-O-Tapu tour from Rotorua, including Lady Knox Geyser, bubbling mud, lake views, transport, price, and practical tips.
Review of Wai Ariki’s two-hour Māori restorative spa journey in Rotorua, with geothermal pools, mud therapy, saunas, cultural guidance, and lake views.
“Great experience,different than other spa pools.highly recommend for family,couple.great customer service”
Review of Rotorua’s Thermal Path Tour, with Rainbow Mountain, Kerosene Creek, mud pools, Te Manaroa Springs, and Waikite baths.
“Stephen was very informative — pleasant and on time! Lovely afternoon seeing some very remote parts of NZ we would never have seen on our own. So disappointed we were not able to catch his glow worm tour.”
Pick a coast, a crater or a cellar door.
