That Natural Feeling

Mother Nature made a giant spa complex and she called it Aotearoa. Come and try one of her lesserknown natural hot pools.

SECRET HOT POOLS: Rotorua

Rotorua is all about thermal water, but few know that Lake Tarawera’s walking trail boasts more than what’s in the guidebooks. Starting from Te Wairoa car park, the 5km track conceals Wairua Stream Hot Pools, an all-natural lagoon hidden in thick bush. There are no signposts, but approximately 2.5 hours into the hike you’ll reach Te Wairua Stream Amenity. Look for a short detour; foliage often camouflages the path entrance but forge ahead and you’ll find a secluded hot pool. From here, it’s downhill to Hot Water Beach where you can have a secondary soak on the edges of Lake Tarawera.

RIVER REJUVENATION: Taupō

The cat’s been out of the bag about Spa Thermal Park for a while; now its popularity has led to an upgrade. Situated in a pocket where the freshwater Waikato River meets the steaming hot Otumuheke Stream, the water is warm and mineralrich. Bathe under the waterfall and then de-stress in its natural rock pool. While the recent regeneration has brought new bathrooms, a changing room and coffee shack, the vicinity remains pleasantly rough-hewn.

NOT THAT HOT WATER BEACH: Kāwhia

At low tide (and approximately two hours either side) make tracks to Ocean Beach in Kāwhia. Negotiate the dunes and clamber down onto the sand. Here, much like The Coromandel, you can dig a hole and wait for a rush of geothermal water to fill your DIY hot tub. The hordes have all raced to the east coast, so you can enjoy this slice of serenity undisturbed.

Kāwhia, Waikato © Getty Images

HOT OFF THE ROCKS: Hanmer Springs

What better way to bolster your next bike ride than with a heavenly dip in nature’s very own hot pools? Near Hanmer Springs, two pools gargle in the tussock. Known as Cow Stream Hot Springs, they’re fashioned out of rocks that have trapped the brook’s natural bubbles. It’s heaven on earth. The pools are found just off the Edwards Valley Track, or should you be tackling the St James Cycle Trail, a 10-minute detour off the main route between Scotties Hut and St James Homestead. You can also 4WD there but it’s nowhere near as rewarding.

HOT AT BOTH ENDS: Napier

Mangatutu Hot Springs are just the beginning. Located in Kaweka Forest Park, a narrow, 55km-long road leads to Puketitiri before a 25km hurtle along the wild, rocky and very gravelly Makahu Road. Eventually a little campsite appears and it’s here the Mangatutu Springs exist: a set of small but inviting wooden tubs fed by natural spring water. If you hike an additional two hours to DOC’s Te Puia Hut (and then follow the path for a further 30 minutes), Mangatainoka Hot Springs will appear out of the foliage, featuring sunken tubs and solar fairy lights.

St James Cycle Trail © Bevan Triebels

STARLIT POOLS: Southern Alps

For hardcore spa seekers, the Welcome Flat hot pool is found at the end of a demanding seven-hour hike. The Copland Track is 17km of spectacular forest, river and mountain scenery, culminating in the Welcome Flat Hut, complete with a large reedframed lagoon and stunning mountain views. Maintained by DOC, this is a five-star quality spa for zero dollar. Sitting just two minutes from the hut, you can skip to and from in your togs, and come nightfall, it twinkles under the stars.

MAN-MADE MENTIONABLES

Budget Friendly – The Mount Hot Pools, Mt Maunganui

The Mount Hot Pools, Mt Maunganui © Bay of Plenty Tourism

Two huge communal pools offer plenty of space and varying temperatures and there are kids’ pools and jacuzzis, too. Refurbed in April 2021.

Everyday Necessity – Ngāwhā Springs, Northland

Simple and traditional, natural thermal water bubbles from the earth into 16 geothermal pools. Following a $4.3 million refresh in 2020, there are now an additional eight private pools.

Weekend Treat – Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa

Spa, Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools © Hanmer Springs Photography

Relax in open-air thermal pools, escape to the spa and glide down the lazy river. When excitement beckons, fling yourself down SuperBowl waterslides and winding hydroslides.

Pushing The Boat Out – The Lost Spring, Whitianga

Open day and night, with grottos, gardens and cocktails delivered poolside, holiday mode kicks in immediately.

Splurge – Hot Tubs Ōmarama

Hot Tubs Ōmarama © Tourism Waitaki

Slink into your private outdoor hot tub filled with fresh mountain water and gaze across the lake.