New Zealand · GEOTHERMAL & HOT SPRINGS
The Taupō Volcanic Zone runs the length of the central North Island and every stop on it charges differently. The 15 below cover the colour parks, the mud baths and the soaking pools, with entry prices and how long each one really takes.
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.”
Review of Auckland’s Hobbiton, Rotorua, and Wai-O-Tapu day tour, with practical advice on timing, value, transport, walking, and what to expect.
“We really enjoyed the visit to Hobbiton. We would have liked more time at the gift shop and the Green Dragon Inn. Alfredo, our guide, was excellent! He was extremely personable and knowledgeable about the history and facts about the areas we visited. And on our return trip, he took us to see sites along the way home. It was great fun! Had a very enjoyable day.”
Review of Cheeky Kiwi’s 13-hour Auckland tour to Hobbiton, Rotorua, and Wai-O-Tapu, with practical advice on timing, value, transport, and what to expect.
“We had an amazing time. Super informative guide. Great conversation and amazing scenery. Highly recommend this Tour and this company. Customer service was above and beyond anything expected Simon was amazing.”
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 of Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools, with 22 pools, slides, family facilities, prices, tips, drawbacks, and booking advice.
“Everything worked very well, the admission and the pools. The city offers good restaurants and a forest for fast and easy trackings.”
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 on a flexible self-guided walk with geysers, silica terraces, mud pools, a cave, and ferry rides.
“Very different experience to thermal pool site previously visited. Less touristy a good alternative to the Rotarua site. Small cafe onsite but be warned no toilets on explore site. The crossover by boat provides a good view of the area. The site is Read more”
Review of Ōpuke Thermal Pools in Methven, with adult-only pools, Southern Alps views, swim-up drinks, pricing, tips, and practical details.
“The best thing you have to be 18, no little people. Numbers are restricted so not over crowded a fabulous grown up experience”
Review of Auckland’s Rotorua day trip to Wai-O-Tapu and Te Puia, with geysers, Māori culture, haka, hotel pickup, and practical tips.
“Fantastic tour! Geothermal park was amazing to see. Rotorua is definitely a place we will explore and spend some time next time we come to visit. The native performance was outstanding. Highly recommend.”
Pick a coast, a crater or a cellar door.
