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Whakarewarewa Valley
- This geothermal reserve and Māori cultural center is located in the Whakarewarewa Valley, just a short drive from the city center.
www.touristsecrets.com/travel-guide/adventure/exploring-the-rotorua-geysers-in-new-zealand/Exploring the Rotorua geysers in New Zealand | TouristSecrets
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Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is a spectacular showcase of New Zealand’s most colourful and unique geothermal elements sculpted by thousands of years of geothermal activity. HOURS We are open seven days a week, 8:30am - 4:30pm, with the final admission at 3pm.
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GEOTHERMAL PARK. Sculptured out of volcanic activity and...
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Nestled amidst the lush landscapes of New Zealand’s North Island, Rotorua beckons travelers with its enchanting geothermal wonders. As you set foot in this geothermal haven, you will be captivated by the mystical allure of hot springs and geysers that define the region’s unique charm.
The natural geothermal features in Rotorua, particularly the geysers and hot springs, make up one of the country’s foremost tourist attractions, with Whakarewarewa Valley having the largest remaining concentration of geysers in New Zealand.
- The Rotorua Geothermal Parks – Options
- Best Geothermal Park in Rotorua – Overall Result
- Orakei Korako Geothermal Attraction – “The Hidden Valley”
- Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley
- Te Puia
- Whakarewarewa
- Difference – Whakarewarewa Or Te Puia?
- Craters of The Moon Thermal Walkway
- Other Geothermal Attractions in Rotorua
Geothermal Rotorua – intro
Rotorua is often the name used to refer to the whole geothermal area because it is home to some of the most famous parks. However it is part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone that extends from White Island to Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park, South of Taupo. Rotorua is considered the birthplace of New Zealand’s Tourism because one of the main geothermal features used to be the magnificent Pink and White terraces. Sadly there were destroyed by the eruption of Mount Tarawera in the late 19th cent...
The choice of geothermal parks in Rotorua
With all that volcanic activity, the region between Rotorua and Taupo is home to many geothermal parks. And they are all very different from one another. So if you love geothermal features as much as I do, I recommend to spend 3 days in the area and visit all of them! (I did 2 days in Rotorua as I was driving South and 1 day in Taupo as I was driving back North). You can see my volcanic wonders itinerary suggestion. But if you are limited in time, I am showing you in this article the differen...
Volcanic Rotorua – Video
And below is a short video to give you an idea of what it looks like to be visiting all those parks in geothermal Rotorua:
My top 3 Rotorua geothermal parks
If you don’t want to read the whole article my top 3 are: 1. Orakei Korako– for the incredible multicolor terrace and the different viewpoints 2. Wai-O-Tapu for the intense single color features (Devil’s bath, Champagne pool…) – see my article 3. WaimanguVolcanic Valley for the variety and the great walk away from the crowds However if a geyser is very important to you Te Puis has a great one. And if you want to combine with Maori culture, head to Te Puia or Whakarewarewa.
Geothermal Parks in Rotorua – Map
Below is a map listing my selection of geothermal parks in the region of Rotorua -Taupo to help you get oriented and plan. Note: Rotorua to Taupo = 1h drive Practical maps including all my favorite parks can be found in my eBooks, to help you plan an unforgettable road trip:
How to visit the geothermal parks?
1. DRIVING – The easiest option to explore those parks is to have a car, especially for Orakei Korako. 2. BUS – However if you are staying in Rotorua you can take the bus to Te Puia and Whakarewarewa – see routes and timetables 3. TOURS – You can find day tours from Rotorua that take you to several parks in a day such as Wai-o-tapu, Te Puia and Waimangu – Check out program and book
For me there is no question. Orakei Korako is my absolute favorite geothermal park in the Rotorua – Taupo region! 1. Rotorua to Orakei Korako –1h drive 2. Taupo to Orakei Korako –30min 3. Price –39 NZD 4. Access – Opening hours – 8 am to 4pm in Winter and 4:30pm in Summer Off the beaten path – Easy drive, large carpark Small boat on demand to cross...
Wai-O-Tapu is the most famous of the Rotorua volcanic Parks mostly because of the Champagne pool 1. Rotorua to Wai-O-Tapu –30min 2. Taupo to Wai-O-Tapu –40min 3. Price –32,50 NZD 4. Access – Opening hours – Summer 8:30 am to 6pm / Winter 8:30 am to 5pm Easy road, close to the main one Large carpark + carpark for Lady Knox geyser (4min drive from vi...
Waimangu was a pleasant surprise. For those looking for an enjoyable hike in Nature with well explained geothermal features along the way, this is a great option 1. Rotorua to Waimangu –25min 2. Taupo to Waimangu –45min 3. Price –42 NZD (for walk and bus) – more if you wan to cruise Lake Rotomahana at the end 4. Access – Opening hours – 8:30 am to ...
Te Puia’s main Geothermal attraction is the Pohutu geyser. But you can also enjoy a kiwi bird house, a Maori show and a lot of Maori arts 1. Rotorua to Te Puia –5min 2. Taupo to Te Puia – 1h 3. Price –56 NZD without the show 4. Access – Opening hours – 8am to 5pm Very large carpark (do not enter at the carpark of the big entrance, this is only for ...
Whakarewarewa is very close to Rotorua. It is famous for its living Maori village. This is a great place to combine Maori culture and geothermal activity. 1. Rotorua to Whakarewarewa –5min 2. Taupo to Whakarewarewa –1h 3. Price –45 NZD (entry + show) – but you can also get geothermal lunch 4. Access – Opening hours – 8h30 am to 5pm You can call it ...
Note that things can get confusing between Whakarewarewa and Te Puia because: 1. You can see the Pohutu geyser in the distance from Whakarewarewa, but it is actually in Te Puia Park, 2. And Te Puia is located in the Whakarewarewa Valley So they play with those and confuse you to try to get the most visitors (both of them in my opinion). Those are 2...
If you are looking for something completely different to add variety to your geothermal experiences, head to the Craters of the Moon. 1. Rotorua to Craters of the moon –1h 2. Taupo to Craters of the moon –10min 3. Price –8 NZD 4. Access – Opening hours – 8:30am to 5pm (Winter ) and 6pm (Summer) Easy drive, large carpark Snacks and toilets at the e...
Free geothermal parks in Rotorua
There are no free parks, but there are a few areas where you can see the geothermal activity that are free to access especially around the Rotorua lake: 1. Along Hatupatu Drive near Sulphur point – 38°08’05.4″S 176°15’47.8″E 2. Kuirau Park (public park) with a small lake and mud pools – 38°08’01.9″S 176°14’41.7″E 3. You can also enjoy some hikes on volcanoes
Geothermal Spas
It is not my thing but Rotorua is home to famous spas using the geothermal activities around. For example: 1. The Polynesian Spa right by the lake: mineral hot pools, cold plunge pools, heated recliners… – pre-book your experience 2. Hell’s gate with mud baths and other spa experience – pre-book in your own currency 3. Or near Taupo the Warakei terraces & thermal health spa – note that the terraces are were not made by nature
Smaller geothermal walks
1. Warakei geothermal walk – This is a small walk behind a cafe – path is small and taken over by nature. 10NZD 40min- small features to see (not to be mixed up with the Warakei terraces) 2. Tokaanu thermal walk – 20min walk with hot pools and pud pools (South of Lake Taupo)
- Whakarewarewa geothermal valley. Located in central Rotorua this is the easiest of the geothermal parks to get to on foot or using public transport from your city accommodation.
- Waimangu. Waimangu is a park but is the least busy of the 5 and once you are out on the walking tracks it can feel more like you are out in the New Zealand bush discovering the dramatic geothermal features as you go.
- Wai-o-tapu. Wai-o-tapu is another personal favourite and one we highly recommend to friends and overseas visitors if they only have time to see one and want to incorporate seeing some of New Zealand’s natural beauty with the wonders of geothermal activity.
- Hell’s Gate (Tikitere) If bubbling mud fascinates you then Tikitere or Hell’s Gate is the best spot to see that. The Maori name, Tikitere, comes from a rather sad local legend about a mothers grief when a Maori Princess commits suicide over domestic abuse.
Jun 13, 2023 · 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.
Step into the enchanting world of Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland where the earth breathes and nature paints its masterpiece. Here, spouting geysers, effervescent mud pools, and vibrant sinter terraces form a spectacle of natural artistry across the landscape.
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