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Home >> Hot Pools >> The Bridge (aka The Secret Spot), Waiotapu Stream
 The Bridge (aka The Secret Spot), Waiotapu Stream
Rotorua Region
Waiotapu Stream, 50km south of Rotorua (halfway to Taupo)
Waiotapu Stream
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Description Great! Pick your spot and relax, nude or with shorts on! Hotter than kerosene creek! Great place for a a-natural bath. ENJOY [gareth, waikato.N.Z]
Travel about 40km south of Rotorua and look out for the signpost marked 'Waiotapu Thermal Park' on the left. This is the first entrance, there is another about 500 meters further down the road. Take the second entrance. 500 metres down this tiny winding road you'll come a across a small bridge. You have arrived. You will need to make your way down the bank into the steamy stream. If its your first time and its dark you may have a bit of trouble... however its likely you won't be the only one there so just follow the voices...
Interactive Map
Map showing location of The Bridge (aka The Secret Spot), Waiotapu Stream.
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 My Experience
I lived in Rotorua for a long time and made a trip to 'The Bridge' aka 'The Secret Spot' with friends often. One of my favourites for sure. I sure do like the free ones... It's getting a little crowded over the last couple of years but visitors are a friendly bunch :). I made a rule many years ago: not to visit it during the day because stuff floats past you sometimes in the night and I'd rather not know what it is...
21 Bather Reviews Write Your Review Now
- Really nice for a soak - especially if you have been tramping. Although it is obvious there are parties here sometimes I haven't found any broken glass yet, a really nice spot.
Robyn
Rating: 8/10 21st July 2010
- Brilliant. Locals call it simply Hot and Cold, or Hot-cold. Love that. The pool is the confluence of a really hot stream and a cold stream, so you can pick your temperature. Or alternate between REALLY hot then cold.
Don't waste your time with Kerosine Creek, this pool dominates and is more secure for your car.
Would easily fit 30 people, average of maybe 2 feet deep. Pool is only ten metres from the road (and bridge).
Ben - New Zealand
Rating: 10/10 16th January 2010
- Visited on a week day, very busy, but not too crowded.
David Cox - Chch
Rating: 7/10 15th January 2010
- Not crowded! Super spot!
Cornela - Berlin/Germany
Rating: 10/10 7th January 2010
- best spot of all
peter - reporoa nz
Rating: 10/10 21st July 2009
- Beautiful spot. Ruined by empty beer cans and general litter.
The water is lovely and warm - hotter as you move up stream, then you get the burst of the chilly water... GREAT!!
Don't take your best towel or wear your favorite togs as they'll 'smell' abit!!
Beer cans and wine bottles in the bottom of the muddy water with bear feet is not so good.
Perhaps the council could provide rubbish bins?
Also, Why do people feed the rats living in the bank?
Otherwise a nice place to go!!
muddy
Rating: 5/10 7th July 2009
- I live 10 mins from these. Locals call this "hot and cold" They have been damaged by careless patrons destroying the bank and the "enclosed feel"
Tracey - New Zealand
Rating: 5/10 1st March 2009
- I know this place as "Secret Spot", but the secret's obviously well out. Nice to come with candles at night. I see what DOC is trying to do with boardwalks, hope they manage to retain its special feel.
Ingrid - Rotorua
29th October 2008
- When I was there at Easter this year the a DOC sign with the Following text had appeared:
"Twin Streams
In recent years the Twin Streams area of Waiotapu has seen a marked increase in reputation both nationally and internationally. The increase in reputation has directly resulted in an increase in visitors and there impacts. This has had a dramatic effect on the environment. The biggest problems are erosion, destruction of flora, fire risk and litter.
To help manage these impacts, the Department of Conservation is planning on creating a series of boardwalks and platforms and to replant the stream bank during the coming year.
We need your help to preserve this area but also enable people to visit this wonderful place. Please stay on the tracks, don't break any vegetation and please don't extract mud.
We are sorry for the inconvienience this may cause.
For more information pleasecontact the Department of Conservation, bop@doc.govt.nz"
It is officially no longer a secret spot anymore.
While the area has noticeably deteriorated. I hope they don't do anything crazy like banning bathing.
Philip - Wellington
Rating: 8/10 20th April 2008
- Best Place of my holiday, Hot water out of 1 stream and cold out of the other. Place was clean with easy walk 40 meters from the car, will def go back again 1 day
Maka - Gold Coast Australia
Rating: 10/10 3rd January 2008
- Visited Secret Spot with intention of bathing on Wednesday afternoon (8/08/07). The place has been ruined, really dissapointing, there was rubbish everywhere - all through the bush surrounding the pool and beer bottle lids round the edges. Great if you want cut feet! We went to Waikite instead.
Di
12th August 2007
- anonymous
Rating: 10/10 8th July 2007
- anonymous
Rating: 10/10 7th June 2007
- My favorite swim spot. Has been contaminated by rubbish and damage to banks by idiots. 90% of time its nude bathing for me.
kiwi - nz
Rating: 8/10 17th February 2007
- Hot and cold is a neat place to go especially to go down wit ya mates and hav some drinks. Theres just some eggs hu try and ruin this luxury we have by leavin thea rubbish around.
Amy - Reporoa
31st October 2006
- I love this spot- Anytime I'm near I'll make the effort. Had to clean up a bit of rubbish and stuff last time though- wish people would show respect!
Olivia - NZ
Rating: 10/10 17th August 2006
- Primo spot, can pick your temperature where the streams converge. Had a hilarious encounter with some local boys teasing a US tourist about the rats... and one appeared on cue - in the middle of the day! Always worth a stop on the way past.
Andrea - Mt Maunganui
Rating: 8/10 13th August 2006
- Carlton football club has been visiting this spot for the past 5-6 years on our annual football trip from Auckland. it is one of the highlights of our weekend. would recommend it to anyone but keep your head out of the water as a couple of guys have been sick in the past. Locals are very friendly.
Steven Fair - NZ
5th October 2005
- Brilliant soak after hunting/fishing many years ago. Revisited last in 1999, still great!
mike - Perth WA. Formally Rotorua/Taupo/Waikite
Rating: 7/10 16th August 2005
- I love this spot and I grew up hanging out at what we called Hot and Cold - But its a local Secret Spot and Kerosene Creek is easily accesible for tourists, this one should not be for anyone else but the locals thats why its a Secret.
Sarah - Australia/ Rotorua Originally
Rating: 10/10 12th August 2005
- glad you dont give all the directions so it is still a secet spot. been enjoying this spot since late 1960
Sean
Rating: 7/10 11th August 2005
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