Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua, New Zealand
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Thousands of Years in the Making a Wonderland of Stunning Geothermal Activity. The technical description for this remarkable place is that it’s part of an 18-sq. km active geothermal park at the northern perimeter of the Reporoa Caldera (a collapsed volcanic crater) formed 230,000 years ago within the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The ‘wow’ factor is much in evidence at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, the place we love to share with visitors from all corners of the globe. Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland ‘one of the most surreal places on earth’ so naturally it’s high on the list of Rotorua’s must-see attractions. A place to marvel at nature’s artistic splendour, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is also committed to providing a safe visitor experience.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please wear comfortable walking shoes
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is a cashless site. All major credit cards and EFTPOS are available.
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is Smoke-Free within the visitor center and geothermal park
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Visitors come to Wai-O-Tapu to marvel at the hot pools, volcanic craters and steaming fissures of this otherworldly area. Explore the natural geothermal environment on your own. Walk along well-marked paths that take you to brilliantly colored steaming pools that bubble and hiss with thermal activity. Hear a presentation given daily at 10:15am when the Lady Knox Geyser erupts. Admire the native bush along your walk. Our comprehensive guide map provided with your ticket contains a great deal of useful information about the features within the park. There are currently translations available in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian and Czech. Expect to spend between 45-90 minutes at Wai-O Tapu with plenty of time to take great photos of the spectacular scenery. If you want to rest or grab a bite to eat, there's a cafe, souvenir shop, picnic area and lookout point near the visitor center.
What‘s Included
Translations
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Meeting points
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
201 Waiotapu Loop Road, Rd 3 Rotorua New Zealand
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Options
Admission Ticket
Duration: 2 hours
Reviews
403 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Incredible and unique scenery- well worth the visit!
Adventure48479334427,,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This experience is other-worldly and entirely unique. Utterly amazing and well worth the visit.
Beautiful but crowded
painnurse,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00This is a beautiful place. Has three trails. We did them all. My only issue is that it is full of people (of course including us) and cars lining up to get into the carpark. I suggest you buy tickets online as that was faster to get in. Has a nice cafe inside the gift shop but it was so crowded and it was not a weekend.
Beautiful easy walk....
Mary M,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful easy walk. Enjoyed the variety of things to see. We didn’t join a guided tour but that probably would have been more interesting and informative. Didn’t see the lady geyser because we wanted to avoid the crowds and traffic jam.
Champagne bubbles and sounds of thermal pools
kathybB3598BB,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Well worth the visit . Super cool to hear and see all the pools and champagne bubbles ! The neon pool was neat to see so bright with the sunshine . Recommended excursion as admission includes the geyser going off .
Enjoyable views but way too many people.
Voyager48981410324,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Was most enjoyable, viewing everything, but was way too busy. Understand that they want to maximize their profits, but they need to limit how many people visit, maybe introduce different visiting times and not just a free for all.
So worth it
Zoya K,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This place is so worth it and soooo under rated. It's so much breathtaking natural beauty. We absolutely left amazed. Wow wow wow.
Make sure to bring...
Lorenzo S,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Make sure to bring comfortable shoes, a hat/umbrella in case of sun, and ample sunblock because it can get hot! There's a decently long walk but it's worth it for the sights and all the fascinating information.
Stick with the park.
jomP8324JP,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The park with hot springs, mud pools was great. The Lady Knox geyser was a fizzle in more ways than one!
Don't miss the mud pools.
Roger C,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The walk is beautiful. Quite a lot of steps in sections 2 and 3. Best part was the very final pool. Amazing green color. When coming here be certain NOT to miss the free mud pools a mile or so before you arrive at the visitor center. They were the best of all.
To do but geyser disappointing (artificial trigger)
FREDERIC D,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The place is obviously beautiful but the management of the guests is to be reviewed especially for the Geyser (provoked and unnatural....)
From NZ$47.00
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