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Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland

Wai-O-Tapu Loop Rd, Rotorua, New Zealand
64 7 366 6333
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Ranked #5 of 38 attractions in Rotorua
Type: Hot Springs/ Geysers
Owner description: THOUSANDS OF YEARS IN THE MAKING, explore spectacular nature at New Zealand's most colourful natural volcanic area. Walk at your own pace - view the... more » Owner description: THOUSANDS OF YEARS IN THE MAKING, explore spectacular nature at New Zealand's most colourful natural volcanic area. Walk at your own pace - view the unique Champagne Pool, Sinter Terrace formations, Steaming Ground, Bubbling Mud, Expansive Vistas, Huge Volcanic Craters. The Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at 10.15am. Excellent facilities at modern Visitor Centre. « less
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1,023 reviews from our community

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Brisbane
Top Contributor
121 reviews 121 reviews
36 attraction reviews
Reviews in 87 cities Reviews in 87 cities
68 helpful votes 68 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2013 NEW

After Te Puia park, this was a bit of a let down as far as the culture aspect. It is a long walk around a number of "semi-active" thermal outpourings. The colours of the different springs were amazing and were not available at Te Puia. The park is quite extensive and takes some time to get around. There is quite... More

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See 3 more reviews by AntarcticBound for Rotorua
australia
Senior Contributor
46 reviews 46 reviews
17 attraction reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013

we did not realise that geyser is in a different area, which one has to drive to, before doing the rest of tour. no problem for us really.

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See 4 more reviews by piptrip for Rotorua
Auckland Region, New Zealand
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 May 2013

We visited wai-o-tapu as it was described as named; "Thermal wonderland". I was especially keen to see the "natural" wonder of lady Knox geyser, so we left early to see some of the park and then seethe geyser. I did wonder how they knew it would erupt at 10.15am everyday, so we sat in eager anticipation waiting. Then a guy... More

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Melbourne, Australia
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013 via mobile

This is interesting and very smelly of course! Remember to bring some water as once you are out walking there is no opportunity to get a drink. Beautiful colours and well worth seeing.

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See 2 more reviews by Minda75 for Rotorua
London, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2013 via mobile

The geyser at 10.15 is set off by hand which removes the excitement and anticipation you'd expect from a live geyser. The walks are well maintained but the bubbling pools are not worth the $30 entrance fee. Well looked after and maintained, just not that interesting/scenic. Quite disappointing.

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Auckland Central, New Zealand
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2013

Wai-O-Tapu is a must-visit in Rotorua. It's an amazing assortment of colourful craters and lakes, with chemical compounds (lots of heavy metals) precipitating to the surface and staining the ground with amazing colours. The one "drawback" of Wai-O-Tapu is it's very busy and has a bit of a "zoo" feel to it, it's just that each "exhibit" is geological instead... More

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See 6 more reviews by Nicole S for Rotorua
Auckland Region, New Zealand
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4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2013

Although the entry fee is quite pricey, the money was definitely worth it. Fantastic craters and pools, beautiful scenery, amazing colours and steam everywhere. Don't miss the geyser or the mud pools on the way in or out just off the main road. You do need comfortable walking shoes (it takes about 75 mins to walk around the whole area... More

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See 2 more reviews by anm18 for Rotorua
Singapore
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5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2013

We did rushed to get to the Thermal Wonderland as we were late from getting the correct direction and the traffic jams from our motel. But we did get to see the Lady Geyser from the audience seating and the natural exhibit were wonderful and educating.

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Auckland Region, New Zealand
Top Contributor
84 reviews 84 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
27 helpful votes 27 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

Plenty to see, interesting for kids, lots of questions for them to ask. Nice walk around the thermal areas. Lady Knox Geyser is good but short (i.e. 2 minute explosion), artificially generated. Worth a visit once.

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See 2 more reviews by babyboo01nz for Rotorua
Vancouver, Canada
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

Depending on your wallking ability, I would urge you to try all three trails, but definitely the first one that includes the spectacular artist's palette lake and the champagne pool, plus the Devil's bathtub. I had never been to an attraction with hot springs, pools and geysers. This one did feel you were in another world. It takes the better... More

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