Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland Tickets
Highlights & inclusions
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December 2024
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What you can expect
One of Rotorua's most essential attractions, Wai-o-Tapu is an incredibly colourful grouping of hot springs, geysers, pools and more that's amazing to see! Located just 20 minutes from Rotorua city, Wai-o-Tapu offers a variety of volcanic spectacles each with their own distinct character, shape and texture formed purely by the forces of nature - it's the most colourful geothermal in all of New Zealand and provides visitors with some great angles and viewpoints for snapping some amazing photos of its offerings. Tickets to Wai-o-Tapu will allow you the freedom to explore the grounds at your own pace; explore the three separate tracks that each emphasize a different aspect of the grounds including perhaps its most famous site - the Champagne Pools, a bubbling hot spring around 65 metres wide with a striking orange border and vibrant, bubble-filled water contained within.
Add to this the array of geysers spouting their contents high into the air, wooden bridges crossing directly through the heart of thermal hotspots, and much more, Wai-o-Tapu is home to everything a traveller could want out of a natural Rotorua travel experience. If you're looking to explore our #1 rated Rotorua attraction up close, book your tickets to Wai-o-Tapu online today.
Location
What you need to know
- Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is a cashless site. All major credit cards and EFTPOS are available
- Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is Smoke-Free within the Visitor Centre and the geothermal park.
- There are no toilet facilities in the main park or at the geyser. Please ensure you use toilet facilities available at the Visitor Centre before entering the park.
- General Admission into Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland
- Lady Know Geyser Eruption at 10.15am every day
- Comprehensive Guide Map - available in Dutch, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Korean, German, Russian & Czech
- Gift Shop
- Geyser Cafe
- Picnic areas
- Transfers are not included
- Visitors follow well defined tracks through bush and geothermal features in New Zealand’s largest hydrothermal area
- Unique flora and fauna
- Walks range from 30 minutes (1.5km) to 75 minutes (3km) - your choice, your time frame
- Comprehensive Guide Map in English with translations in 11 different languages
- Geothermal Area - Sculptured out of volcanic activity and thousands of years in the making, Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is considered to be New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing attraction. You are introduced to a uniquely different natural landscape – the key to what you see lies below the surface – one of the most extensive geothermal systems in New Zealand, extending over 18-sq. km.
- Lady Knox Geyser - Presented daily at 10.15am. This unique geyser can reach up to heights of 10-20 metres. See and learn about the magnificent workings of the Lady Knox geyser from our wonderful team.
- Mud Pool - Visit the Mud Pool to complete your experience at Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland. The largest mud pool in New Zealand, it was originally the site of a large mud volcano which was destroyed through erosion in the 1920’s.
- open 5 days a week Friday to Tuesday from 8.30am to 4.30pm, with last admission to the park at 3pm.
- 201 Waiotapu Loop Road RD 3, Rotorua 3073
- Distance & Approximate Travel Times:
- Auckland - Rotorua (234kms) - 3.5hrs
- Hamilton - Rotorua (107kms) - 1.75hrs
- Wellington - Rotorua (460kms) - 6.5hrs
- Rotorua - Wai O Tapu (27kms) - 20mins
- Taupo - Wai O Tapu (53kms) - 40 mins
- From Rotorua:
- Travel south along the Thermal Explorer Highway (SH 5) towards Taupo for 27km (20 mins drive) until you reach the Waiotapu Tavern. Turn left opposite the tavern and travel 2km to reach Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland.
- From Taupo:
- Travel north along the Thermal Explorer Highway (SH 5) towards Rotorua for 53km (40 mins drive). Turn right where signposted and travel a further 1km to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
- Under 5 years are free
- Notification of cancellation is required 24 hours prior to arrival or expiry of ticket.
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the tour
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
Recent reviews
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Sally Hoang
3 months ago
Unique experience, great Lady Knox Geyser presentation.
The walks have unique scenery for sightseeing. There are three walks (sections) in total at the geothermal wonderland which starts and ends at the visitor centre. It is written on the map there that it can take around 90mins total. I walked quickly so it only took me 60mins total to complete all sections. It was interesting to look at but compared to other more beautiful scenery in New Zealand such as Orakei Korako, it wasn't the best. There is a Lady Knox Geyser presentation including an induced eruption of the geyser at 10:15-10:25am which is great to watch up close. To get to Lady Knox Geyser, it is a short drive away from the visitor centre. The geothermal wonderland is also a short drive to Waiotapu mud pools (which have public access) which look cool to sightsee as well.
Nicole Rauchlechner
almost 5 years ago
Stinky
Stinky, but worth it. The bright and brilliant colours are gorgeous. Would definitely recommend going see at least once in your life. Did not go to see Lady Knox Geyser but it would have been included in the price of the ticket (on the next day). It's not far from Rotorua.
Hunkyu Lee
almost 5 years ago
It was a bit unfortunate that Lady Knox only once a day
It was a bit unfortunate that Lady Knox only once a day, but the champagne pool was very impressive. The tracking course has three levels, which is very useful for planning the overall view. However, some areas, such as mud pools, would like to have spaces for closer viewing or hands-on experience.