New Zealand · GEOTHERMAL TOURS

The 15 Best Geothermal Parks & Tours in New Zealand

74 tours  ·  from $18

Wai-O-Tapu, Hell’s Gate, Te Puia and the Taupo craters all sit on the same volcanic zone. The 15 below compare entry prices, geyser timings and which parks pair with a mud bath or a hangi afterwards.

Rotorua: Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park Entry Ticket - Start at Lady Knox Geyser, not the main entrance
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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

Visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland near Rotorua with a full-day entry ticket, self-guided map, parking, and access to the Lady Knox Geyser presentation. Arrive early for the eruption, then follow three walking loops past Champagne Pool, Artist’s Palette, Devil’s Bath, bubbling mud, native bush, and steaming pools.

“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 - A guided tour adds stories the map cannot provide
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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

At Hell’s Gate, about 15 minutes from Rotorua, you walk a marked geothermal route with a map or join an English-speaking guide such as Liam, Tee, Zia, or Ngati. Then comes a 20-minute mud bath, sulfur spa, cool plunge pool, and optional Māori carving.

“We loved it. It’s something you can’t experience anywhere else.”

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Whitianga: 2-Hour Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Cruise - From Whitianga Wharf into Mercury Bay
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Whitianga: 2-Hour Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Cruise

3.2-Hour Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 816 reviews · 2 hours · from $83

From Whitianga Wharf, ride a comfortable yellow and black tour boat along 12 kilometers of Mercury Bay coast. Your guide, often Sam or Justin, points out Cathedral Cove, Hahei, Lonely Bay, sea caves, blowholes, pinnacles, and volcanic rock. The boat stays small enough for close views, with cushioned seats and a sunshade.

“Fantastic experience with our guide Sam ensuring a safe and informative boat ride which far exceeded our expectations. What a beautiful bay!”

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Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas - Why the Geothermal Setting Matters
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Hell’s Gate Mud Bath & Spas

4.Hell’s Gate Mud Bath & Spas

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

At Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve near Rotorua, you cover your skin in mineral-rich mud, rinse off, then soak in sulfur pools. The total visit takes about an hour, though the mud portion is roughly 20 minutes. Bring old swimwear and a towel, or hire both onsite. A cold plunge finishes the experience.

“Super relaxing. Bring swimmers and towel or hire. Gorgeous scenery and a lovely walk if you feel energised.”

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Auckland: Hobbiton, Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu Day Tour - Waikato farmland and the road to Hobbiton
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Auckland: Hobbiton, Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu Day Tour

5.Hobbiton, Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 458 reviews · 9 - 13 hours · from $256

Travel from Auckland through Waikato farmland to Hobbiton, where a local guide leads you past 44 hobbit holes and into the Green Dragon Inn. Continue to Rotorua for city sights and Wai-O-Tapu’s colorful geothermal pools. Cheeky Kiwi guides such as Alfredo, Aled, Grant, and John are known for adding local stories and useful tips during the long drive.

“The tour was fantastic, and John is an amazing guide. He told us many interesting facts about the northern island and the region we were visiting. He also showed us some interesting places on the way to the main attractions. Our guide also did a great job of integrating our group, allowing me to meet some really cool and interesting people from other parts of the world. The main attractions were fantastic, especially the visit to Hobbiton, which was amazing. I stumbled upon Cheeky Kiwi's offer by chance, and this was my third trip in New Zealand organized by Cheeky Kiwi, and I will definitely use their services again in…”

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Hobbiton & Rotorua including Wai-O-Tapu - Small Group Tour from Auckland - Entering Hobbiton, where the films feel close
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Hobbiton & Rotorua including Wai-O-Tapu – Small Group Tour from Auckland

6.Hobbiton & Rotorua including Wai-O-Tapu – Small Group Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 450 reviews · from $266Top rated

Travel from Auckland in a small group of up to 15 people, with hotel pickup, bottled water, snacks, and a fully guided ride through Waikato. Visit Hobbiton for a 2.5-hour film-set tour and Green Dragon drink, then see Tirau, Rotorua, and Wai-O-Tapu’s Champagne Pool, mud pools, and steaming craters. Guides such as Simon, Mike, and John are known for lively local commentary.

“It’s a great trip in a comfy van. Only light snacks are provided. If you need more be sure and grab something to eat a Hobbiton.”

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Rotorua: Hells Gate Outdoor Mud Bath & Spa Experience - The 20-minute geothermal mud treatment
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Rotorua: Hells Gate Outdoor Mud Bath & Spa Experience

7.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 geothermal mud for 20 minutes, rinse off, then soak in sulphur pools. The complimentary cool plunge is a welcome finish. Bring swimwear and a towel, or rent both on site. An English-speaking host, changing rooms, showers, and wheelchair access make this easy to manage.

“The experience was a gift from a lovely daughter in law and was all that one could wish for, Lovely helpful staff and the mud? Well, it was warm and the only surprise was it was not the chocolate colour I was expecting but grey!”

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2 Hour Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Cruise with Shade Canopy - Cooks Beach and the surprising blow hole
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2 Hour Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Cruise with Shade Canopy

8.2 Hour Cathedral Cove and Volcanic Coast Cruise with Shade Canopy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · from $96

Set out from Whitianga Wharf with guides such as Sam, Justin, Liam, or Zinnia for a two-hour cruise through the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve. A shaded, cushioned boat carries up to 16 people past Lonely Bay, Cooks Blow Hole, Hahei, Hot Water Beach, and Orua Sea Cave. This is a sightseeing cruise, not a swimming or snorkeling trip.

“Awesome guide , great atmosphere , great information along the way! Thanks for a great trip highly recommend”

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Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua, New Zealand - Lady Knox Geyser at 10:15am
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Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua, New Zealand

9.Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua, New Zealand

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 379 reviews · from $29

Walk Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland at your own pace on marked trails through volcanic craters, steaming lakes, hot pools, and bubbling mud. Arrive by 10:15am for the Lady Knox Geyser presentation, then allow 1.5 to 3 hours for the park. The site has a café, toilets, picnic area, shop, map, and translated information.

“We enjoyed our time in the thermal park. So much to see! The walk was moderate, some places were more uneven and rocky with lots of steps, others were flat and shaded. Bring water and a hat for the sun! We did all three loops and it did take us right about 90 minutes as the park suggested.”

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The Hell's Gate Experience - Guided or self-guided: which option should you choose?
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The Hell’s Gate Experience

10.The Hell’s Gate Experience

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

At Hell’s Gate near Rotorua, walk through steaming mud pools, sulfur springs, forest, and Kakahi Falls with a guide or at your own pace. Add complimentary Māori carving, then spend time in the geothermal mud bath and sulfur spa. Guides such as Luke and Arihi bring local stories to the walk. Bring swimwear and a towel.

“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”

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From Rotorua: Wai O Tapu & Waimangu Eco Thermal Morning Tour - The drive from Rotorua to Wai-O-Tapu
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From Rotorua: Wai O Tapu & Waimangu Eco Thermal Morning Tour

11.Wai O Tapu & Waimangu Eco Thermal Morning Tour

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

Travel from central Rotorua in a comfortable small-group van with guides such as Clive, Phil, Shaun, or Clint. Walk through Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu, see Lady Knox Geyser erupt at 10:15 AM, learn how Mt Tarawera changed the region, and finish with lunch at Waimangu Cafe before a 1 PM return.

“Robbie our tour guide was very friendly, and made our tour feel like a walk with friends. He was very knowledgeable, and answered all of our questions.”

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Rotorua Lake: Deluxe Lake Spa Geothermal Hot Spring Bathing - Lake Rotorua is part of the treatment
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Rotorua Lake: Deluxe Lake Spa Geothermal Hot Spring Bathing

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

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

At Polynesian Spa’s Deluxe Lake Spa, soak in four shallow Rachel Spring alkaline pools and one Priest Spring acidic pool beside Lake Rotorua. You also get a cold plunge, heated recliners, indoor lounge, towels, lockers, toiletries, and hairdryers. The setting suits families and couples, though children must stay with an adult.

“Not crowded. Variety of pools to choose from. Clean washrooms. Cold plunge was a good conclusion.”

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Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+ - Why the acidic and alkaline labels matter
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Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+

13.Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 296 reviews · from $29

Spend a full day at Polynesian Spa’s Pavilion Pools in Rotorua, reserved for visitors aged 12 and over. Move between acidic Priest Spring pools, alkaline Rachel Spring pools, a deep exercise pool, and a foot reflexology walk. Towel, swimsuit, and locker hire are available, but not included.

“Really relaxing and not busy at all. Stayed a couple of hours.”

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Rotorua Hiking: Mt Tarawera Guided Volcanic Crater Experience - Waimangu and Rerewhakaaitu: useful context before the climb
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Rotorua Hiking: Mt Tarawera Guided Volcanic Crater Experience

14.Rotorua Hiking: Mt Tarawera Guided Volcanic Crater Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 283 reviews · from $121

Travel from Rotorua into the volcanic country around Mt Tarawera with a professional Kiwi guide. Walk to the crater rim, hear the story of the 1886 eruption, enjoy 360-degree views toward Waimangu Valley, and optionally run down the loose scoria into the crater. Guides have included Dan, Jack, Jesse, Hauri, Chucky, and Deborah.

“Absolutely fantastic! Dan was incredibly knowledgeable, sympathetic and dedicated to creating a memorable experience for everyone!”

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Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu - Starting at 587 Waimangu Road
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Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

15.Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

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

At Waimangu Volcanic Valley near Rotorua, you’ll follow self-guided trails through the world’s youngest geothermal system. Use the Wanderer Guide or free app to understand Frying Pan Lake, Inferno Crater Lake, Lake Rotomahana, and the Tarawera eruption. Choose a shorter or longer route, then take the internal shuttle back uphill.

“Great self guided walk. We absolutely loved it. The only critic I have is that our appt was at 3 PM and they told us the last bus stopping at bus stop 3 leave at 4:35 which cut our experience short as we had to rush our walk to make sure we make it to the bus. They should keep it running till 5.”

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New in Geothermal Tours

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