New Zealand · GEOTHERMAL & HOT POOLS
The 15 best geothermal & hot pools tours you can book right now, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Full-day Wai-O-Tapu entry near Rotorua, including Lady Knox Geyser around 10:30am, plus self-guided geothermal walks.
“What a fantastic place to visit. really enjoyed the experience. Easy to book on the app, overall we highly recommend a visit.”
Auckland day tour that strings together Hobbiton, Rotorua sights, and Wai-O-Tapu geothermal wonder, with guided stops and snacks included.
“Simon was great. He helped the occasion flow without hassles or problems. Really enjoyed the day.”
Small-group Hobbiton and Rotorua day trip from Auckland with a Green Dragon drink, Wai-O-Tapu geothermal sights, snacks, and hotel pickup.
“If you are a Lord of the Rings and/or Hobbit fan then this tour is a must do! The Hobbiton film set is absolutely beautiful. The tour there is quite lengthy and really worth it. The film set is also on its way to Rotorua where you can visit many attractions like Waiotapu. Being able to walk on your own and enjoy the scenery at your pace was great. The champagne pool was absolutely beautiful. Simon was fantastic! He made sure to give us a stop on the drive to/from Auckland each way to break up the drive a bit. It was a long day of driving for him but…”
Rotorua’s Hell’s Gate Mud Bath and Spa: 20 min thermal mud, sulphur pools, cool plunge, reserve views. $53 per person.
“The mud bath was so relaxing! I then went to the hot pools and kicked back for a bit. Ended the morning with a cold plunge and that was truly invigorating! would recommend”
Wai-O-Tapu near Rotorua delivers technicolor geothermal pools, the 10:15am Lady Knox geyser show, and easy self-guided trails.
“Fun and interest place with some unique pools and formations. I’d say if you have been to Yellowstone you may be underwhelmed, but there were enough different things to make the short drive worth it if you are in Rotorua. Lady Knox gRead more”
Adults-only Pavilion Pools in Rotorua with seven mineral hot pools, a deep stand-up pool, and a foot reflexology walk for calm recovery.
“What a wonderful venue, this facility is an experience for any traveler to enjoy. We loved it so much we made the effort to drive down twice from Tauranga. It was one of the highlights of our trip. Thank you.”
Half-day Rotorua geothermal tour with guided walks at Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu, plus the Lady Knox geyser show at 10:15 AM.
“The tour to through the volcano valley was amazing! Our tour guide Clint was so informative and friendly!”
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa lets you roam 22 outdoor mineral pools and slides on one flexible all-day pass in New Zealand.
“Everything worked very well, the admission and the pools. The city offers good restaurants and a forest for fast and easy trackings.”
Rotorua’s Hell’s Gate geothermal walk shows boiling mud, fumaroles, and hot waterfalls, with optional guided tours and Māori carving.
“Our tour guide was Liam and I tell you what he was the best tour guide I have ever had. If I were to come back again I want Liam to be my tour guide again. He was very informative, friendly and humorous. Just a very lovely character.”
Rotorua’s Big Four in one day, with guided Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu walks, Lady Knox at 10:15, plus Te Puia culture.
“Very interesting and our guide had time for everyone who a question”
Self-guided Orakei Korako geothermal walk in Taupo with ferry crossings and Ruatapu Cave sights, plus up to 23 natural geysers.
“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!”
Adults-only solar thermal pools in Methven with a swim-up bar, robes, and Southern Alps views. 2 hours from Christchurch area.
“The visit to the thermal pools was fantastic. The chance the relax, detox and rejuvenate was well worth the drive. It was an amazing experience.”
Small-group Rotorua day trip from Auckland: Wai-O-Tapu geysers, Te Puia Pōhutu eruption, and a haka cultural welcome. 12 hours.
“This was an amazing day! Our leader David was an outstanding leader-helpful, informative, and thoughtful. Cannot recommend this highly enough!”
Rotorua geothermal and Māori culture from Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, with Whakarewarewa village, Hangi lunch, and a 30-min concert.
“Saskia was an excellent guide. See the Maori village was very interesting. We enjoyed the meal and the entertainment.”
Small-group geothermal and Māori culture day trip from Tauranga to Rotorua, with Te Puia geysers, mud pools, and a cultural show.
“We had a fantastic day with Nicolle. Touring Te Puia was fascinating from the initial welcome ceremony and entertainment, to seeing the geysers, to seeing kiwi birds. On the way home we stopped at a redwood forest that was so peaceful. A wonderful excursion!”
From the fiords to the geothermal belt, sorted by what you want to do with the day.
