Waikite Valley Thermal Pools – add this to your NZ trip! – TREKwithBECK

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Are you wanting to relax after a long day of exploring? Then Waikite Valley Thermal pools is the place for you.

There are plenty of thermal pools in Rotorua, however this is one of the best value. The pools are clean, big and some have great views. This is a great place to stop if you have a few hours to spare on your New Zealand road trip.

They are open for 10.30-8pm, however they do start draining the pools at 7.15pm. Make sure you plan accordingly.

Where is it?

Waikite Valley Thermal Pools are located about 30mins outside of Rotorua.

It is a spot that gets popular with both locals and tourists. However, I do have a trick to help get the pools all to yourself for a short while! (More on that later)

What’s there to do?

Bath, relax, swim or take a short walk! Waikite Valley Thermal springs are all about relaxation and unwinding.

This is where you will find the largest single source of 100% pure geothermal water in New Zealand. This spring water cascades into the hot pool complex, which consists of 6 different pools.

Each pool has a different temperature, so there is something to suit everyone. I am not actually sure if this is the case everyday or is this is just what happened with the water on the day I visited!

The six pools include

  • Sit and soak – the hottest pool while I was there, sitting between 41-45 degrees C
  • The garden pool – my favourite. Sitting at a nice 35 C degrees. This also has some of the best views over the hot springs below!
  • The tubs – These were the coldest pools
  • Settlers pool – The biggest pool. It has a shallow section for children.
  • Pergola pool – The second pool with great views, and my second favourite.
  • Private pools – these can be booked separately to general admission.

Once you’ve sat and soaked for many hours, I recommend you take the short stroll down to the Te Manaroa Springs, which is where the hot water comes from. It’s only a short 10min walk, but has some very nice views along the path.

Then treat yourself to a coffee, some cake or a small meal at the cafe. I got the beef bean nachos which cost me $14.50NZD. It was good, but than again after eating only 2min noodles, everything tastes good after a while!

Settlers Pools The Tubs Sit and Soak Pergola Pool The Garden Pool

How much does it cost?

Pool admission:

  • Adults $22NZD
  • Children $12NZD
  • Under 5 $4NZD

For private pools prices, you will have to contact them directly. They also offer family/group discounts.

Waikite Valley Thermal Pools also have a promo deal with Waimangu Volcanic Valley, where you can get enter into both valleys for prices below. You can read my blog about Waimangu Volcanic Valley here.

Prices: Adult $45.00 NZDChild $16.00 NZD

Family $108 NZD