The Waterworks
The Waterworks, Coromandel: Hours, Address, The Waterworks Reviews: 4.5/5
The Waterworks
The Waterworks
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Release the child within and experience New Zealand's quirkiest theme park. Voted by AA Tourism as a must-do Kiwi experience The Waterworks is a theme park with a difference. Set in 5 acres of native Coromandel Bush and just 10 minutes from Coromandel Town is an array of water powered inventions, quirky contraptions and fun to discover at every turn. Inspired by the ability to create something new out of something old our attractions are made largely from recycled materials and are powered by water. Water is used to keep time on the wooden water clock; watch out though it often works on Coromandel time. We've got water cannons to blast away on and bikes that pump H2O. Our human sized hamster wheel is an absolute hoot and our mad inventions leave people wondering "what the".As well as the 70+ attractions to look at, play on, or interact with, The Waterworks has a generous adventure playground area perfect for picnics, an onsite café, free use of BBQs and a natural swimming hole to cool off in during the hot summer months.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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4.5
570 reviews
Excellent
358
Very good
144
Average
51
Poor
9
Terrible
8
TripleGee3
Auckland Central, New Zealand23 contributions
Apr 2022
I chose this and after was told by my family they didnt really want to go but yeah was glad that I made them! (they didnt read the brochure). So much laughter from our family. Next time our visit will be with lunch and towels so we can go swimming and really participate in the water features. Quite but it was so much fun.
Written 24 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kiwiquilter
New Zealand30 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
I read some very good reviews of this attraction on here, and, as part of of a retired couple, we decided to go.
We found some quirky little waterworks, but there wasn’t nearly as many as we expected and some needed a jolly good scrub and tidying up.
It seems it’s been a long time since anything new was added. It would be good if some money was invested in new attractions as things badly need updating and refreshing.
I can see you would enjoy this a lot more if you were with young children as they’d play on swings and things but there wasn’t a huge amount to amuse us in the way we expected.
What about some oversized playground equipment for adults? We’ve seen, and used that before…
We found some quirky little waterworks, but there wasn’t nearly as many as we expected and some needed a jolly good scrub and tidying up.
It seems it’s been a long time since anything new was added. It would be good if some money was invested in new attractions as things badly need updating and refreshing.
I can see you would enjoy this a lot more if you were with young children as they’d play on swings and things but there wasn’t a huge amount to amuse us in the way we expected.
What about some oversized playground equipment for adults? We’ve seen, and used that before…
Written 8 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Susan
Falmouth, UK14 contributions
Feb 2022
What an amazing place to visit! The ingenious inventions make it very interactive for kids and fascinating for adults, as well as picnic areas with BBQs to use and swimming hole. The cafe has fab barista coffee and amazing gourmet burgers. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 7 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Maaike T
1 contribution
Feb 2022 • Couples
We had the best time here! Full of surprises and quirkiness. Loved that we were able to bring our little dog - he was no help in the maze though!
Written 2 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
cookaborough
Rotorua, New Zealand106 contributions
Dec 2021
This is such a cool place. There has been oodles of thought and effort gone into providing a unique experience. Our Family enjoyed our time here very much, and the lunch was great too!
Written 15 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Stephen H
1 contribution
Oct 2021
Quirky little eco park full of fascinating water driven exhibits. Great fun soaking each other! On a sunny day would be amazing with waterholes on the river to swim in. A great kids play area with flying foxes and BBQ areas set up.
Written 30 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Vanessa D
Otorohanga, New Zealand18 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
This place is so much fun, I have not laughed so much in a long time, we had 2 teenagers with us and it was great to see that everything was catered to both kids and adults. We loved all the quirky waterfeatures.
We made some great family memories and had lots of fun on the swings and bikes
I did think the price of $75 for a family of 4 was a little pricey considering it was a cold winters day and late in the afternoon we couldn't take full advantage of the park...and getting wet.
The owners did however offer a free entry the next morning if we didn't manage to finish before dark but this wasn't an option for us.
We would love to come back in summer and spend the day, the swimming hole looks lovely
We made some great family memories and had lots of fun on the swings and bikes
I did think the price of $75 for a family of 4 was a little pricey considering it was a cold winters day and late in the afternoon we couldn't take full advantage of the park...and getting wet.
The owners did however offer a free entry the next morning if we didn't manage to finish before dark but this wasn't an option for us.
We would love to come back in summer and spend the day, the swimming hole looks lovely
Written 7 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MoolooSwampy
Auckland, New Zealand224 contributions
Apr 2021
A quirky, occasionally 'slapstick-humour-based' park with almost everything water themed that you can imagine. Some genuinely fun rides (our kids loved the ET Flying Bikes, even though one of them was broken), and some slightly terrifying that might not pass muster with the H&S experts (the advanced level flying fox). The two border collies (or 'boarder' as the website says) are there to greet guests, and there's plenty to do. This would be ideal for pre-teenage kids in particular - older kids might find parts of it a bit naff.
Written 27 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Erin M
Auckland37 contributions
Oct 2020
We visited in October 2020. My younger son had seen the sign and wanted to take a look - which we did with a little scepticism.
However 3 hours later, we were very pleased that we stopped. The place is quirky, educating and provided us with much laughter.
Well worth the small entrance fee and would visit again!
However 3 hours later, we were very pleased that we stopped. The place is quirky, educating and provided us with much laughter.
Well worth the small entrance fee and would visit again!
Written 21 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Andre v
Auckland, New Zealand13 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
Went with grandchildren. Ages 4 and 2. They had a ball. We were there for 4 hours. Had a picnic too. Water slide was great for the kids but not effective for us adults. Swimming hole was very refreshing. Friendly reception. Great choice of ice cream. I would highly recommend this activity.
Written 8 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Misswg
Singapore23 contributions
How much time should 2 adults spend here? We will only reach the park at about 4pm next week (December 2015) and it closes at 6pm, so I'm wondering if it's worth a visit when we can only spend 2hours (or less) there?
Xavier_Radic
Clinton, New Zealand
Hello, A friend of mine and their family built and invented these gardens some years ago (but new owners these days). Anytime even just 2 hours is worth the visit... it is humorous, educating and fun. Afterwards (depending on where you are staying) you could have a picnic tea/barbecue on the beach (near where you turn off to gardens) or even have your tea (picnic style) at the gardens... there is a nice sheltered spot at the coastal end of the carpark. If in a freedom camper, they may even let you stay the night, worth asking. ta, Xavier xx
Frequently Asked Questions about The Waterworks
- The Waterworks is open:
- Wed - Wed 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Thu - Tue 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near The Waterworks:
- (0.62 km) Terako Downs
- (4.27 km) Jacaranda Lodge
- (6.43 km) Wairua Lodge - Rainforest River Retreat
- (14.69 km) Bayview Valley Lodge
- (9.03 km) Driving Creek Villas
- Restaurants near The Waterworks:
- (7.23 km) Wharf Road
- (7.24 km) Pepper Tree Restaurant & Bar
- (3.72 km) Coromandel Mussel Kitchen
- (14.97 km) Blue Ginger
- (7.23 km) Umu