HOT SPRINGS · NEW ZEALAND HOT SPRINGS
Rotorua steams in the street and the smell comes free. These 15 cover the geothermal parks, the mud pools and the riverside hot pools, priced, with the ones that pair a raft trip or a Maori evening onto the same day.
Visit Wai-O-Tapu at your own pace with full-day access, three walking routes, and a map in 11 languages. Arrive at the Lady Knox Geyser viewing area by 10:15am, then return to the main park for Champagne Pool, Artist’s Palette, Devil’s Bath, bubbling mud, native bush, a café, and picnic areas.
“I've never seen anything like that before you, a must in your list if you're in the area”
Take on the Kaituna River near Rotorua with a professional guide, full rafting gear, and no previous experience required. You’ll spend about an hour on warm water, tackling rapids and three waterfalls, including a thrilling 7-meter drop. Guides such as George, Luca, Tor, and Elise are known for clear instruction and lively coaching. A free sauna awaits afterward.
“The best fun. You feel safe all the time even though it sounds scary but it was so much fun and the scenery is magical. Highly recommended. The highlight of our holiday🤗”
At Hell’s Gate, about 15 minutes from Rotorua, follow a marked geothermal walk with a map or join a daily English tour. Guides such as Tee, Zia, Liam, and Ngati explain Māori culture and volcanic features. Finish with a 20-minute mud bath, sulfur spa, cool plunge, and optional Māori carving.
“Great experience, enjoyed the walk, felt like we had stepped into a different world. The wood carving was a quick bit of fun at the end And the spa and mud bath were so relaxing and rejuvenating”
Join Rotorua Rafting for a two-hour Kaituna River trip with wetsuits, safety gear, expert instruction, and no prior experience needed. You’ll paddle through 14 rapids, tackle three waterfalls, swim and jump from the raft, then warm up in a free wood-fired sauna. Guides including Lucas, Jack, Peach, and George are praised for calm, clear coaching.
“Rotorua Rafting are an amazing and fun company to raft with. Everyone at Rotorua Rafting was lovely and welcoming, putting you at ease (particularly our guide, Sam) and making every twist and turn of the river a fun adventure. This activity is already becoming the highlight of my trip to New Zealand. Would highly recommend this experience to anyone who enjoys water sports or wants to experience this beautiful place from a different perspective.”
At Polynesian Spa’s Deluxe Lake Spa, you can use four shallow Rachel Spring alkaline pools, one Priest Spring acidic pool, a cold plunge, heated recliners, and an indoor lounge. Towels, lockers, toiletries, and hairdryers are included. The setting is family-friendly, but children need adult supervision and the pools are not wheelchair accessible.
“It was amazing. My husband and I had a beautiful time there. We will definitely go back again.”
Spend a day at Polynesian Spa’s Pavilion Pools in Rotorua, reserved for ages 12 and over. Move between hot acidic and alkaline mineral pools, try the foot reflexology walk, stretch in the deep stand-up pool, and enjoy a Rachel Spring pool facing Lake Rotorua. Towels, swimsuits, and lockers cost extra.
“Absolutely loved the massage so so good and enjoyed the soak in the pools too!”
Spend up to four hours at Polynesian Spa Rotorua with access to five mineral pools, a cold plunge, warm recliners, premium changing rooms, lockers, towels, and an indoor lounge. The family-friendly Deluxe Lake Spa has pools from 36°C to 41°C and looks across Lake Rotorua. Admission is valid all day on your booking date.
“Our tour guide, Linda, was great - was on time, informative and fun. Both the Wai-o-tapu and Waimangu Valley were incredible! Best tour in Rotorua!”
Spend up to eight hours at Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa with access to 22 outdoor pools, four waterslides, a lap pool, lazy river, kids’ areas, and family pools. You can shift from warm mineral water to active rides, bring your own food, or eat at the on-site Tea Kiosk Cafe. Towels and lockers cost extra.
“Really enjoyed the relaxing hot thermal pools. Unfortunately the slides and lazy river area was not heated and too cold to enjoy the day we where there.”
Walk through Hell’s Gate, Rotorua’s most active geothermal park, on a marked self-guided route or a timed English tour. See New Zealand’s largest active mud volcano, hot waterfalls, steaming fumaroles, sulfur deposits, and boiling pools. Add Māori carving or a mud foot pool if available, and expect a strong sulfur smell.
“Our guide named ‘T’ was absolutely brilliant . He was knowledgeable, interesting and a lot of fun . The place is amazing.”
Take the on-demand ferry from Orakei Korako Geothermal Park to a 2.5-kilometre boardwalk through steaming pools, geysers, silica terraces, and Ruatapu Cave. You set the pace without a guide, but clear signs explain the sights. Allow about two hours, wear sturdy shoes, and expect steps.
“A gem on the road less travelled. We went to other geothermal offerings, but this was the best. Up close and immersive experience at your own pace.”
Spend two quiet hours in Ōpuke’s adults-only Tranquility Pools near Methven. Your $40 entry includes a robe, towel, heated solar-powered pools, Southern Alps views, and swim-up bar access. Discovery Pools are also available except during the 7 and 8 PM sessions. Bring swimwear and accepted photo ID.
“The pool was quiet at 10am and relaxing. The tranquility pools were so good. plenty of different areas to relax in. The homemade lemonade in the swim up bar was so refreshing and the free water. staff welcoming and the overall setup of changing and shower area was clean”
Take an on-demand ferry from the visitor center to Orakei Korako’s thermal valley, then follow a marked self-guided trail past bubbling mud, hot springs, up to 23 geysers, colorful silica terraces, and rare Ruatapu Cave. Allow about 1.5 hours for the walk, wear sturdy shoes, and expect steps.
“Fascinating, and being able to take the dog as well a bonus.”
Spend the day at Polynesian Spa’s Pavilion, a 12+ bathing area beside Lake Rotorua. Move between three Priest Spring acidic pools, Rachel Spring alkaline pools, a stand-up pool, and a lake-view pool. Changing rooms, showers, storage tubs, and a reflexology walk are included. Towels, lockers, swimwear, and café purchases cost extra.
“The Polynesian Spa offered us a very calm and relaxing soak in the natural hot springs of the area. We didn’t do any of the private tubs or spa treatments but felt like the public pools was a nice bang for your buck. Views of the lake are really nice! There’s a public shower you can use afterward and a small cafe as well. You can rent a towel for pretty cheap so need to bring one.”
Travel from Tauranga to Rotorua in a small, air-conditioned vehicle for a guided visit to Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village, a Māori concert with haka, and a light hangi-style lunch. You will also see geothermal pools, Pohutu geyser, Lake Rotorua, Government Gardens, Mount Maunganui, and Te Puke’s kiwifruit country.
“This tour was well worth it and Peter was an excellent guide. We really enjoyed the authentic Maori village with a tour guide and the cultural performance with the Haka. The village doesn't get any government money. The After the tour we Read more”
Spend the day at Tekapo Springs, soaking in three hot pools heated to 36.5 to 38.5°C above Lake Tekapo. You can move between adult-only and family areas, use the cooler pools and aqua play zone, and return throughout the day. Bring swimwear and a towel, or hire both on site.
“it was OK. Couldn't physically sit and really see Lake Tekapo, but it was sort of visible.I was looking forward to a bit more of a relaxing bit of downtime after a long drive, but just a wee bit frustrated at the kids using as a swimming pool. had to retreat to the hotter pool, which was OK for a while, but needed to go into cooler pills, which were busier and noisier.”
By tradition, by country, or by the kind of day it makes.
