Waiotapu Boardwalk/ Mud Pool
Waiotapu Boardwalk/ Mud Pool
Waiotapu Boardwalk/ Mud Pool
4.5
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- Paul HSydney, Australia7 contributionsA bit soapyWaiotapu showcases stunning geothermal wonders with vibrant hot springs and unique landscapes. However, the Lady Knox Geyser, induced artificially by soap, is a letdown, lacking the natural awe of the area. For a more authentic geyser experience, I recommend visiting Te Puia in Rotorua. It offers the impressive Pōhutu Geyser, a truly natural eruption that captures the raw power of geothermal activity.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 30 December 2023
- 19Francis72New Plymouth, New Zealand82 contributionsGreat value with plenty of photo opportunitiesGreat weather made for some awesome photos. The service from all the crew was helpful and friendly. The only disappointing thing was the fact was that they used soap to get the Lady Knox geyser to erupt. This perhaps should be made clear somehow that it is not a natural event. On the whole a great experience though.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 3 February 2024
- julie k2 contributionsAwesome Free Geothermal ExperienceThis is a great way to see the geothermal "sights": There is boiling mud, steam, and yes that wonderful sulphur smell (!), but the walk short (accessible along a short boardwalk to almost all, and exposure to the smell is for a shorter time for those with sensitive noses), and it is FREE!!!! There is some confusion amongst the reviews included here. The colourful green/orange photos etc are from the Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, which is just down the road and is quite costly to enter (especially when you have a family group of 6 -teenagers plus adults!). The Lady Knox Geyser is also just down the road. This review is for Waiotapu Mud Pools/Board Walk, which is a DOC site located on Waiotapu Loop Road.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 18 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
151 reviews
Excellent
99
Very good
40
Average
7
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,595 contributions
Dec 2020
The Boardwalk and Mud Pool feature boiling mud. The mud bubbles rise to the top, then implode. They are beautiful to watch. They are symmetrical but have a very short life-span. I have never seen anything so fascinating. We watched the mud bubbles for over an hour.
Written 3 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
julie k
2 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
This is a great way to see the geothermal "sights": There is boiling mud, steam, and yes that wonderful sulphur smell (!), but the walk short (accessible along a short boardwalk to almost all, and exposure to the smell is for a shorter time for those with sensitive noses), and it is FREE!!!!
There is some confusion amongst the reviews included here. The colourful green/orange photos etc are from the Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, which is just down the road and is quite costly to enter (especially when you have a family group of 6 -teenagers plus adults!).
The Lady Knox Geyser is also just down the road.
This review is for Waiotapu Mud Pools/Board Walk, which is a DOC site located on Waiotapu Loop Road.
There is some confusion amongst the reviews included here. The colourful green/orange photos etc are from the Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, which is just down the road and is quite costly to enter (especially when you have a family group of 6 -teenagers plus adults!).
The Lady Knox Geyser is also just down the road.
This review is for Waiotapu Mud Pools/Board Walk, which is a DOC site located on Waiotapu Loop Road.
Written 18 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony B
50 contributions
Dec 2022
Best boiling mud we have seen on our trip....and its free. We had been to several other locations to see boiling mud and were predominantly disappointed anving paid good coin to see far less active boiling mud pools.
The boardwalk lets you see the pools from a number of different places and it is fascinating to watch the mud swell and then erupt vigorously before dying down while the pressure builds up again.
Well worth the stop and time spent here.
The boardwalk lets you see the pools from a number of different places and it is fascinating to watch the mud swell and then erupt vigorously before dying down while the pressure builds up again.
Well worth the stop and time spent here.
Written 15 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William T
Hong Kong, China14 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Wai-O-Tapu Thermo Wonderful - poor facility management . Everyone is made to believe the Lady Knox Geyser is part of the coverage, as entering the Geyser parking lot requires showing the “Thermal Park & Lady Knox Geyser” tickets. On date of our visit, we parked at the parking lot inside the Geyser area. After the Geyser eruption, we wanted to move on to the thermal park but found too many cars leaving the Geyser park at the same time and then the main area car park could be full. We decided to leave our car at the Geyser area parking lot. It was around 1pm , we finished the thermal park and I walked to the Geyser area parking area , intending to collect our car. It was found the area road access was locked up. It took almost an hour before the Visitor Center sent a staff to unlock the gate.
We found there was absolutely no sign of gate closure at all. In walking passed several staff working in the Park, they said this happens almost every day that cars were locked up in such parking lot.
I walked to the Visitor Center, a lady that presented her as supervisor told me they had announced the closure during the Geyser show. I told her I did not hear it and why they could not put up written signs in appropriate areas to remind visitors as it happens almost every day. Then you she told me the Geyser was not part of “them”, thus they could not do anything about it and she expressed she would not talk to me any longer and walked away .
I found this sort of responses was totally irresponsible and annoying to visitor who intended to question & suggest this issue could be minimised in the future.
We found there was absolutely no sign of gate closure at all. In walking passed several staff working in the Park, they said this happens almost every day that cars were locked up in such parking lot.
I walked to the Visitor Center, a lady that presented her as supervisor told me they had announced the closure during the Geyser show. I told her I did not hear it and why they could not put up written signs in appropriate areas to remind visitors as it happens almost every day. Then you she told me the Geyser was not part of “them”, thus they could not do anything about it and she expressed she would not talk to me any longer and walked away .
I found this sort of responses was totally irresponsible and annoying to visitor who intended to question & suggest this issue could be minimised in the future.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela M
9 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Do not bother with the Lady Knox Geyser!!! It is a full on tourist trap.
On the website it says it is "presented" every day at 10:15. This wording is very specifically chosen, because unlike some other geysers it does not naturally erupt with any reliability so they induce it as part of a very lame presentation where a lady tells a tale about men bathing in hot springs and their soap causes the geyser to activate so they will "re-enact" that moment by putting soap in the geyser. It's all just a gimmick. The geyser is fine but nothing special. The biggest issue is that they only present it once a day so everybody flocks there for 10:15, they do the presentation and then all of those people all head to the boardwalk at the same time leading to massive congestion. It makes it hard to enjoy the otherwise beautiful walk.
The walk is enjoyable, the mud pools are very interesting and for the price the walk alone is decent value. Go in the afternoon after the geyser crowd has left. Alternatively, pay a bit more and go to Whakarewarewa. It's closer to Rotorua, they have geysers that erupt naturally on a regular enough basis that you'll get to see them, they also have mud pools and walking trails AND you get some cultural information as well. That is time much better spent.
On the website it says it is "presented" every day at 10:15. This wording is very specifically chosen, because unlike some other geysers it does not naturally erupt with any reliability so they induce it as part of a very lame presentation where a lady tells a tale about men bathing in hot springs and their soap causes the geyser to activate so they will "re-enact" that moment by putting soap in the geyser. It's all just a gimmick. The geyser is fine but nothing special. The biggest issue is that they only present it once a day so everybody flocks there for 10:15, they do the presentation and then all of those people all head to the boardwalk at the same time leading to massive congestion. It makes it hard to enjoy the otherwise beautiful walk.
The walk is enjoyable, the mud pools are very interesting and for the price the walk alone is decent value. Go in the afternoon after the geyser crowd has left. Alternatively, pay a bit more and go to Whakarewarewa. It's closer to Rotorua, they have geysers that erupt naturally on a regular enough basis that you'll get to see them, they also have mud pools and walking trails AND you get some cultural information as well. That is time much better spent.
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
E-blockers
Auckland, New Zealand9 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Awesome place! Clean and tidy, lovely staff who checked in to make sure we knew which paths would be good for my elderly mum. The young lady who gave the talk at the geyser spoke beautifully, very clear and easy to hear. Highly recommend stopping here.
Written 5 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul H
Sydney, Australia7 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Waiotapu showcases stunning geothermal wonders with vibrant hot springs and unique landscapes. However, the Lady Knox Geyser, induced artificially by soap, is a letdown, lacking the natural awe of the area. For a more authentic geyser experience, I recommend visiting Te Puia in Rotorua. It offers the impressive Pōhutu Geyser, a truly natural eruption that captures the raw power of geothermal activity.
Written 30 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ztayob
Brisbane, Australia78 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Visited the thermal wonderland and purchased tickets for the 3 walks (90 mins) in total. Cost was 32.50 and each. The walk was easy . Views were magnificent. Colors were incredible. Smell of the sulphur was a bit strong. A really good tour and views are quite unique. The colors of the champagne pool were incredible.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JMyersWirral
Wirral83 contributions
Feb 2020
The Lady Know geyser is set off at 10.15 am every morning - so don't be late! It was interesting to see how this was achieved by placing soap into the geyser. Sometimes the effect is more spectacular than at other times. The thermal wonderland boardwalk is spectacular and you wont see the like of this anywhere else. The colours produced in the Champagne Pool are amazing. Well worth a visit.
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HypnoWarrior
Porirua, New Zealand1,111 contributions
Apr 2021
We've been here many times in the last 13 years and each time we still enjoy the bubbling smelling mud pools. The fact that it's free is a great bonus. A good stop here to break the drive.
Written 7 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi all, Maybe a stupid one but I just want to know if there is a clean waterpool shower or what ever to get the mud of me before I go back in the car....
Written 24 April 2020
Not in wai-o-tapu, near Rotorua you can find several places:
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
Polynesian Spa
Hell's Gate Geothermal Reserve and Mud Spa
Written 25 April 2020
Good morning,
Will this tour pick up at the cruise port? What time would the pickup be? We are scheduled to dock at 10:30am on Wed, March 11th. Will we be returned to the port?
Thanks,
Joyce
Written 10 January 2020
There are several thermal sites near Rotorua like Waiotapu, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, The craters of the moon, Orakei Korako thermal park etc. I just wanna do one and which is the best among all these?
Written 15 December 2016
There are several thermal sites near Rotorua like Waiotapu, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, The craters of the moon, Orakei Korako thermal park etc. I just wanna do one and which is the best among all these?
Written 15 December 2016
Hi,
I will be driving from Rotorua in the morning. Kindly advise what will be the right time to arrive the attractions and what time to see the geyser? Total spend how long there? Thanks
Written 13 December 2016
I would get to the Waiotapu Boardwalk as soon as it the gates open. I believe about 8:30AM, maybe earlier? This gives you some quiet time before the buses start arriving about 9:00AM. Some of the bus tours start with the geyser and then come to Waiotapu. You can leave to drive over for the geyser for that show and return for any parts of the Boardwalk you missed earlier or have lunch. The Mud Pools are a between the two, it was not at all crowded while we were there.
Written 13 December 2016
Hola...cuánto tiempo lleva recorrer el parque entero? aproximadamente?.
Gracias!
Written 12 September 2016
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