11 of the Top Hot Springs in Rotorua

Of all of Rotorua’s geothermal spas, Hell’s Gate Geothermal Park is one of the most famous ... unsurprising, as it’s been a spa destination since 1871. East of Lake Rotorua and conveniently located off the main road to Lake Rotoiti, Hell’s Gate is a particularly exciting destination as it offers both sightseeing and bathing.

Stroll along dedicated paths past lined by gorgeous scenery—including mud volcanoes and an enormous hot waterfall—before slathering yourself in mud, soaking in sulfur spas, and finishing with a cold plunge for the full experience.

Another one of Rotorua’s OG tourist attractions, the lakeside Polynesian Spa has been soothing muscles and refreshing skin since 1878. Polynesia Spa offers 28 different pools fed by two springs, so there are options for everyone, including families, adults, and anyone seeking a private experience. The focus here is entirely on pampering rather than sightseeing (albeit within a gorgeous natural setting), so you'll have the option to follow your hot spring dip with a treatment such as a massage, scrub, or facial.

Insider tip: Polynesian Spa also offers wellness retreats.

Opened in 2023, Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa is a more recent addition to Rotorua’s mineral pool bathing scene. The upscale complex’s sleek architecture is an attraction in its own right, blending Scandi style with Māori motifs. Plus, te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) is imbued throughout the complex and its healing practices.

Here, relax in communal or private baths, get a body treatment, dine at the café, or book a 2-hour restorative package that includes various water, body, and cultural treatments and practices.

Insider tip: The word wai means “water” in te reo Māori language, so you’ll see it in the place names of many springs or other water-based locations.

If you’re on a tight budget in Rotorua, Kuirau Park is a must-visit spot as it combines many Rotorua drawcards but it’s totally free. In fact, it’s Rotorua’s only free geothermal park. It might not be quite as meticulously maintained as the parks with entrance fees, but you can’t beat the price point (or lack of one), and Kuirau Park still has everything you need for a relaxing spot to spend the day.

Here, boardwalks lead to volcanic lakes, bubbling mud pools, hot springs, and even a naturally heated foot soak bath. Plus, picnic and barbeque areas, playgrounds, and a Saturday morning farmers market make this an appealing all-round destination.

Tucked away in the Waikite Valley south of Rotorua, the Waikite Valley Hot Pools are a great rural escape as there’s an on-site campground with no Wi-Fi (a selling point in 2025 rather than a drawback). Campers get early morning access to the pools, but day visitors can come and use the six pools that contain untreated (albeit cooled) spring water from the boiling Te Manaroa Spring. An eco trail also leads to the natural spring, which pumps water out of the ground at 210°F (99°C).

While Lake Rotorua dominates the Rotorua area, it’s not the only lake here. The Manupirua Springs Hot Pools are on the southern shore of Lake Rotoiti, east of Rotorua. These pools are only accessible by boat or floatplane, making getting there part of the fun of visiting.

Most people come by water taxi, but you can also join a kayaking tour for some slower-paced sightseeing on the way there. While the outdoor hot pools here are a bit simpler than some of the fancier Rotorua spa experiences, their waterfront position overlooking Lake Rotoiti is unparalleled.

All outdoor hot pools in Rotorua are natural to a degree, but some use treated or filtered water, or at least have constructed pools and bathing areas with water piped from elsewhere. But to really get back to nature, check out Kerosene Creek, just off the road between Rotorua and Taupo.

This natural hot water waterfall is surrounded by bush and is undeveloped (apart from a small changing shack) and free to visit. “Undeveloped” doesn’t mean “undiscovered” however: This is a very popular spot, so visit early in the day if you can.

Insider tip: Thefts have often been reported from the parking lot here, so keep valuables stowed out of sight, or take them with you.

Whakarewarewa is a large area south of Rotorua city that includes Te Puia geothermal preserve, the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, the Living Māori Village, the Redwoods Forest, and other must-see attractions. You can spend a full day here, learning about traditional and contemporary Māori culture and following walking trails past mud pools and geysers, which have been utilized by the local people for centuries.

Keep in mind that this is more of a sightseeing spot than a spa destination, though. While you can’t bathe at Wakarewarewa, you can learn all about the science and culture of the region.

Did you know?: New Zealand’s largest active geyser, the 98-foot (30-meter) high Pohutu Geyser, is located at Whakarewarewa.

South of Rotorua, on the road to Taupo, Waimangu Volcanic Valley is one of the largest geothermal zones in the area. There’s no bathing here either, but you can take great walks through the bush and find steaming geothermal features hidden within.

You can also explore the site of the famous Pink and White Terraces, a collection of silica deposits that resemble Pamukkale in western Turkey, but that were destroyed by the eruption of volcanic Mt. Tawawera in 1886. The site is accessible by a collection of trails, or by a cruise on Lake Rotomahana.

A bit farther south than Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is another ethereal geothermal park. The highlights here are the Lady Knox Geyser—which is “released” daily in the morning at a set time—and the multi-colored sulfur pools, ranging from rust orange to matte lime green. Boardwalks allow you to navigate the large park and enjoy great views of the natural features without getting too close—some of the thermal pools are more than 210°F (100°C).

If you’ve made it all the way to Rotorua, it’s worth going the extra mile (or, rather, 50 miles/ 80 kilometers) to nearby Taupo. The small town on the shores of the very big Lake Taupo also has its share of volcanic attractions and hot springs, including the wonderful Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort.

The indoor and outdoor baths are fed by the Onekeneke spring, the waters of which are cooled to a comfortable temperature, so you can bathe and swim in the pools. The hydroslides and warm-water aqua playground also make this a great family destination.

Insider tip: Surprise the Taupo locals (in a good way) by pronouncing the name correctly: it’s toe-paw, not taw-poe.