Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua: Hours, Address, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Reviews: 4.5/5
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
"One of the 20 Most Surreal Places in the World" Trip Advisor THOUSANDS OF YEARS IN THE MAKING, explore spectacular nature at New Zealand's most colourful natural volcanic area. Walk at your own pace - view the unique Champagne Pool, Sinter Terrace formations, Steaming Ground, Bubbling Mud, Expansive Vistas, Huge Volcanic Craters. The Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at 10.15am. Excellent facilities at modern Visitor Centre. We are a cashless site, accepting all major credit and EFTPOS cards.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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from NZ$32.50
All you need to step foot in the door.
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4.5
8,650 reviews
Excellent
5,389
Very good
2,575
Average
525
Poor
110
Terrible
51
John
Taupo District, New Zealand3 contributions
Beautiful
Feb 2021 • Friends
Amazingly beautiful place. Absolutely breathtaking views throughout. Really well kept paths and board walks.
Highly recommend
Highly recommend
Written 29 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ambflyer1
New Zealand124 contributions
Rather cool
Sep 2020 • Family
Walking through the huge gift shop and pass by the cafe, you have a choice to make, the long walk or short. Fully maintained walkways take you through different volcanic sites from the edge of the Reporua Caldera or the yellow fluorescent Devils Bath. (See photo) Take your camera and click away to view this fascinating volcanic zone, it's worth the visit.
Written 8 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Naina-Damani
London, UK1,032 contributions
MOST DRAMATIC AND COLOURFUL EXPERIENCE.
Feb 2020
Most unique and colourful geothermal attraction and volcanic features of New Zealand. To see beautiful geyser and most dramatic mud pool with stinky sulphur smell.
Written 29 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mike
Whanganui, New Zealand4 contributions
Wonderful
Nov 2020
A well worth it journey. You get to see nature at its best. excellent chance to take photographs and to see how things are formed.
Written 20 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jaroslav Nečas
Brno, Czech Republic916 contributions
Easy hike and thermal lakes
Dec 2019
Thermal park offers few hiking ways to go through. You can see thermal lakes of various colors and temperatures. It's definitely worth a visit for couple of hours.
Written 19 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Reet Kamal Kaur
11 contributions
Colorful geothermal park
Oct 2020 • Friends
Must visit. Amazing colorful experience. Would take around 2-3 hours for the complete experience. Enjoy.
Written 18 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Shannen
5 contributions
Great day trip
Nov 2019
It's nice to go here for a day and wonder around the beautiful nature.
I visited this place in February 2018, I think the summer is one of the best times to visit it as the color of the blue sky and the color of the geisers are amazing then!
I visited this place in February 2018, I think the summer is one of the best times to visit it as the color of the blue sky and the color of the geisers are amazing then!
Written 18 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
helliffe
Auckland Central, New Zealand9 contributions
Awesome visit
Oct 2020 • Couples
Must visit this place and do the walk if you visit Rotorua. Amazing views and the walk is not too bad. Few steps to climb but the lakes and the views are worth it.
Written 13 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
T R
7 contributions
Interesting experience
Sep 2020 • Couples
This was the second time I've visited and it was still neat. Still a wonder that so many different
natural treasures are all so close to one another. We were pressed for time and found the map was a bit basic and got confused when there was part of the track closed without explanation.
The geyser was impressive for children, unfortunately we didn't have any with us. We loved the bubbling mud but thought it should have been signposted from the road so everyone can enjoy it.
natural treasures are all so close to one another. We were pressed for time and found the map was a bit basic and got confused when there was part of the track closed without explanation.
The geyser was impressive for children, unfortunately we didn't have any with us. We loved the bubbling mud but thought it should have been signposted from the road so everyone can enjoy it.
Written 9 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
indiamerrick
Auckland, New Zealand19 contributions
Skip the geyser and arrive early!
Oct 2020 • Couples
Definitely head early - we arrived at opening time. There will be a thick fog, make the most of it! The park is quiet and beautiful, and you can get lots of photos with the steam in the cold air. Then, around 10:00/11:00 the fog lifts completely and the colours are amazing. I absolutely recommend skipping the geyser - it's man made, and further up the road. We skipped this and got a wonderful quiet park go relax, take photos and really enjoy the environment! The walk is long - bring water and sunscreen! Take a long time at the champagne pool as well, it's incredible!
Written 8 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DayTrip64871721679
0 contributions
I'm thinking of taking Intercity to Waiotapu Tavern. Is it safe to walk along the highway from Waiotapu Tavern to the park?
Waiotapunz
Rotorua, New Zealand0 contributions
Yup, it completely safe and a lot of signage along the way!
chaitali f
India0 contributions
Hi, can I get/ hire a baby stroller at the park?
Alan R
Markfield, UK829 contributions
From memory you are unable to hire a stroller. Not all the walks are suitable for a stroller but there would still be enough to see - the smell can vary - when we were there it wasn't really too noticeable surprisingly enough
Holly M
3 contributions
Hi there, are there any toilets around the area apart from the visitor centre?
I suffer for an over active bladder and have to go quite frequently which is frustrating!
I don’t want to be caught short when walking around. Tia :)
Waiotapunz
Rotorua, New Zealand0 contributions
Morena Holly,
Unfortunately, we only have two locations with toilet blocks, both being around the visitor centre.
We do hope you still decide to visit Wai-O-Tapu to do at least track 1 which takes about 45 minutes (1.5km, round track)
Safe travels Holly!
kovumonster
17 contributions
Is this place ok to visit if it’s raining?
SmyRiedberg
Frankfurt, Germany36 contributions
Yes it is.
DIANNEQUILL
Wollongong, Australia0 contributions
I am allergic to sulphur drugs. Does that mean I shouldn’t visit this area because I might have an allergic reaction to the sulphate?
Also, my dad is 87 and can’t walk far. How long is the first walking track?
Waiotapunz
Rotorua, New Zealand0 contributions
Kia Ora, the first walk is 1.5 km and usually takes people 30 - 45 minutes. We've never really experienced anyone have allergic reactions to the sulfate before so i'd recommend getting some medical advise from coming
TaschaLascha
Owasso, OK2 contributions
Are you able to get into any of the pools?
Marta F
Brisbane, Australia29 contributions
No!!!! It is absolutely boiling hot and some of the pools are too deep and unsafe to go. The rule in the park is NOBODY IN THE WATER!!!!
janet69saffron
Kingsbridge, UK2 contributions
On April 2 as clocks have gone back dose the geyser blow at 10.15 winter time?
Waiotapunz
Rotorua, New Zealand0 contributions
Lady Knox geyser erupts at 10:15 am Everyday 365 days a year. Daylight saving Doesn't affect her, like everything else.
marshy1991
Rutherford, Australia11 contributions
it this place kid friendly? i have one year old will be safe enough if i carried him?
Raja V
168 contributions
Yes you can. But ensure he doesnt stray away from you
Olga Y
0 contributions
Hi, Is there any place I can put my luggage?
I saw the website said there are lockers.
Is anyone knows how big are the lockers? (so I could know my luggage can fit in there or not)
Olga Y
0 contributions
It's okay. I went there already and they have a place for travelers to put their bags. If anyone wants to go there just ask the crew and you will be fine.
Ingrid J
9 contributions
Hi.
How long do we need to comfortably walk around Wai-O-Tapu?
2Adults1C
Perth, Australia87 contributions
The great thing is that you don't need to decide at the start, there are 3 loops so you do the first loop to the Champagne Pool and see how you feel, then do the second loop to the Bridal Veil and do another check. The first two loops are flat but the third has lots of steps (iPhone said 13 stories equivalent) so this is where our party split up with one group returning to the cafe (1.5 hours total walking) and the remainder continuing on the third loop (approx 45 mins extra). It's a very well designed route. Time depends on how fast you walk and how often you stop to take photos (often in our case - including watching the bird life and chicks in the sulphur pools on the third loop).
