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West Coast Region [14 Hot Pools]

Cities/Towns In This Area: Greymouth, Hokitika

1. Mungo River Hot Springs

In the heart of the Southern Alps

We don't have a teaser for this hot pool. Can you write one?

2. Perth River Hot Springs

Perth River, above Scone Hut

A wild goose chase? Perhaps

3. Deception River Hot Springs

Deception River, Arthur's Pass National Park

More of a warm puddle than a hot pool. Nice for a wash when coming out of the Mingha-Deception tramp though. Little difficult to find so do your research beforehand! [Nic, Arthur's Pass]

4. Otehake River Hot Springs

Otehake Wilderness Area, Arthur's Pass

Two smaller pools big enough for 3 or 4 people to sit in. Very fine gravel bottom which finds its way in too places you rather it woudn't! Great bush setting with good camping spots within a stones throw of the hot pools. Access is up the Otehake Gorge involving numerous river crossings. [N. Tomkinson, NZ]

5. Taipo River Hot Springs

Taipo River, Arthur's Pass

The Taipo river hot pool is approx 8 hours walk from the main highway. 5mins walk from Julia hut on the edge of the Taipo river it is very hot and cold water from the river is needed to cool the pool down. [Richard Strong, West Coast]

6. Amethyst Hot Springs, Lower Wanganui River

Wanganui River, State Highway 6

Natural hot water pools on the side of a Westland river. Take industrial strength sandfly repellent and a camera - it's a beautiful location and a unique experience. [Joss, NZ]

7. Hot Spring Flat, Mid Wanganui River

Wanganui River, State Highway 6

About 5km upstream of Amethyst Hot Springs, on the opposite side of the river

8. Smythe Hut Hot Spring, Upper Wanganui River

Wanganui River

Very satisfying after the two day tramp in but can be a little cool. Stunning setting amongst huge river boulders. The tramp is extremely challenging and only recommended for very fit and experienced trampers. [anon.]

9. Fox River Warm Spring

Fox Glacier

We don't have a teaser for this hot pool. Can you write one?

10. Welcome Flat Hot Pools

Copland River, Westland National Park

About 25km south of Fox townships is the Copeland Track. Its about a 5 - 6 hour tramp up the Copeland Valley to Welcome Flat Hut which caters for about 50 people. 3 large hot pools with the best mountain views in NZ. Not ideal for a day walk but well worth spending a couple of nights in the hut. [Steve Hayward, Chch]

Make that 7-8 hour tramp through muddy forest, tough uphill rocky paths, cliff edge avalanche falls, two unpassable rivers if heavy rain and wire rope bridge over creek that is rusting and on its last legs. Hut caters for 36 indoors + camping ($15pp/$5pp camping). But lovely natural hot pools! [Patrick Williams, UK]

11. Haupiri River Hot Spring

Haupiri River

Had to get permission from Christian camp thing, before accessing track. Good walk into first major river crossing and is about fifty metres from main river junction, well tracked. Is a small muddy pool two people can sit in or one to laydown, also has a purpose built concrete bath next to it but was not in going order. Maybe there are better or bigger hot pools further up river? Some Sulphur smells further up Haupiri river but found none other than the one at the first river crossing junction. 2-3 hours max walk in to it. [Will Stephens, Greymouth]

12. Wren Creek Hot Springs, Cedar Flats

Toaroha River, 30km southeast of Hokitika

Feb 08 main hot pool was well built up with room for four. Hot enough to require slow entry, and of course exit... muddy bottom but plenty of flat sitting on rocks, remove these when you leave so they are clean for next weary bodies. [Mike Newport, Blaketown]

13. Waitaha River Hot Springs

Waitaha River

We don't have a teaser for this hot pool. Can you write one?

14. Glacier Hot Pools

Cron Street, Franz Josef Glacier

We don't have a teaser for this hot pool. Can you write one?