The colours of Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland near Rotorua can only be described as ethereal. Mother Nature really is phenomenal!
You don’t have to travel far within Rotorua to spot geothermal activity; it’s everywhere. There’s mud pools in the parks, steam billowing out under sidewalks, and even in patches and pools beside the lake.
But experiencing the dramatic colours, smells and sounds of under-earth activity at Waiotapu is the best place to really get an understanding of what is going on…
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Wai o Tapu:
- About Wai o Tapu
- Visiting the sight
- Highlights of Wai-o-Tapu
- Useful details
- Getting there
- Find Wai O Tapu
- Read more about travel in New Zealand
About Wai O Tapu, Rotorua
The name Wai o Tapu is Maori, named by the indigenous people of New Zealand. In the most direct translation, it means Sacred Waters.
So what is Wai o Tapu like?
Wai o Tapu is part of an 18km active geothermal park, located on the perimeter of a collapsed volcanic crater (the Reporoa Caldera).
The original crater of the park was formed over 230,000 years ago. Today, the site is one of the most extensive geothermal systems in New Zealand
Visiting Wai o Tapu will give you the opportunity to walk uninterrupted around the park and watch, hear and learn about the geothermal activity that is going on.
Visiting Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua
It is recommend you allow at least 90 minutes for your visit to Wai O Tapu. The park is designed with walking trails around the park, consisting of three separate paths.
If you haven’t got long, or you aren’t up for a hike, the first loop of the trail is a short 1.35km (0.85 miles) and takes you to the most popular stops in the park.
The second and third loops of the park make the total walking distance 3.05km (1.9 miles).
A guide map to the park is given with purchase of your ticket which includes a map with numbered markers for 25 specific geothermal features around the trails.
- Tip: The three loops are marked with different colours (red, orange and yellow).
Highlights of Wai O Tapu, Rotorua
Make sure to check each of these out when you visit Waiotapu.
1. Champagne Pool
This is parks most popular attraction. It’s unreal in colour with vivid greens and orange hues in the water and rock surrounding the pool.
The pool is 65m around and sits at a temperature of about 74 °C.
2. Boiling Mud Pools
You won’t be able to figure out if you can smell, hear or feel the warmth of these boiling pools of mud as you get close…
The sounds are unreal, coming from metres down inside the earth.
3. Lake Ngakoro
The entire water of Lake Ngakoro appears in a bright green colour, formed by a volcanic eruption over 700 years ago.
The lake is the furthest point on the walk around the park (about 45 minutes from the start).
4. The Devil’s Bath
The Devil’s Bath is the last stop on the trail (it can be viewed on each of the three walking trails). This was definitely my favourite spot in the park. The bright neon green colour is like nothing I’ve never seen!
TIPS – Things to know before you go
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua, New Zealand, is open seven days a week, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with the last admission at 3:00 PM.
How long do you need to visit Waiotapu?
We spent a little over two hours exploring the park with the kids.
TICKETS – Cost to visit Waiotapu, Rotorua
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland entry costs $45 for adults (16+), $15 for children (5-15), and is free for infants (0-4). Family tickets (2 adults + 2 children) are $105, and tickets are valid for 3 months from the date of purchase.
Admission
- Adult (16+): $45
- Child (5-15): $15
- Infant (0-4): Free
- Family (2 adults + 2 children): $105
- Family (2 adults + 3 children): $105
- Last entry: 3:00 PM
- Ticket Validity: 3 months from date of purchase
Payment
Note the park does not accept cash payment for admission.
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is a CASHLESS site; so tickets are sold by electronic payment only. All major credit cards and EFTPOS are available.
- Tip: Find all further details on the WaiOTapu site.
Toilets
There are no toilet facilites on the trails within the park.
Instead, use the toilet facilities in the WaiOTapu Information Centre after buying a ticket. The toilets are just beside the entrance.
GETTING THERE – How to get to WaiOTapu
The easiest way to get to WaiOTapu is by car. If you have a rental car in New Zealand this makes it easy to drive yourself to the site.
Driving from Rotorua
Travel south along the Thermal Explorer Highway (SH 5) towards Taupo for 27km (20 mins drive). When you reach the Waiotapu Tavern, turn left opposite the tavern and travel 2km to reach the WaiOTapu park entrance.
- Rotorua to Waiotapu: 24 min (29.4 km) via State Hwy 5
Driving from Taupo
Travel north along the Thermal Explorer Highway (SH 5) towards Rotorua for 53km (40 mins drive). Turn right where signposted and drive a further 1km to the Wai-O-Tapu park entrance.
- Taupo to Waiotapu: 40 min (52.3 km) via State Hwy 5
LOCATION – WaiOTapu, Rotorua
- Address: 201 Waiotapu Loop Road, Waiotapu, Bay of Plenty, 3073, New Zealand.
Find WaiOTapu on the map
ACCOMMODATION – Where to stay in Rotorua
There is a great range of accommodation in Rotorua and close to the lakefront and main town area.
We loved our stay at Rydges Rotorua! The hotel location is amazing with stunning views over the thermal valley.
- Rydges Rotorua
This is a great pick for families with a swimming pool and hot tubs, kids Play Zone. The in-house restaurant has a delicious buffet dinner and breakfast.
- Gemini Lodge
Chalets with multiple bedrooms well set up for families.
- Kings on Peace
One of the top reviewed properties on Booking.com.
- JetPark Hotel Rotorua
Another top pick for families with great deals for kids to stay and dine free with a paying adult.
- Fairway Cottages
These are 2-bedroom apartments just out of town.
Where to stay in Rotorua with a motorhome or camper van
One of the best ways to see New Zealand is by road with a camper van or motorhome. In Rotorua there are two options in town. Overnight parking is only allowed at the sites listed below.
Free site: Government Gardens Motorhome and Campervan Parking Area
- Location: Hinemoa Street, opposite Polynesian Spa
- Type: Free Site (Council)
- Park4Night: #47400
- Cost: Free
- Facilities: No toilets, showers or water provided
About: Only self-contained campervans and motorhomes permitted to stay overnight. Space for a maximum of 17 campervans/motorhomes. Maximum stay is 2 consecutive nights per calendar month.
Free site: Hamurana Reserve, Lake Rotorua
- Location: Hanurama Reserve
- Type: Free Site (Council)
- Cost: Free
- Facilities: Public toilets available, water tap with drinkable water
About: Only self-contained campervans and motorhomes permitted to stay overnight. This is a council-owned space permitted for overnight stay with space for a maximum of 10 camper vans/motorhomes. Maximum stay is 2 consecutive nights per calendar month. There is a food preparation area (no hot water), barbecue and children’s playground on the nearby reserve.
The spaces to stay overnight with a motorhome in Rotorua have limited spaces are available. Note that freedom camping is not permitted on any other parks or neighbourhood recreation reserves.
Read more about travel in New Zealand
- Franz Josef Or Fox Glacier?
- Family Friendly Walks In Franz Josef.
- Putaruru Blue Springs South Waikato.
- Wairere Falls Walk Near Matamata.
- 5 Things To Do In Russell Bay Of Islands.
- Visiting Milford Sound In Winter.
- Hooker Valley Track Mt Cook.
- Hiking Roys Peak Track In Wanaka With Kids.
More about travel planning for New Zealand and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, adventure ticket, local tours and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Make sure you have insurance before visiting Waiotapu and Rotorua, New Zealand!