Tokaanu Thermal Pools description, location, map, driving directions, photos and reviews [add your review]
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This is a commercial hot poolTokaanu Thermal Pools

Taupo Region
Mangaroa Street, Tokaanu


Mangaroa Street, Tokaanu
P.O. Box 181, Turangi
Phone: (07) 386 8575
Open Everyday (closed only Christmas Day). Public Pool 10am - 9pm; Private Pools 10am - 9.30pm
Managers: Rod Brown & Tui Brabyn
**Please mention nzhotpools.co.nz when you call**

On This Page: Description | Driving Directions | Interactive Map | List of Facilties | Bather Reviews | Write Your Review | Write Suggestion for Management


Description

The Tokaanu natural thermal pools have for five centuries been recognised by the Ngati Tuwharetoa people, for bathing, cooking and dyeing of clothes. Europeans started to use the pools extensively once Tokaanu was established as a major stopover on the Grand Tour stage coach run from Wanganui to Taupo in the 1800s. These pools were and are a very welcome way to rejuvenate.

We invite you to come and relax in the soothing and therapeutic waters of Tokaanu’s hot thermal springs, situated on the southern shores of Lake Taupo. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the day with family and friends, and is an ideal educational field day for school groups wanting to learn more about the historic and fascinating thermal area. You can enjoy the large public pool which is heated with fresh chlorinated water to around 36oC- 37oC or choose from one of our family sized private natural mineral pools which range from 39oC- 41oC. And for the kids, we have a special pool heated to 36oC with fresh chlorinated water situated right beside the main pool.

What makes it so hot? The Tokaanu area is part of the active Taupo volcanic zone, as is sometimes demonstrated with eruptions from Mt Ruapehu. The natural mineral waters you in today, first reached the area as snow and rain, which over the years has percolated into the ground. It soon came into contact with the hot volcanic rock far below the surface and was eventually driven back up to the surface as hot thermal springs rich in minerals.

Public Pool

 
Adult Public Pool $6.00
Child Public Pool $4.00
Preschooler Public Pool Free
   
Adults 12 Visit Concession Card Public Pool $60.00
Child 12 Visit Concession Card Public Pool $42.00
   

Private Pool

 
Adults Private Pool $9.00
Child Private Pool (accompanied by adult) $5.00
Preschooler Private Pool (accompanied by adult) Free
Senior Citizen Private Pool $8.00
   
Adult 12 Visit Concession Card Private Pool $96.00
Child 12 Visit Concession Card Private Pool $48.00
Senior Citizens 12 Visit Concession Card Private Pool $84.00
   
Senior Citizen: 65 Years & Over
Adults: 16 Years & Over
Child: 5 Years To 15 Years
Preschoolers: Under 5 Years
 


Directions

A few kilometres North-West of Turangi on SH41. Just off the main road in the tiny township of Tokaanu. Look for the steam!


Interactive Map

Map showing location of Tokaanu Thermal Pools.

Use the controls on the map to zoom in and out.


Facilities

  • 1 Large Public Pool (heated with fresh chlorinated water to around 36oC- 37oC)
  • 12 Family Sized Private Natural Mineral Pools (range from 39oC- 41oC)
  • Kids Pool (heated to 36oC with fresh chlorinated water situated right beside the main pool)
  • Free Thermal Bushwalk. While you’re with us, why not take a relaxing short walk around our natural thermal area located in attractive native bush, where you can see steaming hot mineral pools, set in sinter basins and spluttering mud pots. It only takes 20 minutes is accessible by wheelchair.
  • Feed the Trout. At our entrance you can peer down from the bridge into the cold Tokaanu stream, which flows beside the thermal areas and feed the Rainbow trout in their natural environment.
  • Shop. Ice creams, chocolate bars, sweet, packeted snacks, and cold drinks for sale.
  • Historic and Scientific Display


My Experience

Essential after a hard day skiing.


31 Bather Reviews

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  1. He rawe enei hopua! He tino pai mo to kiri me ou ua. Pai ki ahau mo te whanau me nga hoa katoa o te motu nei, o te ao whanui hoki. Tenei taku mihi maioha ki a Ngati Tuwharetoa mo to koutou manaakitanga ki a matou te hunga-kore-hopua wera-:)

    Arini Loader - Aotearoa New Zealand    
    Rating: 10/10   21st July 2010
  2. I love this place, awesome gathering spot for when all the whanau come for huis. Even better when you know your tipuna are watching over you. Good place to take all the kids when the whanau are having a party at the marae

    Kailee Hepi - Hamilton    
    Rating: 10/10   12th June 2010
  3. Love this place. Good for a soak in the main pool after a days skiing in the winter. Just beautiful. Provite pools are great to for a more authentic experience.

    Adam - Wellington, NZ    
    Rating: 9/10   3rd May 2010
  4. Terrific friendly staff especially SAM. made to feel very welcome. Will recommend and also return

    Nola Walkinshaw - Wellington    
    Rating: 9/10   31st March 2010
  5. Just to let everyone know that the Tokaanu Thermal Pools will be closed until Monday 22 February 2010 for our Annual Maintenance. From the Tokaanu Management

    Tui Brabyn    
    Rating: 10/10   12th February 2010
  6. Great pools! Enjoyed the private thermal pool, nice with the open air, I can imagine how nice it would be on a clear night with the stars above. Just needed a bench to sit on in the private pool. The public pool was nice and warm, I thought it would have been cold, but it wasn't! Very relaxing and great woman on the front desk who was helpful and very friendly and informative! Next time I'm up this way will definitely stop in again!

    Ivan Rainforth - Wellington, New Zealand    
    Rating: 8/10   30th November 2009
  7. We visited these pools to avoid the crowds at Whakapapa. we hired a private pool, and it had plenty of space, probably fit 4 adults comfortably. temperature was lovely & warm and the open roof was refreshing. Will definitely stop by again.

    Rissa - Wellington, NZ    
    Rating: 8/10   8th September 2009
  8. you don't even have the open hours on the site - pathetic. And when you call their number they don't have a msg with hours either - it's medieval.

    james - nz    
    21st August 2009
  9. Had a fantastic time, was so great as we got there early afternoon before the crowds! So nice, relaxing, and hot! Will definitely be back, thanks!

    Stacey - NZ    
    Rating: 10/10   11th August 2009
  10. The best hotpools in the country, great atmosphere, really friendly staff and excellent service. Very clean as well...

    Tracey Mosen - Te Awamutu    
    Rating: 10/10   12th July 2009
  11. Fantastic, a must after a day at the mountain!!

    Chrissie Crawshaw - Porirua,Wellington    
    Rating: 10/10   6th July 2009
  12. Great family outting location

    Peter Henare - Auckland, NZ    
    Rating: 10/10   24th April 2009
  13. Lovely staff and great pool. This place has such a nice feel to it. My little girl learnt to float on her tummy in the small pool. It was so nice one night with the steam rising and a full moon coming up among the stars.

    Aimee - NZ    
    Rating: 9/10   20th April 2009
  14. don't forget the trout in the creek, they love a feed of chips

    anonymous    
    29th March 2009
  15. I love this place. Its well worth the journey....Im not sure why people talk about it being old. Its been there along time. Its nice to read the history about it. Its so cheap. I find it a peaceful place and am only sorry I cant get there more often...Infact I think my girlfriend hinted she wanted to go up there for for relaxation tomorro night..Valentines day..Better than any present. My skin problems seem to settle alot after visiting..Thats a real bonus for me

    Michael Lockwood - Wanganui    
    Rating: 9/10   14th February 2009
  16. Enjoyed a wonderful dip in these pools after doing the Tongariro Crossing. Waht could be better? Hired a private pool for only $2 extra (and we could use the public pool afterwards as well for free). Just great. Sure it's a bit tired, but the staff and water are wonderful.

    Alan - UK    
    Rating: 9/10   21st December 2008
  17. gggggggrrrrrrrreat!!!

    Anonymous Person - NZ    
    Rating: 10/10   12th December 2008
  18. This is a nice hot pool for the family. It has a good/medium sized pool and a smaller shallow childrens pool. It is nice and hot and has a cold shower and a drink fountain near the pool. There is a nature walk near the pool that is free and along the path has plopping mud, steam and natural thermal boiling water. Also a traditional maori hungi area that is still in use.

    Ms Lee - Auckland, NZ    
    Rating: 9/10   14th July 2008
  19. I always go here for relaxation and for my bones, skin and hair. Everyone I bring here are impressed with the lovely staff and the entire facility. I don't care if it is old and would hate for it to be made modern. I am here for the water and the peace, not anything else. I love the natural beauty of the surrounding area which is graciously provided free to walk by the owners. The pricing is affordable. The best in the country.

    Christine Fiori - NZ    
    Rating: 10/10   25th May 2008
  20. Love the place, try and visit everytime i'm in nz. However the place needs a bit of TLC. Staff are awesome, price is good, but really starting to look old.

    Kate - Aus    
    Rating: 7/10   12th May 2008
  21. anonymous    
    Rating: 10/10   3rd April 2008
  22. If you haven't been to these pools, I'd recommend it. The private pools are exactly that, and have an open roof so you get a nice breeze. It was around 40 degrees, untreated thermal hot water, marvellous. You only get (and only need) 20 minutes in them and I would recommend taking a large bottle of water with you to both drink and cool yourself down a bit. After that we went to the outdoor public pool which was a much cooler and extremely pleasant 32 degrees. They are great to just sit in and relax. The waters treated so you can put your head under the surface. Recommend sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses when in the pool on a sunny day. It was my second visit in a 15 year period. I won't be waiting so long next time.

    Brent - Auckland    
    Rating: 7/10   29th January 2008
  23. One of the highlights of our tour of NZ in March. Gave me that extra boost to complete the tour of the country. Karen Gillis 9 Aug. 2007

    Karen Gillis - Dominion, NS. Canada    
    Rating: 9/10   10th August 2007
  24. Great place to relax. We go there heaps when up that way. Staff very friendly. Change rooms could do with being heated

    Lynne Whitworth - New Zealand    
    Rating: 8/10   27th June 2007
  25. anonymous    
    Rating: 9/10   3rd April 2007
  26. Tokaanu rates as my favourite commercial hot pool in NZ. I always build it into my trip itinerary when I'm in that part of the country.

    Tom - Hamilton, NZ    
    Rating: 10/10   18th March 2007
  27. Good value for money plus nice & hot! The private pools are great with the open roof to view the stars while soaking....very romantic!

    Tim - Wellington    
    Rating: 8/10   17th March 2007
  28. We went to Tokaanu Thermal Pools to soothe our aching legs the day after completing the Tongariro Crossing. After relaxing in the lovely warm outdoor pool, there is also a short walk (accessible from the carpark) around some small mud pools and thermal springs. Well worth stopping if you're passing and great value for money.

    Eilidh - Edinburgh UK    
    Rating: 8/10   8th February 2007
  29. would like to know opening hours +avaliablity of BBQ inoctober we are possibiliy bringing a group of cub scouts on a trip .

    fred van lier - waitakere    
    6th June 2006
  30. Great after a day in the snow

    Sean    
    Rating: 8/10   11th August 2005
  31. I always stop here and go for a soak every time we pass through (1956 - present)! The large public pool is one of the hottest, and always wear your sun glasses as its the glariest pool I have ever been in. There are private pools etc but we always go to the public large pool which is crystal clear and suitable for all kinds of weather.

    Denise Moffitt - Auckland NZ    
    Rating: 8/10   11th August 2005

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Photos


Tokaanu Thermal Pools :: Provided by Tokaanu Thermal Pools
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Provided by Tokaanu Thermal Pools


Tokaanu Thermal Pools :: Public Pool At Night. Provided by Tokaanu Thermal Pools
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Public Pool At Night. Provided by Tokaanu Thermal Pools


Tokaanu Thermal Pools :: Entrance. Provided by Tokaanu Thermal Pools
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Entrance. Provided by Tokaanu Thermal Pools


Tokaanu Thermal Pools :: Provided by Tokaanu Thermal Pools
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Provided by Tokaanu Thermal Pools


Tokaanu Thermal Pools :: Donated by Michael Lockwood and Lifong Hsu, Palmerston North
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Donated by Michael Lockwood and Lifong Hsu, Palmerston North


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