Which Rotorua Geothermal Park Should You Visit?

Rotorua, New Zealand is known as one of the most active geothermal fields in the world. Sitting within the Rim of Fire, this area is home to crater lakes, steaming hot springs, erupting geysers and a funky sulphur smell that hit me as soon as I get out of the car!

Every Rotorua geothermal park showcases the unique volcanic activity and history of the region. From Māori legends and historical healing properties to diverse landscapes and modern energy sources, the geothermal activity in Rotorua is unlike anything else I’ve experienced in the world and is not to be missed.

When we visited Rotorua during our three weeks in New Zealand, I wanted to learn more about the geothermal area and see the incredible geysers and pools I’d been researching online for months. We ended up visiting four geothermal parks in Rotorua and each one totally blew me away!

The best way to experience this geothermal and volcanic wonderland is by touring a Rotorua geothermal park (and/or pool!) for yourself. But which one should you choose? Below, I’ll walk you through the options, share my personal review and reviews from fellow travel bloggers, plus suggest which park is best based on your interests and budget.

Wondering what else to do in Rotorua? Check out 28 things to do in Rotorua!

Map of geothermal parks and hot pools in Rotorua

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Best Rotorua geysers & wow factor

Rotorua geothermal park: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland & Lady Knox Geyser

Cost: $32.50 NZD

Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm daily, last admission at 3:00pm

Book your tickets to Wai-O-Tapu here!

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is one of the best known geothermal parks in Rotorua, and for good reason. It has that WOW factor! If you do a Google Image search for Rotorua, the first few photos you’ll see are of the Champagne Pool in Wai-O-Tapu. Wai-O-Tapu is also home to Lady Knox Geyser, another big attraction in Rotorua.

When we visited Wai-O-Tapu on our first trip to New Zealand in April 2023, it lived up to the hype. The Champagne Pool was incredible to see up close; it was huge (apparently the largest hot spring in New Zealand!) and had really vivid colours. We learned that the pool got its name thanks to the carbon dioxide in the water that makes it bubble, just like champagne bubbles.

I also loved Roto Karikitea, a neon green pool that takes on that colour thanks to minerals in the water being refracted by the sunlight.

Lady Knox Geyser, while cool to see, was a tad underwhelming. Luckily I had done my research and knew that the geyser was set off each day manually (by a person as opposed to by nature) at a set time. It’s very touristy with benches set up in front of it. The whole thing is over pretty quickly but if you’re coming to Wai-O-Tapu anyway, it’s worth seeing the eruption.

Unfortunately, everyone comes for Lady Knox Geyser’s daily eruption at 10:15am (which is actually a short drive from the main entrance of Wai-O-Tapu) and then files into the park immediately afterwards. This means the park is busiest right after the geyser erupts. To avoid this, I would recommend getting to the park right when it opens at 8:30am, exploring for about 90 minutes, and then driving over to Lady Knox Geyser for its 10:15am eruption.

Alternatively, you could see the 10:15am geyser, have a late breakfast at the cafe, and then go into the park to explore behind the crowds.

Overall, I would recommend this Rotorua geothermal park if you’re looking to see those famous Instagram photos of colourful pools up close and if checking Rotorua geysers off your bucket list is important. Just keep in mind that this park does get crowded!

Best natural geothermal in Rotorua

Rotorua geothermal park: Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Cost: from $46 NZD

Hours: 8:30am – 5:00pm daily, last admission between 2-3:30pm

Book your tickets to Waimangu Volcanic Valley here!

On the same day that we explored Wai-O-Tapu, we drove over to Waimangu Volcanic Valley in the afternoon. Where Wai-O-Tapu was crowded, we basically had Waimangu to ourselves. It felt like we had found a hidden trail through the forest with beautiful landscapes on every side.

Waimangu is best for nature lovers who don’t mind spending a bit more on an entrance ticket. If you’re looking for a peaceful walk and beautiful scenery, this is the spot for you. The pools and features may not be as epic or Instagram-worthy, but the entire experience walking through the geothermal field might be more enjoyable.

That’s not to say that Waimangu isn’t cool! I loved seeing the steam coming off Pan Lake (described as the largest hot spring in the world), different types of stones and remnants from past volcanoes, terraced valleys and tons of black swans.

The walk through Waimangu Volcanic Valley is mostly flat or downhill and goes in and out of the shade. There are a few stops along the way where you can catch a bus and the trail ends at a lake, which you can pay to take a boat cruise out on. We opted out of the boat ride and simply walked all the way down to the lake and then took the bus back up.

As someone who does not consider themselves very fit or into hiking, I found the walk down easy (but would not have wanted to walk back up!). If mobility is an issue, you can take the bus which covers post of the geothermal park.

If you’re looking for a quieter geothermal park in Rotorua that makes you feel like you’re in a more natural and less touristed environment, I would definitely recommend Waimangu Volcanic Valley! But keep in mind that there aren’t as many show stopping pools and that the entrance fee is on the steep side.

Best free geothermal park & Rotorua hot springs

Rotorua geothermal park: Kuirau Park

Cost: Free!

Hours: Open 24 hours

Yes, there is a free geothermal area in Rotorua! If you don’t want to pay to enter a Rotorua geothermal park or pool, Kuirau Park is the perfect option. Bonus: It’s right in the centre of town!

Kuirau Park has a few different parts to it, including sports fields, manicured gardens, playgrounds and bathrooms. But the highlight for geothermal seekers would definitely be the Rotorua hot springs and pools. Walking on a path, I really enjoyed touring around the fenced off pools, many of which were bubbling and had steam coming off of them.

The big show stopper is Lake Kuirau. Māori legend says that a young woman named Kuirau used to swim in the lake. But a large Taniwha, an underwater serpent, lived in the lake and seized the woman one day. Kuirau was never seen again. The gods were so angry that they made the lake boil to kill the Taniwha and renamed the lake in memory of the woman who used to swim there.

Kuirau Park definitely felt other worldly to me, particularly around the steaming Lake Kuirau. Another pool was so deep and the water so clear that we saw a shopping cart at the bottom of it! On the way out there’s a small Rotorua hot springs pool where you can soak your feet in the thermal waters.

Because we visited Kuirau Park first, we were impressed by the geothermal activity. However, when compared to Wai-O-Tapu or Waimangu, Kuirau Park doesn’t offer as many or as varied geothermal sites to see. Steaming hot pools is pretty much all you will find here – not colourful waters, caves, terraces, etc.

If you’re happy to just see some geothermal activity in Rotorua and you’re on a budget, Kuirau Park is a great option. But if you want to see more, you’ll have to pay for it.

Best Rotorua geysers & Māori culture

Rotorua geothermal park: Te Puia

Cost: from $75 NZD

Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm (day experiences) & 5:30 – 10:00pm (night experiences) daily

Book your tickets to Te Puia here!

Te Puia is probably the most popular geothermal park in Rotorua thanks to its epic geyser, convenient location and Māori culture. If you’re looking for a bit of everything, Te Puia might be the right pick for you. In doing research for our trip, I was more attracted to the geothermal landscapes at Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu than the ones on offer at Te Puia.

I was also nervous about the crowds at Te Puia, since it’s so popular. And because we had decided to book a Māori experience at Mitai Māori Village, we opted not to visit Te Puia.

Note that the entrance fee for Te Puia is more expensive than most of the other parks on this list because it combines both geothermal activity and Māori cultural experiences. Definitely read through their website before booking to make sure you’re happy with what’s included.

While we didn’t get to visit Te Puia, my friend Olly from A Plan To Go visited and recommends it! Based on his description, it sounds like we might have missed out. Olly shares:

“My main reason for visiting Te Puia was to see the hot pools of bubbling mud and steaming geysers in the geothermally active Te Whakarewarewa Valley.

However, what I remember most about this place are the cultural taonga (treasures) created by the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, especially the intricate vivid red Pātaka (storehouse). If you enjoy wandering well-laid paths to witness the power and wonder of nature, and seeing the work of talented artists and craftspeople, Te Puia is worth at least a few hours of your time.”

Best off the beaten track Rotorua hot springs

Rotorua geothermal park: Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave

Cost: $47 NZD

Hours: 8:00am – 4:00pm daily, last ferry leaves at 4:00pm

Book your tickets to Orakei Korako here!

While planning our trip to New Zealand, I couldn’t decide between Waimangu Valley and Orakei Korako. Ultimately I went for Waimangu, but definitely think Orakei Korako would have been a great experience if we had had room for it in our New Zealand budget. It’s more off the beaten path – it’s one of the smaller geothermal parks and between Rotorua and Taupo – so would have been less crowded than big parks like Wai-O-Tapu and Te Puia.

PS: Heading to Taupo? Check out 22 things to do in Taupo!

Despite its small size, Orakei Korako promises a lot to see in a small area and is supposed to be very colourful. It is one of the mid-range or pricier parks, but as you’ll hear from my friends below, very much worth the cost of admission!

My friends Brigitte & Jake at Nothing Familiar Travel have visited and can recommend Orakei Korako. They say:

“Orakei Korako is one of the North Island’s best geothermal parks! It’s in a great location between Rotorua and Taupo which makes it very accessible from either destination.

Known as the ‘Hidden Valley,’ your adventure will start by taking a short ride over to this unique place in nature. From there, you will see the multi-colored hot springs, silica terraces, and mud pools. We were also surprised to discover that Orakei Korako’s 23 active geysers are the most of any geothermal park in NZ.

Orakei Korako is even home to the Ruatapu Cave which stretches 36 meters down to the volcanic Pool of Mirrors. This is a spot that both families and nature lovers will enjoy in New Zealand. We certainly did!”

Best geothermal in Rotorua’s neighbour, Taupo

Rotorua geothermal park: Craters of the Moon

Cost: $10 NZD

Hours: 9:30am – 5:00pm daily, last admission at 4:00pm

Tickets to Craters of the Moon can be purchased at the kiosk upon entry or look for discounted tickets on BookMe.

Craters of the Moon is an awesome option for enjoying geothermal activity if you find yourself in Taupo, about an hour’s drive south of Rotorua. While we did stay in Taupo on our trip to New Zealand, we had already visited three Rotorua geothermal parks and one hot pool by that point, so didn’t want to get geothermal burnout (pun not intended!).

But I think Craters of the Moon would be perfect for those with more time in Taupo, those on a budget (as entrance is only $10) and those looking for more sweeping, natural landscapes.

My friend Marc from Life Went That Way visited and he shares:

“Want to see some of New Zealand’s awesome geothermal activity for the price of a cheap lunch? Craters of the Moon is a spectacular geothermal site only a five minute drive north of Taupo.

An hour long walk on a formed path takes you through steaming vents and volcanic craters, it only takes an hour or so and is ideal for all ages and fitness levels. There are a few steps to get to some of the main lookout points but don’t let that put you off. I used to live in Taupo and would always take visitors here. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.”

Best Rotorua hot pools & mud spa

Rotorua geothermal park: Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve and Mud Spa

Cost: $42 NZD (geothermal walk), $85 NZD (mud bath & spa) or $105 NZD (geothermal & spa combo)

Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm daily, last admission from 3:30-4:30pm

Book your tickets to Hell’s Gate here!

I was intrigued when I first read about Hell’s Gate as it seems like the perfect place to experience the power of Rotorua’s geothermal activity – plus the name is fun! At Hell’s Gate you can see waterfalls and boiling thermal pools, just like many other Rotorua geothermal parks, but you also have the opportunity to experience them firsthand with their mud spa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hell’s Gate is probably best known for its mud spa and the chance to soak in Rotorua hot pools of mud. While a unique experience, I was slightly put off by the many reviews that mention how difficult it is to get the mud out of your bathing suit after the fact.

I also read that Hell’s Gate is more about the mud pool, so if you’re just looking to see geothermal activity, it might not be the best place for that. Since we already had other geothermal parks lined up, and an opportunity to experience the hot pools for ourselves (coming up next!), I opted out of Hell’s Gate.

However, it is highly rated and a great way to both see and personally experience Rotorua’s geothermal activity in one place. As long as you know about the staying power of the mud beforehand, and maybe don’t wear your nicest swimsuit, I think Hell’s Gate would be worth a visit! Note that the entrance cost for both the spa and geothermal walk is a bit steep, but perhaps worth it to enjoy both experiences.

Best Rotorua thermal pools you can swim in!

Rotorua hot pools: Polynesian Spa

Cost: pools from $26.95 NZD, spa treatments from $189 NZD

Hours: 9:00am – 11:00pm daily, last entry at 10:15pm

Book your tickets for the Deluxe Lake at Polynesian Spa here!

Unlike many of the Rotorua geothermal park options above, Polynesian Spa gives you a chance to actually soak in Rotorua thermal pools. Instead of just walking around and admiring the waters, you can experience them for yourself just like we did on a relaxing pool day!

Obviously the pools at Polynesian Spa are created for bathing – you’re not just jumping into boiling water. They are manmade pools but use the natural, geothermal water from the area. Since the 1800s, thermal baths have drawn people to Rotorua for their legendary healing properties. But whether you’re in it for the health benefits or just want a beautiful place to relax, a visit to Polynesian Spa in Rotorua is well worth it!

We booked the Deluxe Lake package which lets you experience five different Rotorua hot pools: four alkaline and one acidic. There was also a cold plunge pool and cold shower, as well as lots of lounge chairs, water stations, towels and shower facilities.

I liked that we got to experience a few different pools at different temperatures, as I’m not the kind of person who could sit in one pool for hours and hours. Most of the pools offered some shade, either from roof structures or trees, but there was also sun for those who wanted it.

We spent about 90 minutes hoping between the different pools (including braving the cold plunge!) and admiring the view over the lake. It was really peaceful and the whole place had a very relaxing vibe. It was an awesome way to spend time in Rotorua and chill out a bit on an otherwise busy trip. Besides the Deluxe Lake package there are a few other pool packages to choose from and spa services you can add on.

Of course, Polynesian Spa isn’t the only place where you can swim in the thermal waters. Check out these other Taupo and Rotorua hot pools: Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua, Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, Kerosene Creek, Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Health Spa, and Spa Thermal Park .

Conclusion: Which Rotorua geothermal park should you visit?

Choosing the best Rotorua geothermal park to visit is going to depend on your interests, your budget and your location.

• If budget is a big concern, consider Kuirau Park (free!) or Craters of the Moon in Taupo ($10 NZD).
• If you really want to see Rotorua geysers and iconic pools, head to Wai-O-Tapu or Te Puia.
• If you prefer to be out in nature and away from the crowds, opt for Waimangu or Orakei Korako.
• If you want to swim in Rotorua thermal pools, book a ticket for Polynesian Spa or Hell’s Gate.

Of the four parks and pools we visited in Rotorua, my favourites were Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu. Despite visiting both parks on the same day, I felt they were vastly different experiences and both well worth it. At Wai-O-Tapu we got to see some of the “heavy hitters” of Rotorua, like Champagne Pool and Lady Knox Geyser. And while Waimangu didn’t have as many iconic sites, I enjoyed the hike through the valley much more than the crowds of Wai-O-Tapu.

Want to visit my top two Rotorua geothermal parks? Join this half-day small group tour to both Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu Valley!

The geothermal activity in Rotorua and Taupo is so unique that I truly don’t think you can go wrong visiting any geothermal park or pool in the area. They all offer something different and seem to leave visitors very satisfied. So no matter which Rotorua geothermal park you choose, I think you’ll be blown away (geyser pun very much intended!).

Which Rotorua geothermal park or pool do you most want to visit?