The Hell's Gate Experience
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Rotorua, New Zealand
- 2 to 3 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Learn more about Rotorua’s culture and natural history when you visit the Hell’s Gate geothermal park. Simplify your visit by pre-purchasing your entry ticket. Take advantage of the included guided tours, which includes a self-guided option if you’d prefer to go at your own pace. Try Maori carving in the carving house and soak in the geothermal waters, if you like.
- Includes the carving activity, guided tours, and mud foot pools
- Bring your bathing suit to use the mud baths and sulfur spas
- A must-visit attraction in the central North Island
- Plan to spend between one and three hours here
What's Included
- Guided or Self-Guided Geothermal Walk
- Bathe in Mud Bath & Sulphur Spas
- Complimentary Māori carving
- Food & Drink
- Towels & Swimwear
Meeting and Pickup
Departure Point
- Hell's Gate Geothermal Reserve & Mud Spa, 351 State Highway 30, Tikitere 3010 New Zealand
What To Expect
1
Hell's Gate Geothermal Reserve & Mud Spa
Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- We recommend that women do not use our bathing facilities whilst pregnant. However, it is an individual’s choice and we recommend that you seek advice from your health professional if you are wanting to bathe.
- Not recommended for travellers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- The minimum age for the Mud Bath is 2.5 years, and for the Sulphur Spa is 6 months.
- Children are considered those aged 5 -15. Under 4s are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 371 reviews
Eric_J, Apr 2026
Great experience. The trail walk through the thermal pools was interesting. We enjoyed the wood carving. And of course the mud bath and supper pool.
Matthew_S, Apr 2026
Very fun, but the mud leaves you a bit stinky for a few days even after showers. Also half the walk was closed when we went, but I don’t think that was anyone’s fault
Spencer_W, Mar 2026
Enjoyable, but not amazing. Price is a bit steep. But we weren't sad to have done it. The geothermal walk isn't as informative as we would've hoped. The carving was enjoyable. The mud was cool, but be sure to heed their caution about the sulphur getting into your swimsuit (and any clothes you wash with your swimsuit).
Denise_v, Mar 2026
The walk is easy and very interesting. The landscape looks so desolate in places you wonder how people ever worked out the uses for the mud and hot pools.
The mud spa and pools were relaxing but we could have benefited from a better explanation of the facility
Nancy_M, Feb 2026
We did the guided tour (slightly earlier than our scheduled time but it wasn’t a problem checking in early) and it was great. We saw and learned about the area and Māori culture while on the hour-long tour. The mud baths and warm sulphur pools were wonderful too!
Nicole_K, Feb 2026
Great experience. Recommend getting guided tour so learn and understand surrounds, history and different kinds of muds, pools, plants etc. Guide was very informative.
Wood carving was quick, get to keep a memento.
Mud baths, plunge pool, bit crowded, but glad we had a soak.
All up worth the $.
Margaret_D, Jan 2026
Lots of different things to experience, most enjoyable. A good outing. Recommend this to others. We were so close to the water & rocks
Stacey_M, Jan 2026
The geothermal hot springs were more striking in person (and better, in our opinion, than Waiotapu), and we enjoyed walking through the lush forest area with the scenic view of Kakahi Falls. The wood carving experience was also fun to try. We thought the experience included a tour, but we weren’t offered headsets or any information about a tour on arrival.
Kyle_B, Jan 2026
We self-guided through the walk, and enjoyed the experience. We were nervous about the mud bath, but it turned out nice and thoroughly relaxing. The showers and changing area were great, so we’re were very clean (but a bit sulphur-smelling) to go on with our day.
Andres_O, Dec 2025
Unique experience, the tour guy was a local Maori who took the time and caring to explain all the details
SUE_M, Dec 2025
Great experience, seeing the geothermal activity was very interesting. We followed with the mud bath and mineral pool which was super relaxing and enjoyable. Highly recommend.
Debby_B, Dec 2025
Fascinating experience. The guided walk is included in the price and is brilliant. Don't just rush around by yourself. You will learn so much more about the geothermal pools, and the Maori culture on the tour.
Louisa_B, Nov 2025
Explored the thermal landscape, then enjoyed the mud baths and thermal pools. Absolutely worth it, really really enjoyable and well organised.
Russell_H, Nov 2025
Guide was a bit immature with teenage level delivery and weak jokes. He was the only one laughing at them. Most Kiwis don't eat KFC regularly.
Michelle_W, Nov 2025
Great experience. The tour guide was very entertaining. The mud spa and spa were very nice to relax in. A great day.
Patti_B, Oct 2025
We really enjoyed the tour our guide’s (sorry I don’t remember his name but it was long) genuine story telling enthusiasm and knowledge was the highlight of the day! Surprisingly we really enjoyed the wood carving a little souvenir to take home. The mud bath was fun met some friendly folks, took turns taking each other’s pictures! Overall and fun day!!! I would highly recommend.
Adrian_B, Oct 2025
Excellent guided tour from the guide with the very long name (!). Well organised throughout. We enjoyed the wood carving and the spa very much. Highly recommended.
Tangimetua_M, Oct 2025
The staff at Hell’s Gate were all so friendly and upbeat and very informative thank you for such a great day.
Peter_H, Oct 2025
A great experience, our guide was really knowledgable and the mud bath and mineral baths were so relaxing. Overall it was a whole lot of fun.
Janice_E, Sep 2025
A wonderful experience. Easy self walking tour. Friendly informative staff. Rejuvenating thermal spas and mud pools
ORYITZHAK_N, Sep 2025
Wow what a place. I never saw this kind of sightseeing. All these hot springs were amazing, and the walk in the site was very interesting with the self guided commentary. The hot pools and mud were very nice.
Amanda_P, Aug 2025
Loved the hike around the geysers and hot springs! Loved getting to use the mud and hot spring spa at the end. My skin felt radiant for a week!
Linda_S, Apr 2025
We really enjoyed walking through the Hells Gate park. We did the self guided, but you do have the option of a free guide. The times for those were 1030 and 230. So it depends on what you prefer. We started at 1230 and there were very few people out on the walkways. Had the park pretty much to ourselves. It was a little rainy the day we went, so maybe that's why. It was worth the long drive to see this unique place.
LJ_A, Apr 2025
We actually loved the mud baths (weren’t so sure we would) and warm pools afterwards. And surprisingly, loved the wood carving and dude taking it. You get bucket lockers to put your gear in. Excellent to see people of all shapes and sizes getting involved and into it. Felt fantastic afterwards. The self-guided walk around the park if you’ve already been on one of the geothermal tours was not worth doing
Robin_H, Mar 2025
A lot of walking, followed by a wonderful mud spa. Our guides Luke and Arihi were great, well humoured and informative, giving us tips on local eateries and washing instructions. Thanks to them both.
Emily_E, Mar 2025
Historic and picturesque landscapes, coupled with relaxation with the mud pools. A must visit when in Rotorua!
Stephen_F, Mar 2025
First time taking a mud bath. Could have soaked in the sulphur springs all day! We did a self guided tour of the geothermal springs. Took lots of pictures. Took an Uber there and back. Less than 10 miles out of town.
saraplanton, Mar 2025
I highly recommend taking the guided tour. We learned so much more than we would have if walking through on our own
Amber_M, Mar 2025
Nice mud! Great geo- thermal area, quite extensive. The mud bath is short, but other mineral baths can be longer.
Laura_L, Feb 2025
Know that you should book early in the day. We booked 3:30 and were very rushed. They didn’t tell us they were closing soon when we checked in, sent us on the walk and it cut our time short in the mud and hot springs.
From $69.15
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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The Hell's Gate Experience
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