Geothermal and volcanic experiences

Geothermal and volcanic experiences in New Zealand

New Zealand sits on the edge of two tectonic plates, which is why the ground steams, the mud bubbles and the hills are volcanoes. The most geothermal activity is in and around Rotorua, with hot springs, volcanic walks and crater hikes scattered across both islands. Here's how to find them.

Hells Gate mud baths and geothermal park

Hells Gate is 20 minutes from Rotorua in Tikitere, and it's the place to get covered in mud. The mud bath and spa experience includes mud baths, sulphur spas and a cool plunge pool. Prefer to look around? The geothermal park walk can be guided or self-guided, and the park bills itself as New Zealand's most active geothermal reserve, with the largest hot waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere and the country's only mud volcano.

Geysers and Māori culture at Te Puia

Te Puia in Rotorua is home to Pohutu Geyser. The 90 minute Te Ra guided experience takes you to see it, and the geothermal tour and cultural experience adds a 90 minute valley walk, bubbling mud, steam vents and a cultural performance with poi and haka. The premium tour with tasting includes sweetcorn cooked in a boiling ngawha.

For the evening, choose the Māori cultural night with hāngī dinner or the geothermal valley light trail, ten illuminated scenes along the valley. See more Māori culture experiences.

Hot pools and hot springs

Soaking is the easiest way to enjoy the geothermal side of the country. In Rotorua, the restorative bathing at Wai Ariki is an hour across five lake view pools for ages 16 and up. At Polynesian Spa, the Deluxe Lake Spa has five mineral pools, four alkaline and one acidic, and suits all ages. The Pavilion Pools are for ages 12 and over.

Some hot springs can only be reached by water. The jet boat ride to the Lake Rotoiti hot pools and the guided kayak to Manupirua Springs both reach pools that have no road. Further afield, there are Hanmer Springs thermal pools in the South Island, and an overnight stay with a private spa at Maruia Hot Springs in the Lewis Pass National Reserve. Browse more spa packages and health and wellness experiences.

Geothermal day trips from Auckland

No time to stay in Rotorua? Day tours run from Auckland with transfers included. Choose the Hells Gate geothermal and mud spa day tour, the Te Puia geothermal valley tour, or the full day Wai-O-Tapu, Redwood Forest and Blue Springs tour. Browse more things to do in Auckland.

Volcano hikes, craters and islands

For the volcanoes themselves, the Mt Tarawera crater hike starts with a 4x4 ride to the Craters Edge, then hikes into the crater. It's a four hour trip, open to ages seven and up, and it needs good fitness. The Tarawera and lakes duck tour shows you the volcano from three lakes. Near Rotorua, the Lake Rotomahana cruise and geothermal walk adds a 4km walk through what's described as the world's youngest geothermal area.

Elsewhere, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing transfers take you through the volcanic landscape of the Central Plateau, and in Auckland the return ferry to Rangitoto Island takes 25 minutes to reach the city's own volcano. Explore Rotorua, Ruapehu and the wider Central North Island.

Frequently asked questions

Where can you see geysers in New Zealand?

Pohutu Geyser at Te Puia in Rotorua is the best known. Several tours and cultural evenings there include a view of it, along with bubbling mud and steam vents.

How long should you stay in a mud bath?

Hells Gate advises limiting a mud bath to 20 minutes to avoid overheating or dehydration. It isn't recommended for visitors with heart conditions, so check the product page before booking.

Can kids visit New Zealand's hot pools and geothermal parks?

Often, with limits. The Polynesian Spa Deluxe Lake Spa suits all ages, the Hells Gate mud baths start from age 2.5, and the Wai Ariki restorative bathing is for ages 16 and up. Age rules vary by venue, so check each product page.