Are There Hot SpringsAre there hot springs in New Zealand?
Yes, especially on the North Island. Rotorua and Taupō sit in a volcanic zone full of hot pools, from free streams such as Kerosene Creek to spas like the Polynesian Spa, and the South Island has alpine pools at Hanmer Springs.
On the Coromandel Peninsula, Hot Water Beach lets you dig your own pool in the sand at low tide. Further afield, backcountry springs such as Welcome Flat on the West Coast and the Kaweka pools in Hawke's Bay reward a long walk.
One rule applies everywhere: keep your head above water in geothermal pools. New Zealand's health authorities warn that a rare but deadly amoeba can live in untreated hot water and enter through the nose.
New Zealand hot springs in brief
New Zealand's hot pools range from free streams in the bush to big family complexes, and most of them are in the North Island's volcanic centre.
- Local name
- Hot pools
- Free soaks
- Kerosene Creek, Hot Water Beach, Otumuheke
- Swimwear
- Required at commercial pools
- Best season
- All year
- Safety rule
- Keep your head above water
- Hot spot
- Rotorua and Taupō
- Listed here
- 27 hot springs in 9 regions
Best hot springs in New Zealand
The hot pools most visitors plan a trip around, from spas to free streams.
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Spa
Polynesian Spa
Rotorua, Bay of PlentyA lakeside spa in central Rotorua, fed by both acidic and alkaline springs, with family and adults-only pools.
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Thermal resort
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa
Hanmer Springs, CanterburyThe South Island's best-known hot pools: an alpine complex with sulphur pools, slides and a spa.
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Beach
Hot Water Beach
Coromandel Peninsula, WaikatoHot water rises through the sand, so you dig your own pool around low tide. The surf here is dangerous for swimming.
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Natural
Kerosene Creek
Near Rotorua, Bay of PlentyA free hot stream with a small waterfall pool in the bush, a short walk from the road.
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Natural
Otumuheke Stream (Spa Thermal Park)
Taupō, WaikatoA free hot stream that runs into the cold Waikato River, so you can sit where the two mix.
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Hot pools
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
Near Rotorua, Bay of PlentyPools fed by a boiling spring in a quiet valley, with private tubs and a campground.
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Spa
Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas
Near Rotorua, Bay of PlentyOutdoor mud baths and sulphur pools beside a steaming geothermal reserve.
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Public pool
Tokaanu Thermal Pools
Tokaanu, WaikatoInexpensive public and private mineral pools at the south end of Lake Taupō.
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Natural
Welcome Flat Hot Pools
Copland Track, West CoastBackcountry pools beside a DOC hut, an 18 km walk in, with mountain views.
Hot springs in New Zealand map
All 27 hot springs we list in New Zealand, shaped by type. Open the larger map to zoom in.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Famous hot springs in New Zealand
All 27 hot pools we list in New Zealand, A to Z, from Rotorua spas to backcountry springs.
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Thermal resort
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa, New Zealand
Big alpine complex with sulphur pools, waterslides and a spa, about 90 minutes from Christchurch.
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Spa
Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas, New Zealand
Geothermal park near Rotorua with outdoor mud baths, sulphur pools and a walk past steaming vents.
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Beach
Hot Water Beach, New Zealand
Beach where hot water seeps up through the sand; dig your own pool around low tide. Free.
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Natural
Kaitoke Hot Springs, New Zealand
Sulphurous creek pools on Great Barrier Island, about a 40-minute walk through wetland bush. Free.
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Beach
Kawhia Hot Springs (Te Puia), New Zealand
Black-sand beach on the west coast where you dig a hot pool around low tide. Free.
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Natural
Kerosene Creek, New Zealand
Free hot stream and waterfall pool in the bush south of Rotorua, a short walk from the road.
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Natural
Mangatainoka Hot Springs, New Zealand
Backcountry hot pools in Kaweka Forest Park, a tramp of three to four hours. Free.
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Natural
Mangatutu Hot Springs, New Zealand
Two free hot tubs beside the Mohaka River at a DOC campsite, at the end of a rough gravel road.
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Resort
Maruia Hot Springs, New Zealand
Alpine hot springs at Lewis Pass with mineral pools, private baths, a sauna and rooms.
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Natural
Nga Hua o Morere, New Zealand
Saltwater hot springs in a rainforest reserve, with public and private pools run by DOC and local iwi.
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Public pools
Nga Waiariki Ngawha Springs, New Zealand
Māori-owned hot springs near Kaikohe with many mineral pools at different temperatures, in two-hour sessions.
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Private tubs
Onsen Hot Pools, New Zealand
Private cedar hot tubs looking over the Shotover River canyon near Queenstown; book ahead.
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Spa
Opuke Thermal Pools & Spa, New Zealand
Heated pools near Methven with family, adults-only and private areas, about an hour from Christchurch.
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Natural
Otumuheke Stream (Spa Thermal Park), New Zealand
Free hot stream that tumbles into the Waikato River in Taupō, with small rock pools and a waterfall.
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Public pool
Palm Springs Geothermal Pools, New Zealand
Geothermal pools at Parakai, northwest of Auckland, with a toddler pool and barbecue areas.
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Spa
Polynesian Spa, New Zealand
Lakeside spa in central Rotorua with many mineral pools, fed by both acidic and alkaline springs.
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Private tubs
Secret Spot Hot Tubs, New Zealand
Private cedar hot tubs beside a stream in the Rotorua forest, with saunas and cold plunges.
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Thermal park
Taupō DeBretts Hot Springs, New Zealand
Hot springs water park in Taupō with mineral pools, hydroslides, private pools and a holiday park.
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Private tubs
Te Aroha Mineral Spas, New Zealand
Private mineral tubs in the historic Te Aroha Domain, fed by the Mokena Geyser.
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Hotel pool
Te Puia Hot Springs Hotel, New Zealand
Heritage hotel on the East Coast with a natural mineral pool, plus backpacker rooms and camping.
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Hot pools
Tekapo Springs, New Zealand
Heated outdoor pools above Lake Tekapo with lake and mountain views, plus a day spa.
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Spa
The Lost Spring, New Zealand
Adults-only day spa in tropical gardens, filled from a geothermal bore hundreds of metres deep.
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Public pool
Tokaanu Thermal Pools, New Zealand
Public and private mineral pools at the south end of Lake Taupō, with a free thermal walk.
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Spa
Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa, New Zealand
Māori cultural spa on the Rotorua lakefront with mineral pools and saunas; adults only, book ahead.
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Hot pools
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, New Zealand
Pools fed by a boiling spring in a valley south of Rotorua, with private tubs and a campground.
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Hot pools
Wairakei Terraces, New Zealand
Pools below man-made silica terraces just north of Taupō, for ages 14 and over.
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Natural
Welcome Flat Hot Pools, New Zealand
Backcountry pools at a DOC hut on the Copland Track, an 18 km walk in; book the hut ahead.
New Zealand hot springs: questions and answers
Are there free hot springs in New Zealand?
Yes. Kerosene Creek near Rotorua, Otumuheke Stream in Taupō and Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel are all free, as are backcountry pools like Welcome Flat (where you pay for the hut).
Why should you keep your head above water in hot pools?
A rare amoeba that causes amoebic meningitis can live in untreated geothermal water and enter through the nose. Keeping your head out of the water protects you.
What are the best hot pools in Rotorua?
The Polynesian Spa is the classic, Wai Ariki is the newest spa, and Kerosene Creek and Waikite Valley are favourites just south of the city.
When can you dig a pool at Hot Water Beach?
In the two hours either side of low tide. Bring a spade or hire one nearby.
Are there hot springs on the South Island?
Yes. Hanmer Springs and Maruia are the main ones, plus backcountry pools at Welcome Flat and private tubs near Queenstown.
Do you need to book hot pools in New Zealand?
Many spas and private tubs ask you to book a time slot, especially in summer. Natural pools can't be booked.
Plan your New Zealand hot springs trip
Seasons
All year. Commercial pools are open daily, and a winter soak in Hanmer Springs or Tekapo is a highlight. Backcountry pools are best in the warmer months, and beach pools only work around low tide.
Entry fees
Natural pools such as Kerosene Creek, Otumuheke and Hot Water Beach are free. Commercial pools charge entry, private tubs cost more, and many spas now ask you to book a time slot, especially in summer and school holidays.
Access and travel
Rotorua and Taupō are about three hours' drive from Auckland and full of hot pools. Hanmer Springs is about 90 minutes from Christchurch. Backcountry pools need proper tramping gear, and huts such as Welcome Flat must be booked with DOC.
Rules and etiquette for hot springs in New Zealand
Commercial pools have simple rules; natural pools need a little more care.
- Stay on paths in thermal areasThe ground can be thin over boiling water and mud.
- No soap in natural poolsKeep streams clean and take your rubbish home.
- Leave valuables at homeCar break-ins happen at some roadside hot pools, so don't leave bags in sight.
- Watch the tide and surfAt Hot Water Beach the pools only work near low tide, and the rips are strong.
- Wear a swimsuitSwimwear is expected at commercial pools and most natural ones.
- Keep your head above waterHealth authorities warn of amoebic meningitis in geothermal water: no diving, jumping or ducking under.
Pictures of hot springs in New Zealand
Photos of Polynesian Spa, Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa, Hot Water Beach, Kerosene Creek, Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas and Welcome Flat Hot Pools, all hot springs in this guide. We only use photos whose license allows reuse and credit the photographer under each one. The full credits are on our photo credits page.
Sources and verification
Information here was checked on against the sources below.
- HealthEd (New Zealand): Keep your head above water (amoebic meningitis advice)
- Te Ara: Thermal pools and spas (history and safety)
- Tourism New Zealand (official tourism site)
Hot springs elsewhere in Oceania
Every other country in Oceania with a hot springs guide.