Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua, New Zealand

Overview

Available languages

German

Russian

Korean

Chinese

Japanese

English

Italian

French

Dutch

Spanish

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‘s Included

Translations

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Food and drinks

Meeting and Pickup

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.

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.

Admission Included

Options

Admission Ticket

Duration: 2 hours

Reviews

4.40

309 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

183

Miss the geyser and avoid the crowds
old-jogger,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
At a very reasonable price this self-guided walking tour gives you the opportunity to see a range of geothermal features in a short time. Three walks can be done singly or combined into about 90 minutes. Highlight is the champagne pool with amazing colours and plentiful steam. Plenty of other hot water features and some spectacular steaming craters. It is very crowded in the morning because hundreds of people come to see the geyser. This was really not worth the fuss, especially as it only goes off when some kind of detergent is added to the water (it actually blew a few soap bubbles for the audience!). The whole crowd then moves to the walking routes, so they are quite crowded, especially the first path near the visitor centre. I would skip the geyser and go later in the day.
Great!
Annie R,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It's a nice area and the trails are well marked. Bathrooms and a cafe are located at the gift shop. You only need to pay for those who hike. Non hikers can sit outside or in the cafe. Much cheaper entry on Viator versus at the venue.
Otherworldly
Tony K,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This is an amazing place and doesn't seem to belong on this planet but out of a sci-fi novel. The smell of the sulphur assails the senses first then the sights of all these pools of liquid bubbling away in a variety of colours. Reading the notes along the way mentioning that some of the holes have gotten bigger over time gives you a clear warning not to fool around but to keep to the path.
Very good tour of Thermal park with excellent RV parking
Keca66,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The thermal springs are fascinating to look at and see the varying types (and colours). There are 3 walks that can be done as part of the entrance charge and even on the 45 minute walk you see plenty and, in parts, walk amongst the pools virtually at ground level. A captivating visit. Some things to note: - The Lady Knox geyser is separate to the main attraction. Therefore you need to drive there to see this and then drive back to the main entrance to walk round the main thermal pools. - They are certainly geared up for people attending in campervans/RVs. There are dedicated parking areas for both large and small campers at both Lady Knox and Thermal pools.
Otherworldly landscape unique to North Island
Stephen C,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A fantastic walk through an otherworldly landscape, with all kinds of pools, lava flows, sinkholes containing bubbling and boiling mud/oil/graphite sludge, rivers, and lakes
Must see geological delights
Tourist763930,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
We loved our morning wandering around the thermal park. We would recommend seeing the whole site, about a 3km route, to ensure you see everything. We went first thing in the morning and grabbed coffee in the cafe to walk with, good time to go to avoid crowds or tour groups.
Must do experience
Fiona H,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Amazing geo thermal experience have never seen anything like this well set out with good directions also a great coffee shop a must do
Fascinating geothermic phenomenon!
Jane G,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Lovely walk around the park looking at all the bubbling pools and craters. Not ideal for people with mobility issues as quite a few stairs
Simply awe inspiring
richardmP1661JV,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This place is simply astounding. There are 3 different lengths of walks and we did all three. The walks take you past all sorts of natural geothermal sights. there are mud filled pools bubbling away and all sorts of multicoloured pools. At the end is an incredible view across Lake Ngakoro. The picture moment is the champagne pool with its multiple colours.
Geyser was good to see....
Colleen R,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Geyser was good to see. The thermal pools were amazing colours. Walk way good and gradients ok. Alternate route well marked.