Waikite Valley Thermal Pools Hot Pool Details :: Waikite Valley (halfway between Rotorua and Taupo), Rotorua :: nzhotpools.co.nz for the hot pools, hot springs, geothermal pools of NZ

The Living Waters of Waikite Valley Thermal Pools is located halfway between Taupo and Rotorua and was established in 1972. 10minutes off the main road and well sign posted.

Using the natural geothermal water (No chemicals added!) the complex sports a splash pool, sit n soak pool, a brand new tranquil garden pool and 2 private pools (temperature controlled by you!).

A short 5 minute walk will take you to the Te Manaroa spring, which is the largest single source of boiling water in NZ.

After taking the waters relax and enjoy a treat from the fully licensed Pookeko in a Ponga Tree Cafe.

Adjoining the pools complex is a small 20 site camp ground with shower, laundry & kitchen facilities ideal for those traveling by van or those are tenting.

Directions

Interactive Map

Facilities

My Experience

Waikite Thermal Pools has always been a favourite of mine. Especially after a substantial facelift in 2001 it is a beautiful place to visit. I like to tent overnight, and have a BBQ breakfast and lunch the next day with several dips in the pools.

50 Bather Reviews

I loved Waikite last Sept and I've just booked again for this Sept. These are the best pools in NZ, I spent my hols travelling around in a van, sitting in my PJ's watching the snow come down after a full day in the pools. Brill.Best nights sleep ever.

susiebriz - australia
15th July 2010
Nice Pools and pleasant surroundings. For a free warm swim around here continue along Waikite Valley road west from the pool several hundred metres and turn right (north) onto Corbett road about 100m along here is a bridge under the bridge is a fair sized pool in the stream. When I was there after recent rain it was a nice temperature, it might get too hot if there had been no rain for a while.
[WARNING: The steam temp is often dangerously hot: 50 - 60 degrees, can also be fast flowing, and the bank is undermined in places therefore making it potentially dangerous for people (especially kids) standing on the bank and it giving way. You are advised to stay out of the stream.Sheldon Nesdale, NZHotPools.co.nz]

Philip - Upper Hutt
Rating: 8/10 1st July 2010
What more can one say, all the comments below says it all, Loved the place and will be going back soon, Good on ya staff and management, its a joy to be there

Pete - Hamilton
Rating: 9/10 30th June 2010
I loved this place!! I went with my whanau, had never been before and loved every moment of it... So relaxing and calming.... I'm comin home next year so I will definately be there... Kiddies and All...

Luana Thomas - Perth, Western Australia
Rating: 10/10 16th February 2010
I think this is the best place I've been too (twice now) so far...and I've been looking. Great complex, clean, lots of pool options and places to lie around quietly. Love being outdoors and sitting in a hot pool so close to the source. The 'camping' area is a bit of an after thought, but not a show stopper.

The Campbells - NZ
Rating: 9/10 1st November 2009
Beautiful, relaxing and family friendly. The walk to the spring is great. Feels like a hidden valley, you just have to know where to turn off the main road.

Stephen K - New Zealand
Rating: 9/10 5th August 2009
Fantastic, the highlight of our weekend away, a long soak in the private pools was just superb, having full control of the pool temperature was the added bonus, highly recommended

Wayne & Kelley - New Zealand
Rating: 10/10 28th July 2009
The pools are wonderful, it is so nice to have all the different temperatures to choose from. We stayed in the campgrounds, with some friends and all had an awesome weekend. The facilities were clean and the staff were all very friendly and helpful. The food in the cafe was nice, served quickly after ordering and good and fresh. I think the other highlight is the walk to see the spring - very impressive. We will be back for sure :-)

David & Penny - New Zealand
Rating: 10/10 17th July 2009
Sheer delight - can't fault it!

JJ - Huntly
Rating: 10/10 16th July 2009
Heaven on Earth! Literally! and THE best carrot cake, wedges, nachos, hot chocolates, food, pools. I LOVE YOU WAIKITE VALLEY!! I will be back!!

Jaxom Corbett - Perth, Australia
Rating: 10/10 15th July 2009
Well what can one say. Great Place for a swim even on a cold winter day with the family. Most relaxing. Well worth a trip to enjoy

Bill Webber - Hamilton /NZ
6th July 2009
A wonderful complex hidden away from the main state highway. We love to go for weekends in our motorhome and stay in the small camp ground at the pools. Camp fees include free all day use of the pools. Its well worth the short walk to the top of the stream to see the hot water springs. Highly recommended.

Judith Bishop - Thames New Zealand
Rating: 10/10 1st July 2009
fantastic for relaxing and soaking

margaret wilkins - wanganui
Rating: 10/10 15th April 2009
Superb, been 3 times now in 4 months, better than any we tried in Rotorua. Clean, kids love it and set in stunning scenery. We live an hour & 20 mins away and well worth the trip for us

Pete - Cambridge / New Zealand
Rating: 10/10 8th April 2009
the best, they deserve a higher rating than 10. staff very helpful. Have been here here many times & will always suggest it to others . thankyou

maurice - auckland
Rating: 10/10 26th March 2009
The best of all hot pools-cum-camps by far. Very friendly staff, good little camping ground, great food in the cafe, very clean, water replaced daily. Highly recommended.

Margaret - New Zealand
Rating: 10/10 14th March 2009
We live here in Rotorua and I would have to say this is the best venue to go to out of all the others, Polanesian Spy, Waiora Spa, etc. Its a bit of a drive, 20 mins or so, but its great value for money, not crowded like poly spa, its in a rural setting, very tranquil. Worth checking out!

Local - Rotorua
Rating: 10/10 29th December 2008
Pools were good but my wallet was stolen,and credit card as well no cameras are in place and they could do nothing for me.Will never go back.

yin sing - china
Rating: 4/10 26th November 2008
I am always proud to take overseas visitors to this awesome pool complex. Peaceful, idyllic, beautiful setting, I always feel refreshed.

Ingrid - Rotorua
Rating: 10/10 29th October 2008
great place also for camping... take the walk to the spring as well as it gives great insides and only takes minutes... we love it!!!!

Michael Pfaue - Germany
Rating: 10/10 29th September 2008
We just loved it!!!! Fantastic, beautiful scenery, delcious food, lovey clean pools and great team. A special thanks to Emma and Natalie who went out of their way to help us in everyway possible. Thanks guys we will definately be back.

Sam and Karen - Uk
Rating: 10/10 5th September 2008
Was back in nZ for 1 week from the USA and headed straight to Waikite with my grandsons and as always,Mark and Lisa have done more work at the springs,the best hot springs in the world! I have travelled the world for 30 years and where ever i go i visit hot pools and these are the best. Great people. Clean,clear high flow of water. beautiful enviroment relaxed and layed back with a great food to enjoy. Thanks Mark ,Lisa and your cool team for making NZ a place to look forward to come back too! thank you steve

Steve Collins - NZ
Rating: 10/10 3rd September 2008
it was cool pool to go to thanks for it and to relax in

susana - new zealand
5th March 2008
it is a very cool place to go to and relax i loved it

kasey - new zealand
5th March 2008
Totally awesome pools. Lovely location with a fantastic chilled-out atmosphere. The cafe serves good coffee and food to die for. Had the best salad sandwich ever which was a work of art! Very family friendly and also good value if you camp there too. Cannot wait to go again.

Farrar Family - UK now NZ :0)
Rating: 10/10 20th January 2008
coming over Feb 08, and cant wait to hit those spring,s you have sold me. Cheers from Canada. merry xmas to you.

ED Reeves - Nanaimo ,British Columbia,Canada
14th December 2007
Fantastic spot to soak up the warm water, enjoy the company and eat delicious food! Is a must!

Carrie Fergusson - Auckland, NZ
Rating: 10/10 15th October 2007
Loved Waikete Valley Thermal Pools. Went for a wee look while zooming past on a campervan holiday and ended up booking into the campground for the night. Magical setting and just the perfect depth for the kids. Enjoyed our meal at the cafe too.

Rachel Happy - Auckland
Rating: 10/10 1st October 2007
I have gone to Waikite since I was a baby. I have always loved it and had heaps of great family holidays there - now I can give my son and husband the same neat experience. Its wonderful to see the awsome upgrades that have been made to the complex while keeping its relaxed, "off the beaten track" feel. Please Bring back the BBQ'S!

Jade, Mart and Josh - Hamilton, NZ
Rating: 9/10 3rd September 2007
The best pool I've been to so far, this place is magical with all the thermal activity going on around you, steam rising from behind the bushes etc. Facilties were spotless, excellent showers and the staff were really friendly. Visited 8/08/07

Di
Rating: 10/10 12th August 2007
A really nice place. Both "relaxing" pools were lovely and it was great to lay there and watch the sun setting while the stars came out. I hope to make it back with the family one day and would definitely stay longer.

Tony Morris - Truro, UK
Rating: 7/10 26th July 2007
Loved the variety of pools and the informative ecowalk was great. The only slight downside was the rather slippery tiles in the family pool

Molly Ryan - South Africa
Rating: 10/10 25th June 2007
Excellent! great place for the family or just mum and dad for some quality time together. Worth the trip from Tokoroa {45min away} far nicer than those in Rotorua city area or Taupo. Have taken many a visitor from overseas {wife's family and friends from the UK} and all have been very impressed. We have all the central north island pools within an easy hours drive from home, yet constantly return to Waikite Valley pools. Great food etc at cafe as well.

Darryn - Tokoroa/NZ
Rating: 10/10 13th May 2007
The Waikite Valley Thermal Pools are lovely. The open air thermal pools are supplied with hot water by the adjacent and thoroughly impressive Te Manaroa spring, which discharges 40-50 litres of boiling water every second.

Eilidh - Edinburgh UK
Rating: 10/10 8th February 2007
Loved Waikite hot pools! The natural surrounds complimented a clean and friendly atmosphere. The pools were so hot and fresh and we enjoyed reading about the springs nearby - the experience started in the carpark learning about how they cool the water from 98 degrees C to 38 degrees C. We will definitely visit next time.

Tania Smith - Australia
Rating: 10/10 1st February 2007
Visited on 14th November 2006 - A wonderfull experience, small friendly camp site, friendly non-commercial atmosphere and the pools a real bonus. I would recommend it to anyone.

D B Simmonds - England
Rating: 10/10 12th January 2007
friendly service even for unbooked campers.was there a week ago. restaurant food excellent and well priced. kids enjoyed the real thermal pools compared to other chlorinated artificially heated swimming pools of other resorts. the springs are a spectacular sight if the breeze blows away the steam. lockers handy next to pool.affordable camping fees.walkway beautiful ferns and mosses. pools HOT! best real commercial thermal pools in NZ. we loved it

werner - australia
Rating: 10/10 9th October 2006
A wonderful late afternoon outing for a family outing for all ages.The facilities were excellent and to finish the day the food was very appetising and reasonably priced. We wwill be recommending to all our overseas visitors. Glenis King -Auckland 28th September 2006

glenis king - auckland N.Z.
Rating: 9/10 1st October 2006
A wonderful late afternoon outing for a family outing for all ages.The facilities were excellent and to finish the day the food was very appetising and reasonably priced. We wwill be recommending to all our overseas visitors. Glenis King -Auckland 28th September 2006

glenis king - auckland N.Z.
Rating: 9/10 1st October 2006
Love Waikite Pools. Been coming here since the days when there was only the one pool, before the new cafe was built. The changes are amazing. Well done. Highly recommended

Linda Stenson - Hastings New Zealand
Rating: 10/10 29th September 2006
Love Waikite Pools. Been coming here since the days when there was only the one pool, before the new cafe was built. The changes are amazing. Well done. Highly recommended

Linda Stenson - Hastings New Zealand
Rating: 10/10 29th September 2006
Very nice - it'll be even nicer when they've finished the building work

anonymous
Rating: 9/10 16th August 2006
As a local who hasn't been for about 12mths, we have just enjoyed a couple of hours at the pools. The staff are very friendly, new changing rooms are great, food is also lovely. Looking forward to the new pool opening that will overlook the river and bush scenery. It is only a 20min drive from Rotorua and if you're lucky you will get to see a donkey and a family of kuni kuni pigs in a paddock by the one way bridge. Absolutely fabulous and we will go back.

Sonia and Tim - New Zealand
Rating: 9/10 29th July 2006
Always clean beautiful water and very friendly accomodating staff. Always enjoy our visits both with & without the grandchildren

Lynda Wilson - NZ
Rating: 9/10 25th June 2006
Waikite hotpools are Rotoruas best kept secret. As a local patron I have visited every hotpool in the region and Waikite is my favourite. Clean, no smell, high volume of water flow flushing thru the pools 24\7 which keeps the pool water very clean. Nice rural kiwi setting with a very good cafe with excellent unique kiwi food. Excellent friendly, helpful staff. Thank you Emma and the team. It is so good I will drive 25 minutes to Waikite when ever we go hotpooling instead of the overcrowded, highly commercialised city facilities.

Steve Collins - Rotorua
Rating: 10/10 13th March 2006
A wonderful and enjoyable experience! Had the best time!!!!!

Cleo - England
Rating: 10/10 29th January 2006
The best place I have ever been to.

Debbie Peach - Pukekohe. New Zealand.
Rating: 10/10 26th January 2006
It's not just about the water, which is soft and lovely, it's the whole package, the environment, location and people - Waikite is the best!

Carla Pike - New Zealand
Rating: 10/10 23rd December 2005
Lovely relaxing private pools - clean, running mineral water, temperature adjustable, beautiful outlook. Would have preferred an hour rather than 40 minutes though. Excellent cafe, great coffee and food - attractively presented. Drive through lovely countryside to get there.

H Dare - Auckland
Rating: 9/10 28th October 2005
Great location, great facilities!

Greg Hooper - Rotorua
Rating: 8/10 3rd October 2005