New Zealand · GEOTHERMAL PARK TOURS

The 15 Best Geothermal Parks in New Zealand

37 tours  ·  from $18

Silica terraces, a champagne pool and a geyser that keeps to a timetable. The 15 below cover Wai-O-Tapu, Hell's Gate, Waimangu and the rest, with entry prices, walking loops and which ones you can pair in one morning.

Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park Entry Ticket - Start with Lady Knox at 10:15am
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Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park Entry Ticket

1.Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,601 reviews · 3 months · from $28Our pick

Walk three marked trails through Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, seeing Champagne Pool, Artist’s Palette, Devil’s Bath, bubbling mud, and steaming ground. Arrive by 10:15am for Lady Knox Geyser, then return to explore at your own pace. Parking, a map, café, toilets, and picnic areas are provided.

“Very well organized. The staff was friendly and helpful. The park is maintained very well and easy to walk. Beautiful sights.”

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Rotorua: Hell's Gate Outdoor Mud Spa & Guided Walk - Starting with the geothermal walk
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Rotorua: Hell’s Gate Outdoor Mud Spa & Guided Walk

2.Hell’s Gate Outdoor Mud Spa & Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,140 reviews · 3 hours · from $68

Spend three hours at Hell’s Gate, about 15 minutes from Rotorua, walking a steaming geothermal field, trying Māori carving, and soaking in mineral mud and sulphur pools. Choose a self-guided route or join an English tour led by guides such as Liam, Tee, Zia, or Nati.

“The tour was fantastic. Tee was our guide and he was so informative, respectful and fun. He made the tour exceptional. We highly recommend it.”

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Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas - The mud treatment: playful, warm, and shorter than expected
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Hell’s Gate Mud Bath & Spas

3.Hell’s Gate Mud Bath & Spas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 475 reviews · from $55

At Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve near Rotorua, you cover your skin with mineral-rich mud, rinse, then soak in sulfur spas. Allow about an hour, bring old swimwear and a towel, and expect a lingering sulfur scent. Children can join, with age limits for each bathing area.

“We persevered with the trip despite the pouring rain and we were assured the rain would make the views even better and they were right! The walk was beautiful. We then hit the mud baths which was really fun and the hot pools after were really relaxing. All the staff were super friendly.”

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Rotorua: Hells Gate Outdoor Mud Bath & Spa Experience - Arriving from Rotorua and getting settled
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Rotorua: Hells Gate Outdoor Mud Bath & Spa Experience

4.Hells Gate Outdoor Mud Bath & Spa Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 398 reviews · 1 hour · from $53

At Hells Gate, 15 minutes from Rotorua, you cover yourself in warm grey geothermal mud for 20 minutes, rinse, then relax in sulphur pools and a cool plunge. You can add the geothermal reserve walk, and the optional shuttle may be driven by Mike, a friendly, punctual local driver.

“The staff were all excellent and made me feel nostalgic welcome - thank you”

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Rotorua based Small Group Morning Tour Waimangu and Wai O Tapu - Wai-O-Tapu’s hot pools and mineral colors
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Rotorua based Small Group Morning Tour Waimangu and Wai O Tapu

5.Rotorua based Small Group Morning Tour Waimangu and Wai O Tapu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 347 reviews · from $130Top rated

Travel by air-conditioned minivan from Rotorua to Wai-O-Tapu, Lady Knox Geyser, and Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Guides such as Clint, Phil, Shaun, Clive, and Robbie share geology, Māori culture, plants, birds, and local stories in groups capped at 15 people.

“Very knowledgeable tour guide Shaun. He made it much more interesting and we learned a lot. Really good experience for teen and adults.”

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The Hell's Gate Experience - Guided or self-guided: which works better?
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The Hell’s Gate Experience

6.The Hell’s Gate Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 338 reviews · from $71

Spend 2 to 3 hours walking among Rotorua’s mud pots, hot springs, forest, and Kakahi Falls. Choose a guided or self-guided route, try complimentary Māori carving, then relax in a mud bath and sulphur spa. Guides such as Luke and Arihi add local stories and practical tips.

“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.”

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From Rotorua: Wai O Tapu & Waimangu Eco Thermal Morning Tour - Starting from central Rotorua hotels
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From Rotorua: Wai O Tapu & Waimangu Eco Thermal Morning Tour

7.Wai O Tapu & Waimangu Eco Thermal Morning Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 320 reviews · 5 hours · from $131

Start with central Rotorua pickup, then visit Wai-O-Tapu, Lady Knox Geyser, and Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Your English-speaking guide, such as Clive, Shaun, Phil, or Clint, leads the walks and explains the geology, Māori culture, plants, and local history. Lunch is not included.

“Our guider was very knowledgeable and a great speaker that makes our tour exceptionally interesting. Wai O Tapu and Waimangu are so impressive that exceeded my expectations.”

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Rotorua Lake: Deluxe Lake Spa Geothermal Hot Spring Bathing - Choosing between four Rachel Spring pools
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Rotorua Lake: Deluxe Lake Spa Geothermal Hot Spring Bathing

8.Rotorua Lake: Deluxe Lake Spa Geothermal Hot Spring Bathing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 302 reviews · from $47

Spend a day at Polynesian Spa’s Deluxe Lake Spa beside Lake Rotorua. You get four shallow Rachel Spring alkaline pools, one Priest Spring acidic pool, a cold plunge, heated recliners, towels, lockers, toiletries, and an indoor lounge. The setting suits families and quiet morning soaks.

“The pools are managed very well. We had an amazing time.”

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Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+ - Priest Spring pools for sore muscles
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Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+

Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu - The downhill route through forest and grassland
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Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

10.Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 248 reviews · from $46

Walk Waimangu Volcanic Valley independently, using the Wanderer Guide or free app to understand steaming vents, Frying Pan Lake, Inferno Crater Lake, Lake Rotomahana, native plants, and volcanic history. Choose your pace and route, then ride the internal shuttle back uphill.

“Was a lovely area Lil disappointed I couldn’t do the full walk or boat due to renovations but what I did was mesmerising. Thankful the bus journey back up and the lil tour guide chat from the driver as I went in to explore areas he’d spoken about”

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Rotorua: Hell's Gate Geothermal Walk - The one-hour walk, step by step
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Rotorua: Hell’s Gate Geothermal Walk

11.Hell’s Gate Geothermal Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 217 reviews · 1 hour · from $26Best value

Walk through Rotorua’s active Hell’s Gate geothermal reserve, alone with a map or with an English-speaking guide at 10:30 AM or 2:30 PM. See boiling pools, sulfur deposits, a mud volcano, hot waterfalls, and bush. Allow about an hour for the walk, longer for carving or the mud foot pool.

“Overall the tour was pretty great and informational. Though it can be done without a guide as the reception provides an informational booklet but having a guide helps in knowing about the history of the place. the guided tours run at specific times only (10:30 AM and 2:30 PM) There is no hot water geyser at this which might be available at other similar places”

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From Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu and Te Puia Full-Day Tour - Starting early from Rotorua hotels
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From Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu and Te Puia Full-Day Tour

12.Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu and Te Puia Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 178 reviews · 8 hours · from $209

Travel from Rotorua with a local guide such as Clint, Linda, or Shaun to Wai-O-Tapu, Lady Knox Geyser, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, and Te Puia. Expect easy-paced walks, Māori arts, kiwi viewing, geysers, and plenty of useful commentary in a group capped at 20.

“Our guide was excellent (forgot his name, but he and his brother run the company). He really embraced the indigenous culture and knows so much about everything, friendly and down to each guy. Taught the group a great deal about everything. For each of the areas we visited the tickets are quite expensive if you look at them individually, in this case the booking included everything so no need to worry. You have to go with a guide since you just won’t get the same experience. Must see though, you can’t go to New Zealand and not see this stuff.”

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Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako - A boardwalk through boiling earth
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Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako

13.Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 178 reviews · from $35

Take a short ferry from Orakei Korako’s visitor center to a 2.5km geothermal boardwalk. Explore at your own pace, with boiling pools, mud vents, silica terraces, random geyser activity, and Ruatapu Cave. The visit lasts about two hours and suits independent walkers who prefer nature without a group guide.

“This was the BEST geothermal walk in the region! We were lucky enough to see 2 x geysers while there (they occur randomly from 35 mins to months apart) and one of only 2 geothermal caves in the world! If you only see one geothermal area - pick this one!”

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Taupo: Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave Entry Ticket - Starting at the visitor center near Taupo
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Taupo: Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave Entry Ticket

14.Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 158 reviews · 1 day · from $34

Take an on-demand ferry from the visitor center to Orakei Korako, then follow a marked 2.5-kilometer route through hot springs, mud pools, silica terraces, and up to 23 geysers. The self-guided visit takes about 1.5 hours and includes Ruatapu Cave, with time for a café stop before or after.

“what an absolutely phenomenal experience, well worth the month.inwould advise to wear trainers rather than flip-flops. take plenty of water to keep hydrated.”

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Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour - Whakarewarewa, a village shaped by steam and boiling water
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Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour

15.Rotorua Geothermal Living Maori Village Tour Whakarewarewa 6.5hours Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 145 reviews · from $166

Travel from Tauranga to Rotorua in a small air-conditioned vehicle, then tour Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village with a local guide. See geothermal cooking, steaming pools, and Pohutu geyser, enjoy a hangi-style lunch and 30-minute performance, and return via Rotorua, Te Puke, and Mount Maunganui.

“This was a wonderful tour, a long drive to the village but well worth it. Jack was full of information about the area and fun to be with. Excellent driver as well.”

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New in Geothermal Park Tours

★ 5.0Te Puia & Hells Gate incl. Mud Spa Experience Private TourFrom $7138 reviews
★ 4.0Private 2 Day Tour: Hobbiton, Waitomo, Rotorua Geothermal & Hamilton GardensFrom $2,0475 reviews
★ 4.4White Island, Mount Tarawera & Waimangu Volcanic …From $6155 reviews
★ 4.7Waimangu Valley Walk and Steaming Cliffs Kayak TourFrom $1326 reviews
★ 4.9Scenic Flight over Mt Tarawera & Waimangu ValleyFrom $23625 reviews
★ 4.9‘Thermal Path Tour’ Geothermal half day TourFrom $8915 reviews
★ 5.0Floatplane Flight with Orakei Korako LandingFrom $5056 reviews
★ 5.0Hobbiton Movie Set & Te Puia Geothermal Valley Private TourFrom $5674 reviews
★ 4.4HELL’S GATE Mud Spa, Rotorua – Group Day Tour Ex AucklandFrom $29810 reviews
★ 4.8Geothermal and Freshwater Combo Family Pools in New ZealandFrom $1815 reviews
★ 4.7WAIMANGU VOLCANIC VALLEY Half-Day TourFrom $1113 reviews
★ 4.7Taupo Day Trip with Orakei Korako or WaiotapuFrom $15335 reviews
★ 4.4Ex Auckland: TE PUIA Geothermal, Redwood & Blue SpringsFrom $2345 reviews
★ 5.0Waitomo Glow Worm Caves & Te Puia – Rotorua’s Geothermal ValleyFrom $2849 reviews
★ 5.0Rotorua Cultural & Geothermal Small Group Tour From AucklandFrom $29422 reviews

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