Reviews of Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave. (Museum) in Taupō (Waikato).

Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave

1937 Reviews

403 Comments

Museum

Tourist attraction

Tour agency

Tourist information center

494 Orākei Kōrako Road, Taupo 3083, New Zealand

Description

Information of Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave, Museum in Taupō (Waikato)

Here you can see the location, open hours, popular times, contact, photos and real reviews done by the users.

This place has good reviews, this means that they treat their customers well and you’ll feel great with their services, recommended 100%!

Map

Open hours of Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave

Reviews of Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave

B. B.

We had a really fun day at this park with the kids. Lots of unique geothermal wonders to see and includes a boat ride over the river. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Wasn't cheap but price seemed about right considering the operating cost of a business like this. I have a feeling that this business will have really suffered from the lack of international tourism (it was very quite, mid summer). So please support if you can. On a hot day take lots of water as it is ridiculously hot with the heat coming from underneath added.

R. W.

Fantastic experience! I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. There are silica terraces, hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and even a geothermal cave (viewed from a platform). There’s a convenient wooden boardwalk that covers three zones - which can be completed in 1 or 2 hours depending on your pace. The steps have wooden railings so that all ages can enjoy. There’s a short ferry ride across the lake which takes you to the site. This is included in the admission price. If you have the time, it’s definitely worth that going to see. Just remember to bring plenty of water and a hat!!! It can get pretty warm, particularly on a hot day!

P. S.

Definitely worth a visit if you are staying in Taupo or Rotorua as it's located between both cities. I visited the park a couple weeks ago when the temperature was a bit warmer. Bring plenty of water on a hot day! The board walk is 80% well-formed and maintained. However, I personally won't go there on a wet day or after a heavy rain. It will be pretty slippery and some part of the track (up toward the cave) can be muddy.

M. D.

Such an amazing place! Scenery is great, experience fantastic and atmosphere out of this world. We all enjoyed it, not only the geothermal activity is so nice but the staffs are great! 100% recommended

D. S.

Great place visitor center was nice with view over the lake to the geothermal feld paying for the boat Ride over the lake was painless ,no waiting straight on board for the short trip. Cleat safety to instructions and signage, to remind you that this is a active geothermal feld. Also the water us hot! Board walks over the feld are generally low raise but there is some climbing up stairs , don't forget your water. We didn't see any big steamy eruption s if gizers but the were bubbling and boiling with the occasional bigger effect. I found somewhat hypnotic nice look outs over everything. The mud pools were not at there best although still entertaining there was some bird song in the bush we were enthralled by the antic's of a fantail that followed us go a while , once back to the landing the boat came straight over to pick us up. All in all well worth it

T. K.

Fantastic , we're there 7years ago and found it much more enjoyable this time as you are alowed to park your motorhome up for the night if you have taken the trip across the river . There is a Tesla charger station in one corner of the car park . Very clean toilets. DOG friendly must be on a leash or under control . Our little shihtzu ( Woof Woof ) found it to be no trouble going up the steps to the Cave . The only 2 changes since last time , was first aid kits on the way to the Cave and you could not go right to the bottom of the Cave. But still managed to get photos of the bottom and take selfies with the bottom of the Cave in the back ground . It takes just under 2hrs around trip with rests on the way . And a nice peaceful spot for the night right on the Waikato River . Coffee and lite food available .

J. S.

Just the most loveliest spot and wonderful folks! Great coffee and the perfect place to relax.

I. C.

Absolutely awesome experience. Great to see geothermal activity in a natural environment giving easy access to the sights in a safe setting. The colours and thermal activity must be seen as photos just don’t capture the reality of this place. Staff are very friendly and helpful.

J. a. M. A.

Amazing afternoon visit here well worth the cost of admission. We were able to take it our own pace and took tons of photos. Friendly and accommodating staff. I visited Rotorua years ago. This was better - hands down!

B. F.

Just off SH 1 this is a great place to visit to break up a longer journey if you want to bypass Taupo. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, its a short boat ride across to the park where you can spend roughly an hour or so walking around. There plenty of steps but its not a difficult walk. Lots of geothermal activity to see. Would definitely visit again.

S. R.

This place is a must visit, the colours are amazing, the walk is so diverse from geysers to a beautiful forest walk, the tracks are very well maintained.

B. F.

Always have wondered what this place was about. Went on a rainy day, got the park to ourselves. What a treasure, well priced and exercise to boot.

S.

Very cool, a nice walk around the geothermal wonderland after a short boat ride. A must do with small children as they can easily do this walk. And on a hot day, a nice place to sit and eat an icecream.

S.

Was ok. If you've been to other geothermal parks, this one is not particularly different in any way. The geothermal pools are cool but no different than anywhere else. Forest walks were ok, whole walk took maybe an hour. Boat trip across the lake was 5min and didn't add anything to the experience. We paid $42 entry. Would say it's worth $20 max and wouldn't go again. Staff nice enough.

N.

Amazing views. Staff were very pleasant and were very informative about the area and river wildlife. Definitely a must do if in the area.

j. j.

Absolutely awesome experience! Ancient thermal activity untouched & naturally magnificent. Certainly a hidden treasure. Very professional and beautifully set out with friendly helpful staff. Photos do not do it justice you need to experience it to feel the heat, smells & thermal activity for yourself.

K.

Beautiful views. Café and boat staff are lovely. Owner very kindly allowed us to charge our car so we could get a little further down the road.

M.

A workmate recommended this place and it absolutely exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend! Super friendly staff, amazing views, crazy geothermal activity and great infrastructure. They have done an amazing job! Congrats to all the Orakei Korako team :) definitely a must do!

C. C.

We could have spent hours there just listening to the bird song and soaking up the stunning location. So interesting to see the different geo thermal areas. Good clear information, and you can purchase a book that explains things further. Well worth the trip off the main highways. Wear good shoes. The track is about 2.5km of well maintained wooden track.

J.

Well worth the visit. Nicely set out by the river and comprehensive boardwalks. Doesn't take too long and not too arduous. Simple but nice cafe, and nice people. Tesla charger available for those interested.

P. D.

A fantastic way of going off the normal tourist track and see geothermic activity in a near untouched New Zealand bush. The raw power involved is scary yet thrilling. Stick to the path and you won't go wrong. The Cafe is worth checking out too, even just for the coffee. They make an awesome Flat White here. The staff are very friendly and helpful..

M. F.

Lovely easy walk in nature, seeing the different colours that volcanic activity can create. The mudpools are really nice too. Lovely place and lovely people at the counter too. I definitely recommend

l. p.

Staff were kind and lovely, weather was not the most sunny but the walk was quite pleasant. Nice to get close to nature. They lent us umbrellas for extra comfort at the walk too.

T. P.

Awesome experience visiting this thermal area. It worths visiting for sure. We really enjoyed this visit.

A. B.

It is a beautiful self guided tour the walk is really nice. The stairs are level which is rare. I fall allot so that's important to me lol. The kids loved it well worth the money I definitely suggest going.

T. D.

A short detour to arrive in this fascinating geothermal wonderland. Cross the river and you're surrounded by mud pools and colourful landscape set in the bush. Explore this unique site following well-marked trails.

J. M.

Absolutely amazing place. Highly recommended. Staff and boat driver were friendly and the Geothermal park was incredible. Didn’t see any geysers go off but not complaining as it’s nature and no one can control that (other reviewers need to not be stupid and realise this) . A few members from our party did see one go off several times from the other side of the river. All in all an amazing experience.

I.

Very enjoyable self-guided walk through geothermal park. Limited access for wheelchair etc, which is as advertised. Suitable for children, 2.5k walk

T.

We visited this thermal attraction on a wet day and it still turned out to very nice experience The facilities are in top notch condition All the paths are well laid out for a very scenic walk through some unique geothermal features and some beautiful native bush Highly recommended visit Just a pity these places are so quiet with the lack of tourists Deserve more for the effort that is put into keeping Orakei Korako looking pristine

J. R.

OMG, This is a must see. Best place to have been to for thermal activity. Great staff, amazing walk/ views. 10 of 10.

j. m.

Amazing place...apart from an active geyser which erupts on an estimated time it has everything. And wide wooden steps r easy to walk. Wonderful colors, mudpool , a small cave and nice lush greenery. Nice place. Recommended. And one thing why drones are not allowed I don't understand...a wonderful place to take a birds eye view.

L. S.

A fantastic day, from the people who work there, who couldn't be nicer, to the whole experience. Such a well thought out walk that is breathtaking.

T. I.

Great half day option. Must see when in Taupu. If you walk quickly it’s around less than 1 hour loop, but if you take some time and photos while stopping, could take time up to 2hours. Ferry takes quickly to location from visitor center. Very friendly staff and nice dogs close by. Lovely place with a lot of information. We got free tea and coffee after tour. Thanks!

K. W.

I had forgotten the up and down nature of the site but it was worth the climb up and down of every step. Orakei Korako is simply nature at her most creative. The site is accessed by a short boat ride and then you follow the boardwalks to find magic around you. This is a must do.

R. k.

Absolutely stunning, we've been to a few geothermal parks and this has been the best. My kids loved the little boat ride, staff were super helpful and friendly too.

E. B.

Fabulous thermal park that exceeded our expectations. Excellent value, and amazing for families. Lovely staff, would definitely visit again.

P. R.

Great experience. We took two small children, who wouldn't have made the full walk on their own and we were really pleased to see that they had child carrier backbacks that could be borrowed for free. The walk has a lot of stairs, so it isn't suitable for a pram. The kids walked about half of it and we carried them for the rest. They've done a great job balancing safety with maintaining a feeling of being really close to the geysers. The walk is a good distance - it's short, but with a lot of uphill (and a small child on your back) you wouldn't want it to be too much longer.

S. B.

Great place to get close to mother nature and see geysers. Staff is friendly and they also provide free of charge a backpack for babies. The walk is on a secure and easy wooden path and takes an hour but there are lots of steps. Definitely a must see!

N. N.

A fabulous place which is not as overrun as many other volcano parks. The entry fee is on the more pricey side, however it was worth it. There are small geysers, colorous holes, mud pools, terraces which you can check out on a 2km track (took us approx. 1 hour to complete). The cave was not that fascinating (you cannot enter it).

D. C.

Very reasonable $39 per adult, 2 minute trip across the water to this fantastic landscape, tread boardwalks most of the way, must see!

R. T.

A well run operation that allows safe exploration and appreciation of a unique site. Good info boards, and great labels on the native trees as well.

G.

Great location that is unfortunately easy to miss as it is a little out of the ways. Better than the Craters on the Moon in Taupo. Short boat ride takes you across to the geothermal area, the walk is fairly easy but there are quite a few stairs. Thankfully there are benches spaced out fairly regularly which also give you a chance to enjoy the gorgeous scenery.

Y. N.

Definitely worth visiting this gem located about 15 mins drive from. State Highway 1 near Taupo. You take a boat ride across the lake and take your time to wonder around the geo thermal at your own speed. There is a cafe, clean toilets, friendly staff with plenty of parking. Dogs are allowed as well. It takes about 2-3 hours to complete the tour. I believe you can also park your self contained camper van or caravan.

S.

Great. Love the boat across the lake to start the adventure. It's quieter and more peaceful than a lot of other geothermal sites that are closer to a centre. Well worth the beautiful drive and I'd go again. A must see if you're in Taupo or Rotorua.

V. J.

Good place to visit only once in a life time because its bit expensive compare to other geo thermal parks. $38 per adult. Can get online 10% discount which is helpful. Nice boat ride to the geothermal park and good 40 min easy walk on the park. Can see geo thermal activities, mud pools and a cave.

G.

What a privilege to be able to see this stunning place. Alot of steps but totally worth it! Highly recommend you come for yourself 😀

D. S.

One of nicer and more picturesque thermal parks. Short boat trip across the lake to get to the features. Nice gentle walk around the place along well constructed paths and walkways. The place is considerably warmer due to the volcanic activity so recommend taking water and staying cool.

T.

Great place, totally worth it. Very well maintained tracks.

A. L.

A spectacular place. The boat trip over is very short. The geology features are amazing. Loved it there.

J. R. A.

Orakei Korako was a great destination. The trail and stairs are fine and family friendly. The geothermal landscape was both tranquil and exciting! A lovely introduction to the Taupo/Rotorua geothermal destinations!

T.

A great place to see some awesome thermal activity. The place has some good history worth knowing about too. Some Maori history and also the loss of all the thermal activity from the flooding of the valley to create Lake Ohakuri In 1961. There was about a dozen big geysers destroyed by this. It's unique also with the ferry trip across the river to the thermal site. Finish your day with a coffee in the cafè..😉

S. S.

One of the best Geothermal Parks in New Zealand with plenty to see while emersing yourself in nature. The paths are all in great condition with various lookout points to soak in the all the natural features. Excellent views over the water to top it all off.

J. H.

All of the strong geothermal activity lead to several fascinating formations the a ferry takes you across the lake to see. The cost was $50 and worth it to see a myriad of colours created by sulfuric water, mud and minerals bubbling up from the thin crust and warm volcanic activity below. Silica flats bloomed white up the hillside and several eery sinkholes peppered across the flows. The footpath was without railings and allowed the viewers to walk very much immersed in their surroundings and it was a refreshing change to see a business inviting people into the natural setting and entrusting them with responsibilities to take care and be maturely mindful of their surroundings, which could pose quite dangerous threats if not approached with respect. The cave, while understandably very rare because of its geothermal activity in its base, was not what was expected and felt more like a cut out in the cliff with a bubbling blue pool at the bottom. Do not come if the cave is your interest, come for the silica flats and vibrant colours.

T. H.

Lovely place to spend a few hours and see some natural geothermal activity. A little boat ride takes you across to the park and a clear walkway and signage directs you around the park between viewing spots. Easy in trainers without a problem, just wooden walkways and steps to navigate around. Hot geysers, mud pools and caves among the things to see. Mud pools were quite mesmerising and the hot geysers are fascinating! Lots of birds song along the woodland trail too.

L. P.

The geothermal formations are amazing and it's a nice relaxed walk around the park. Perfect after an adventure filled day :)

L. C.

The geothermal landscape is unique and beautiful in that uniqueness. What variety of color. You are so close to everything that it's neat to bend down in the safer areas and take a closer look at the landscape. A few of the geysers spit out water while we were there and that was neat. It takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to walk the entire park, this includes stopping to take pictures. There are information placards along the walk. The walk itself isn't very difficult but there are some stairs. There's a bush portion of it you can take and that was lovely too. To get to the park you purchase a ticket at the shop and then take a boat across the river to the park. The boat comes and goes so often that you wait maybe 5 minutes before getting on. Takes just a minute or two to cross the river.

T. B.

Very nice place. It's not so full of people like other places. It's fun to get across with a boot and than start your walk. It takes about one hour and can be done by young and old.

P.

A lot more isolated from the tourist this island is full of treasures! A patchwork of colours and shapes to leave you in awe! It will take about 1h30 to walk all around.

J. W.

Walking track gets you right in the middle of an interesting area. Great walking track (steps). Self guided. Friendly and good value.

S. S.

A boat ride over to the Geysers, an excellent planked walkway meant our son who had broken his leg could enjoy the walk to. Great to see an accessible outdoor activity such as this. Would recommend. Not completely accessible for wheelchairs though, as there are steps. Stunning views, amazing natural occurance where you can get up close to the bubbling Geysers without being in danger.

C. J.

A brief ferry ride and a good walk where you get to see a variety of geothermal features in some really beautiful scenery. The boardwalks are well maintained and the signs are informative. Staff were friendly. Didn't try the cafe but the building was nice and modern and the toilets were clean. They say it takes an hour to walk around but if you like to stop and take photos allow 1.5 to 2 hours

L. “. C. A.

Very peaceful setting, self guided walk at least an hour on your own pace. Would recommend.

I. T.

Incredibly beautiful place. No crowd, no noisy guide, no rush. Just you, your friend or your family and these silent charming and really amazing views. I love it!

j. a.

A wonderfulyl stunning piece of the world one can best describe as " Mother Earth's Surprise. " Spectacular views, peaceful and naturally beautiful. An absolute must if you visit this area.

G. U.

Orakei park made me realise how young New Zealand is in the greater scheme of things as it is in essence still forming. The views are spectacular and gives you some good Instagram fodder lol! The information provided along the way of how geothermic activity works and specifics on that specific site could have been better. You take a short boat ride across a river to the park. Give yourself two hours to see the entire park. Boat leave whenever there is people who want to visit it.

J. M.

What an amazing walk and the natural bush was beautiful. The walk is almost entirely on timber a little above the ground. The unique setting is amazing and the formations of the rocks pretty awesome

H. P.

we enjoyed it alot

S. B.

Nice park. Was there mid of May in the morning. We had the hole park for us alone. You will be go to the park by boat and plan to walk at least one hour. Very nice place and a lot to see.

D. K.

Great experience and natural formations here. Unique in NZ. Easy access but no wheelchairs.

B. H.

Orakei Korako is a magical thermal gem hidden away from the main tourist routes on New Zealand. Set on and above a river bank the hidden, almost prehistoric, wonderland's entry is only attainable via a short boat ride. Upon exploring the terraced steaming landscape over safe wooden walkways, the visitor is dazzled by the beautiful coloured surface patterns, the endless steam clouds and bubbling geysers. A Jurassic park like experience without the worry of being huntered by raptors!

E.

A must see! The geothermal park is beautiful and easy to navigate. We loved the bubbling mud pools and the geothermal cave, it was a serene experience with native birds and bush. The owner/operators are lovely and we enjoyed a good chat. The facilities are tidy and well kept, you can tell the place is really looked after. All in all would recommend Orakei Korako to tourists and kiwis!

A.

Really enjoyable easy walk. Thoroughly enjoyed it

N. D.

We really enjoyed our walk around this place. Much quiter than Wai-o-tapu and worth the trip. We completed the whole circuit in an hour. We didn't rate this place 5 stars as there is very little information, there are little signs around the walk but they are very old and have only a few sentences discussing specific features; would be great to know more about this place and how Maori used geothermal and natural resources in the past. Crew were very friendly and the ferry was on time and very quick. We will definitely come back.

V. C.

Great place. So amazing that nature can produce such beautiful colours.

D. v.

Fantasic place a must visit. Make sure you take water with you in the summer months its quite warm.

D. S.

A short 2.2km walk around the geothermal springs. Most of the walkways are wooden, but there are a few sections of dirt. The staff is extremely friendly. Be cautious walking when wet.

R.

This is a beautiful place to visit. The scenery is fascinating, and we had an very peaceful time there. The walkways are very well kept and easy to traverse, but there are quite a few steps overall. With frequent stops for photos and taking breaks, count on about 90 minutes to get round the whole valley.

P.

This is another Must-Do's if you are in Taupo-Rotorua area. It's not too far either from Taupo or Rotorua. The Emerald Terrace is the largest of its kind in New Zealand. We went there on a wet, miserable day but we all enjoyed the walk through the valley which remains unchanged through thousands of years.

F. B.

Very cool!! Not very touristy at all and plenty of interesting things to see. The best geothermal experience in new Zealand.

l. m.

This is such an incredible, beautiful place to explore. The walkways are nicely done & easy to walk. Good signage.

G. M.

Absolutely amazing place, staff were friendly and helpful. The boat ride and walks were fun the scenery and views were stunning beutiful colours.

D. B.

Exceptional!! Uncrowded but professional operation that includes a boat ride from the centre to the park. It is non touristy and that gives it authenticity. Given it is young (up to 14,000 years BC), it is a work in progress that is exciting to see. The paths are immaculate but bring walking shoes. It is a pallate of colours so bring a camera/video instead of a camera phone. You'll need it to capture the colours and sounds. Highly, highly recommended and I wish they could sell an MP3 of bubbling mud and boiling water as it makes for a wonderful sound.

S. M.

Orakei Korako in my opinion is one of the nicer geothermal areas in New Zealand. It is a very clean facility right throughout. The colours of all the geothermal activity is amazing and plentiful. The park is well laid out with plenty of interpretive signage around.

D. S.

Having been here as a teenager it was great to revisit 50 years later. The amenities were great but across the lake the terraces seemed unchanged but that was the bonus.

F. I.

Amazing place. Never seen before geothermal activities. It's really worth to visit this place. If you have or intend to buy a ticket then you can stay with your self contained vehicle on the car park the night before or even after. This place is so quiet and peaceful.

M. H.

Really worth the drive and the visit! Not too busy compare to some others geothermal parks but truly fascinating. Geysers, fault scarp, terraces, hot pools, cave, bush walk, mud pools... every step brings you a new scenery and a new atmosphere. Staff very friendly.

P. N. Z.

I have seen a lot of wonderful geothermal activity in my life (Yellowstone is really amazing). But in New Zealand, it is generally hit and miss (mostly miss): think geysers that are stuffed with socks to control when they go off and tiny fenced off areas and thermal areas full of trash and beer bottles. Orakei Korako is none of that; it is really great. You take a small boat across a small but beautiful lake, with lots of mountains and trees in the background to the geothermal path. If you are patient, you will see many things going off. There are geysers, soda springs and mudpools. A great variety of geothermal activity with lots of pretty colors. You do need to walk and there are many steps, so it is not really for a person in a wheelchair, but if you can walk, and you appreciate natural things like this, you will enjoy it. You are allowed to camp there, but they shut the toilets at night. It is really the best geothermal activity I have seen in New Zealand.

t.

Awesome place to visit an if you have a camper van they allow you to stay over nite free of charge with the money to go an see

Á. L.

Nicely maintained thermal wonderland, including a short ferry ride and a walk in beautiful native bush. Great half a day program with family!

P. V.

This was SO COOL!!! At first when we got there I was unsure at paying the price to do a basic walk. But when we got over there it was totally worth it! The paths are really well maintained and there is good information signs along the track. It was well worth it as everything was different along the track but all really awesome things to occur naturally. The ferry captain on the way over was also very enthusiastic about the geysers going off which is great to see from someone who must be used to that happening daily.

M. T.

Absolutely loved this park, so beautiful and in the perfect setting! Well worth a visit + the staff are great.

K. P.

Pretty cool place to check out for a few hours. You have to take a boat to get across. You could see the activity going on and feel the steam.

T.

Amazing cafe and service

S. N.

Excellent place to experience the geothermal landscape. Lots of colour & action. Good walk through the park.

K.

Fantastic place to spend some time in nature, it was part cloudy, part sunny when I was there so I could see it on various conditions. Peacefull and quiet, it's less crowded then Wai-O-Tapu. I would highly recommend visiting Orakei Korako.

j.

Great place to visit. Has it all regarding thermal activity. Staff very friendly and helpful. All topped off with coffee and cake in the cafe at the end of our walk. Toilets are immaculate ..Just be aware , most of the walk is steps thereof rather difficult if one has one problems.

P. C.

Great customer service. The park was visually stunning. Arguabley the best of it's kind in the region. We were given the royal treatment from several of the geysers that erupted multiple times during our hike. The boat ride adds a unique aspect to the experience.

P. W.

Awesome place to visit. Went in the school holidays and it wasn't too busy. Could stroll at your own pace and not run into anyone. Miss 8 loved it, and learned a lot 😁thanks for the experience

J. D.

Really incredible place to visit. Was not disappointed. Only a 30min drive from Taupo. Well run and looked after trails.

D.

Interesting geothermal features and information about it. Quite expensive though, for a mostly self guided tour.

J. Z.

Words cannot describe the beauty and fascination that this place holds. Stunning raw beauty, nature at it's best.

D. L.

Excellent track around the park. Native Bush. Quiet location. Fascinating geothermal features.

W. N.

Amazing colorful place to visit. Enjoyed walking around. "MUST SEE" list...

a. f.

Surprising gem in central north island. Incredible colours and a nice walk. Needs some fitness for the stairs.

S. H.

Slightly off the beaten track, but well worth the extra travel. A nice board walk takes you through the park and the are some good geothermal features. A major plus is that the main site hasn't been overly developed and commercialised

O. H.

A great place to visit, good staff and the route was well designed, can’t believe so many stunning things exist at the same place.

A. C.

Its tranquility is amazing. Compared to the nearby popular thermal village Whai-O-Tapu, it is separated from a lake and surrounded by woods, which make this place less crowded. As a result, you can spare more time at each sites that you want to itch into your memory.

m. k.

Highly recommend doing this walk. Well worth it.

L. C.

Brilliant spot! Mostly boarded paths with stairs and well signposted. Breathtaking scenery, fast boat ride over and friendly staff. Rather peaceful and not too crowded (we went in early November for reference). Gets a bit hot by the steamy pools so bring hat/sunscreen/water. Would recommend to anyone!

C. R.

A favorite for us. In my view much better value than other similar parks. Set in natural bush and surroundings. Being out of town means that it is quieter and less crowded.

V.

A very nice place. Lots to see. The whole loop will take you approx. 90mins. Hard to say if it's get crowded but when we were there, there were only a few people. However, not sure if worht the money. The entry is $36 for an adult. You'll get a 10% discount if you book it online.

D.

Stunning. The walk is a bit up and down with stairs so you need to be physically able to climb steps.

S.

Fantastic place awesome views,staff were awesome as well glad a made the trip,special memories 😀

K.

Great morning out. Take water. Wear sunscreen. It's really hot over there!!

H.

I've visited most of the major geothermal parks (Waiotapu, Te puia) and they were beautiful but very full of tourists. This one is just as, arguably more, beautiful with its amazing paint palette formations and colours, but far less people. If you only do one and don't like the crowds, make it this one.

T.

Calm beautiful lake makes incredibly picturesque combination with the geothermally active hill. Pleasant staff and small nice boat trip. A must go in New Zealand

D. G.

They have easy foot path. Beautiful scenery. If you don't have high tolerance of sulphur smell..don't visit this place

Y. J.

wonderful experience! Short 1-2 hour trip. Access through boat.

R. H.

Better value for money than Wai O Tapu in my opinion. More quiet also. Nice drive up there.

J. G.

Worth every cent. Can freedom park for one night if doing tour. Owners are lovely.

B. P.

A great alternative to the well-known places around Rotorua. Less touristy, but really amazing colours and formations! Volcanic geology at its purest! 😊

S. F.

Great place to visit..lovely cafe and staff were very friendly..the walk was well maintained and very pleasant

H. M.

Nice experience! However, they donor give you maps to follow the trip

C.

Another world! By far the best geothermal park we have visited. Incredible sights and a really well maintained park. Not crowded with tourists and you can go at your own pace. We had our 8 year old and 4 year old with us, so the boat ride across was an added bonus to the whole experience, and the boat driver is a cool dude that took a family photo for us. Will be recommending this place to family and friends.

J.

Awesome place, a friendly group of staff help you across the river in a small boat and off load you at the base of the park. Takes around an hour to walk the complete track which is mostly laid down with wooden decking, plenty of steps and well maintained. Take time to sit and take in the view and experience. Take plenty of water as the area is a few degrees hotter due to the geysers.

T.

Absolutely stunning. Very well laid out, on the shores of a gorgeous lake; this might be Taupo's best kept secret. If you want to see some amazing geothermal activity but keep away from the crowds, this is it.

M.

Really lovely experience friendly helpful owner operator. Children enjoyed the boat, walk and geothermal sites as did we all.

M. D.

Very very recommended. Very different with other locations with it being located in a small island.loved it. Be warned: lots of steps.

S. d. R.

Amazing park with many geothermal features. You take a little ferry across the river and hike along boardwalks to all of the interesting pools and geysers.

P. K.

Lovely Park, with nice walkways. Peaceful and stunning scenery

V.

It's little pricey ($38) but I think it's worth it as I've been twice already. I've never needed to book ahead. A boat takes you across the river in less than I minute. There your loop walk starts. It will take you around this very active area - you will see nothing twice as you don't need to retrace your steps but you might see some things from different angles. It's an easy wooden path with occasional steps. We were told to expect that area to be about 3 degrees warmer than it is at the cafe and it checks out.

B.

Beautiful peaceful valley. Friendly relaxed staff. Natural beauty to absorb. Variety of thermal activity. Self contained campers can stay overnight if you purchase a ticket. Less commercial than others and scenic countryside to get there.

M.

Well worth a visit and you can take your dogs. Thanks for a lovely morning.

R.

The hidden valley, have always wanted to stop in for a look was well worth it wish I had done it earlier.

T. H.

Beautiful place with natural thermal springs and walkways. Dogs allowed on leash.

T.

Little hidden gem! Such a nice geothermal Park and amazing location

S.

Amazing walk and setting. Start to finish this was a fascinating experience.

J. C.

This is a very special thermal park with so many colours, textures, smells and sounds to appreciate; pink & orange & green rocks, colourful pools, the scent of native plants & trees through the bush, green slime, black and white mud pools bubbling, geysers fizzing, an elephant rock, a large deep cave also. The kids loved the little ferry ride across the river to the park. It’s about an hours walk but easy for kids as it is mostly boarded, although close supervision is definitely required as most the boardwalks over the thermal land is not fenced. Definitely recommend this park.

D.

Amazing place, raw geothermal activity without being over commercialised

A.

Beautiful. You get a lot closer than other places.

D. W.

A must visit place in North Island. This is a very good example of geothermal surface manifestation in low relief terrain

D.

Lovely walk. Take water as it get pretty warm.

J. L.

A nice hidden place with few tourists. Very nice to see vulcanic activity at its best. A litle pricy though. 38$ per person.

D. P.

The setting and staff was incredible. Easy parking. Easy to find your way around. The jetty over to the track was awesome. The track itself was easy to follow and magnificent for any keen eye or photographer. Plenty of information of the plants and features. Very well put together and maintained. Would highly recommend

E.

Thrilled this was a dog friendly activity! My husband convinced me to go and I wasn’t looking forward to it on a rainy gray day tbh but I was very impressed!! A beautiful easy walk with a big range of geothermal activity. Highly recommended! You can even park your SCC in the carpark overnight when you buy a ticket.

J.

Loved the place. And yes it's way hotter walking around than it is at the reception. Take your time and enjoy nature. Lots of steps and they are ALL higher than the normal steps

M.

An amazing place with fantastic mud pools, the colors are beautiful. Great walkways and viewing platforms. Highly recommend

A. L.

Loved our visit here! We did it with our 2.5 year old, and he was able to walk most of the way (got tired towards the end). I felt the price was reasonable, considering the amount of work that has gone into making the park so accessible. Free, easy parking and lovely cafe on the wharf. The boat leaves on demand, and takes less than 5 minutes to go across. The walkways were great, and I felt the park had so much to see and experience up close! It wasn’t crowded, and an easy drive from Rotorua. Highly recommended!

K.

Beautiful spot, great boardwalk easy enough for toddler to walk!

j.

If you are in the Taupo area for your little weekend holiday and If you are a nature lover , you should visit this place. Its one of its kind. Its about an hour and a half walk to experience stunning geothermal activities , its a wonderful experience. The Cafe does not have much to choose from if you are really hungry after the walk.

D. R.

Amazing and peaceful. Friendly service, just nice to chill out and relax.

T.

Worth the extra mile for this stunning location. Lovely people, beautiful park. Found it hard to leave. I love surprises so if you’re the same, I won’t post photos, but spoiler alert... people below have! 😉

T.

Very nice park. Easy walk beautiful geothermal formations.

K. S.

Great place to visit with or without kids. Nice easy length walk and a fun short boat ride. Kids loved it!

I. W.

We visited today, I hadn't been here for 30 yrs ,we both thought it was bloody marvelous and we had a great time ,the weather was beautiful the terraces had incredible colour and the mud pools looked great , would highly recommend

P.

Magnificent place for geothermal surface manifestation. Your're gonna be amazed by colorfull bubble mat and aprone on the surface.

L.

We really enjoyed it. A little boat brought us to the other side of the river to start the 2.5 km boardwalk. We took our time, there's lots to see. Many steps, to be mentioned. It's a loop tracks with heaps of lookouts. The whole area was beautiful and definitely worth visiting. You can't compare it to free geothermal park. The entry fee was quite high, but I guess that's what you have to expect if you want to see a touristic attraction.

G. J.

What a hidden Gem. If your in a camper van you decend from a hill to this fantastic lake then to a huge car park. It's right up there in the fantastic wow section. Then the boat ride to the volcanic wonders. Lovely lime deposits harping back to what the pink and white terraces were like. Plenty of exersize so really good if your a cyclists but you will have tired calves if your not so fit. The dark cave is different. Cafe is good in the weekend but touch n go midweek. We loved it.

K.

Absolutely amazing I would highly recommend it.

K.

A must do! This place is just so incredibly beautiful. The colours of this natural wonderland are stunning. Definitely worth the trip to get there.

E.

Excellent, interesting and beautiful. Can take dogs.

A.

A stunning and well maintained Geothermal Park, definitely the most interesting one in the regions, the owners are absolutely lovely, great facilities and highly recommended. My little one loved the free little boat ride across from the Cafe to this magical place.

G.

Very peaceful. Certainly worth a visit !

A. W.

Quick boat trip over to area. Paths well kept. Free tea on return from walk nice.self contained Mhomes can stay overnight if paid to go in. A peaceful site,toilets only until 530pm. Friendly staff.

C.

Great views and well maintained walkways.

G.

Friendly staff. Clean facilities. Well sign posted well maintained track around the geothermal area. Has signs explaining the different pools etc. Beautiful scenery. Not over crowded with tourists. Would love to see again in bright sunlight. The colours of the pools were beautiful but imagine may have been even better with sunlight.

Y.

Well worth the visit including the walk to the top & down to the cave. The style of the stairs made it easier to walk. Lived it😃👍

U.

Simply the best Geothermal attraction in the Taupo volcanic zone. Stunning silca terraces, lots of geysers and mud pools all set in beautiful scenery. Exceptional value for money and still owned by the local iwi. Ignore any naysayers they are biased no nothings, this is worth the visit.

M.

Wow what a super interesting place! Ive never been to anything like it and found it really intriguing. Arriving at the park we were treated with stunning views of the mountains and lake with the steam rising from the ground. You then take a little boat to cross the lake over to where all the action happens. The walk around the park is magical. Watching all the bubbling water, steam rising from the ground, bubbly mud pools and water spurts. The whole walk takes around 1 hour or so and is a fairly easy walk. There are a lot of steps though so you will need to be able to handle that. It’s a great walk and well worth it.

P.

Recommend ! Lower visitor numbers than the others makes for a more magical experience and worth the slightly longer drive out of Rotorua / Taupo. Self contained vehicles can stay for free with entry which means getting into the park before other visitors which is a really great deal !

G.

Great sights and photos. Friendly staff

T. B.

The price is unreasonably high for what can be seen in the park. I was more excited about the free thermal pools in Rotorua than this one. In addition, I had to wait about a quarter of an hour for the boat to take me back, even though I rang the bell several times. Fortunately, it's not such a busy place.

O.

A perfect adventure to do in Taupo. Best of all it is dog friendly! Great scenary and environmentally friendly

B.

Didnt go for the boat ride. Was hanging around the cafe instead. Would recommend the owners to built a wading hot pool.

B.

Great little excursion to see some of our geothermal wonders. Very well maintained routes, paths etc. Virtually no wait for the boat to whip across in either direction, when we went at least.

C.

This should be one of the most interesting place to visit in New Zealand.

M.

The wonderland is definitely well worth a visit. Also loved how the family price allowed for more than 2 children. However, don't expect anything near even semi-decent food from the cafe. We arrived at midday and the only thing available were a 2 pies, 5 sausage rolls and half a dozen packets of chips. And the sausage rolls tasted like they had been in the pie warmer since before lockdown and then they wanted $5 for them. The cafe is a total embarassment.

S.

We loved going to this vibrantly coloured, fascinating thermal region once again. The layout was excellent, safe and still showcased the natural beauty of the area. Great service and coffee too!

A. “. C.

Such an amazing experience to see our planet active and alive. Highly recommend visting.

T.

A nice half day trip, very interesting landscape. The kids enjoyed being so close to the geothermal activity & the boat ride across the lake to the island was nice. Take lots of water in summer as it's very hot due to the volcanic activity.

M.

We really enjoyed the natural feel of Orakei Korako and felt like explorers following the board walkways.

A. M.

We went to three thermal parks in 3 days and this was our favorite. the walkways are beautifully done and it has a truly peaceful, quiet, authentic feel. It is a privately owned park and you can truly see the effort, love, and respect they have for this island. Great value for money. Went early on a weekday so we were the only people there and got to see two of the larger geysers erupt.

R.

Top 5 spots for geothermal experience experience in NZ!

D.

First time I've seen this kind of Geothermal fields. Nice walk and interesting scenery.

P.

Absolutely spectacular! I've been living in NZ for 15 years and this was one of the best things I've ever done here. It was surreal, you're left alone to explore and there's so much to see. Other worldly! The kids from 3 to 12 years old loved it too and for anyone that says it's expensive, we went to Waitomo Caves last weekend and it was 3x the price! The place is in excellent condition, the kind of thing you don't mind spending money to look at because you can see that it all goes back into the place! Can't wait to come back :)

S.

Beautiful place and well maintained. They offer a quick boat ride to the silica terrace, which is spectacular. However, there were a few mistakes in the information panels along the road. A bit too pricey perhaps.

Q.

Now, this place is like you are standing on the crater if a volcano. Steam here and there. Hot water spring everywhere, hot mud pools. Exciting from the your first step on the boat till you get back. And the boat guy, awesome person!!! We give him a four thumbs up 👍👍👍👍

J.

Very nice place to visit. Excellent route for walking. Boat trip to enter the park is necessary but enjoyable. Not crowded at all and staff in small restaurant at visitors office are great. Thermal scenery is beautiful. Highly recommend to visit this place above others in the region.

S.

Stunning location, very accommodating staff and a great walk across a beautiful and well looked after board walk! Free parking available (even overnight for self contained campers). Cafe is very reasonably priced with a small selection of warm and cold foods. Walk takes you past bubbling mud pools, lots of steam, gorgeous silica terraces. Lots of steps along the way, so bring a carrier if you have young kids (carrier backpacks are available for hire as well, not sure if there is a charge for them). It took us just over an hour with our two kids (4 and 1). Great place to stop and stretch your legs when heading up to Auckland or Hamilton! Only about 10mins off the main highway.

F.

Amazing place. A must-see in New Zealand.

g.

Lovely, take it slow, nice rainforest and interesting silica falls and small geysers, nice countryside, well maintained tracks, self guided

G.

You get taken across the water in a boat to wander through some amazing geothermal scenery. I love the fact of being left alone, wandering at your own pace and with only a few other visitors it was tranquil. To linger with only the sound from the geothermal activity was quite magical. I thought the $39 cost was high to start with but in the end it was well worth it.

I.

Amazing place. We arrive early in the morning and we could enjoy the park alone. The park has amazing views, is really well maintained and I would strongly suggest spending a great time there. The staff is friendly, the food and coffee were great.

J.

Great walk with a very quick ferry either side of the lake (Ferry driver has a call buzzer to come and collect you if currently on the other side of the lake, usually takes him about a minute to cross). Suggested walk time is an hour to an hour and a half, highly recommend taking water and redoing sunscreen before starting the walk! Has quite a few stairs but the terrain is more than walkable at a gentle pace for those worried about it

K.

I really liked this place because it wasn't overcrowded when we went at the end of November and getting a boat over to it made it feel like a special and isolated location. We walked around freely and found it quite spectacular with easy walkways and plenty to look at.

J.

Went there 26 years ago. Pretty stunning place. Lots of upgrades and new building facilities. Remote but still worth it

L.

Wonderful place to visit. Fascinating and well laid out

M.

It was fun, but not worth the money in our opinion. No active geysers at all. No information at all. There was a sign that said a geysers went off every 2 hours or so, so we waited for like 30 mins and then gave up. Afterwards we heard it hasn't been going off for 4 years or so. We were a little disappointed...

M.

Takes less than 2 hours to walk around, can be a bit of a challenge if you're not fit in places but the scenery if you are into geothermal rock pools and the likes, is quite stunning. There are geysers but these are not predicatable. It is a hot place though, literally.

A. T.

This is an impressive place of natural wonder: Three to four levels of cascading terraces, with the associated steam, hot pools, geysers, and many other volcanic features. We take a boat, across the lake, to the base of these massive terraces and actually walk on them! The walkway takes us along every level, up to the top to see a cave and some bubbling mud pools.

G.

Awesome. Gr8 fun for the kids. Loved it.

G.

A real gem. Bit out of the way but well worth the effort. Only accessible by boat across the river- included in the admission price. Wonderful colours and nice Bush walks. Be warned there are a few steps. But very well maintained paths.

A.

We really enjoyed our visit - it is fascinating to see all this geothermal activity in an uncrowded place. A request to management - PLEASE have signs with better explanations and descriptions. We just learnt today - after looking at our guide book, after our visit - that the name Orakei Korako means “a place of adorning”. This name resulted from Maori women supposedly using the jade green pool at the bottom of the big cave as a beauty parlor. Would have been nice to get this info while exploring the site. We just visited “craters of the moon” today which is not worth a visit at all from a gorgeousness perspective - but their signs are incredible and so informative!

A.

Excellent... Very atmospheric

R.

This is a superb place, with excellent access to the fascinating geology and botany. The ferry service was prompt and efficient and the cafe area included much of interest, historic and otherwise. We thought the cost was reasonable. Minor attention to the plant labelling is needed.

T.

Awesome , easy walk. Beautiful geothermal gem! Staff at the Cafe were fabulous and they even had sunblock for customers... great for us as it was an improntu trip and we didn't plan in going there so we weren't prepared with sunblock!

H. B.

I would assume not many tour groups get taken here as it is a bit out of the way -- about half way between Taupo and Rotorua. So most of the visitors probably have their own transport which results in a lot less people on site. At least, that was the case when we were there mid-afternoon on a glorious hot day in early March when there were probably no more than 15 other people visiting. It's easy enough to find with GPS or Google Maps, and there is plenty of parking by the Waikato River. The reception/shop/ticket office is tastefully done, and from here you jump on a small shuttle ferry across the river to where you walk around the geothermal site. It all feels very well managed and less touristy than many of the more visited sites in this region. The Orakei Korako walk itself is perfectly wonderful and you will see glorious silica terraces, hot pools, vibrant colours and active geysers, and there's a cave at the top of the hill worth going to. It is all well signed, and has a good pathway or boardwalk throughout. Allow a couple of hours at least to fully enjoy the area. I don't think you will regret making the journey to get there. We loved it, and recommend it highly.

K. M.

This place is truly amazing! It is by far the best of the geothermal parks in NZ. It is a walk through nature's spectacular display with a variety of formations. The staff are friendly and the cafe has tasty cakes. This is an excellent day out. An absolute 'must visit'.

J.

This place is a beautiful hidden gem. It has all the thermal activity you get elsewhere plus a boat ride across a lake and beautiful scenery to boot. Take bottled water with you. Suitable for all fitness levels but not accessible for prams or wheelchairs.

P.

We really enjoyed this outing. Well organised and maintained. An amazing natural attraction that I appreciated the opportunity to experience. Highly recommend.

W.

Hot and smelly but a good walk and typical cost

D.

Lovely outing with family lots to see

M.

Easy parking. A unique site to visit. Unspoilt.

R.

We came here via the Riverjet Thermal Safari and it was a great experience. It takes roughly about an hour to see the entire park on your own and the geysers from up close, which was an exciting activity. We were expecting it to be a guided tour so as to know more about this wonderful natural phenomena, but a self guided tour isn't so bad either. There are plenty of good hot spots to see and even a cave. Lots of colored geography as well. This surely one of the better geothermal areas in the region. I'd advise it to everyone to visit it over the several other more commercially popular ones.

Q.

Easy access venue and nice to see.

V.

Glorious time had here. Beautiful scenery and exciting bubbling springs, mud etc. Walking was ok for me even with knee replacement and walking stick. Highly recommend this.

d.

Good walk

T.

Sunday afternoon drive lead us here...must come back to explore soon

C.

Amazing and rural. No sound of civilization.

M.

What a lovely way to spend the afternoon. A nice leisurely walk around mud pools and steaming holes. An untouched picture. Was a little disappointed at the level of water in Aladdins cave and that you can't get down to it anymore. You could wash your jewellery in it and it would come out sparkling. Course that was 35 years ago, but the place is still going strong. Went as a kid and now have taken mine.

A.

Great tourist attraction to visit. Thoroughly enjoyed and staff helpful and friendly. Bit of walking involved so not suitable for prams or other wheeled vehicles

D.

Fabulous place. Great stuff to see and listen to. Great staff. Walkways, layout and ferry all help make this place special. Highly recommended. We arrived before lunch and had the place to ourselves almost.

T.

A small but beautyful geothermal park. To get there you have to cross the river with a boat. This is included in the entry price. The short walks are realy nice. And you can see a wonderful colered world.

C. N.

Excellent example of a well kept visit site. Kaitiaki and a welcoming staff too. 600 steps in a figure 8 walkway that gives you everything from boiling mud, to small geysers, and a thermal cave example. Highly recommended.

C.

This was one of the unexpected highlights of a trip to the Taupo region. It's a must for anyone who loves nature, or surreal abstract art or geology or volcanic areas (or all of the above). This has incredible geothermal formations and extraordinary colours that you can't normally find in nature like bright yellows, bright fluorescent greens and blues. Has an almost enchanted and magical quality to it. Compared to some of the other geothermal walks this one is the best. Highly recommended

M. T.

Well maintained newish facilities. Boat ride included which added something. It's basically a bush walk through a thermal area. Good variety of thermal stuff like mud pools. Loads of boardwalks but $36pp seemed high and really only justified by having a ferry included.

T.

Breathtaking! A Must do! Don’t be fooled by the craters of the moon which was rather disappointing from a geothermal experience, this is the real deal.

I.

Pricy but worth it. We had an awesome time, they take you from the reception over to the other side of the lake via boat where you can enjoy the geothermal wonders like geysers, mudpools, springs and silica terraces, all via very well made and maintained walkways. Some great scenery, really worth with any age of kids. Good for the elderly too as long as you can walk many steps.

P.

Very interesting park and much quieter than the other parks near Rotorua and on the main roads. A short boat ride and then a nice walk for around 1.5hours up stairs and on boardwalks. Very interesting geothermal activity. The cave, in my opinion, wasn't very interesting, however it is just a tiny part of the park.

W.

As a geographic phenomenon this site is a 10/10. The silica terraces are some of the largest in the world and the conditions required to create there incredible look is fascinating. For the price of the site, I left feeling like there could have been more interactivity though. You're not allowed to touch the water, which is understandable, but maybe some hot baths or something you can do rather than walk would be better. The site isn't disabled access either and I believe that it could be.

G.

Magic place to explore, good track and super friendly staff. Freedom camping available if you pay for the geothermal park. Well worth a visit

E.

Very good thermal experience. I touched the water and saw boiling mud.

N.

You can easily spend a couple of hours wondering around here. Even though it was quite a rainy day we managed to enjoy the walk. The boat ride over is a little bit of extra fun. They are currently haooy for you to free camp if you've purchased entry.

C.

Excellent boardwalked loop around hydrothermal silica terraces. Lots of geysers, bubbling mud and water pools. Child carriers for toddlers available at location. Recommended as that are quite a few steps. Staff really friendly and helpful. Good cafe and toilet facilities.

G.

We were greeted by the most wonderful, friendly young man who was able to help with all of our queries etc. Great staff. A magical and peaceful slice of paradise. (Great coffee too - thanks)

H.

Really nice place. The walk around was very interesting and relaxing too. The only thing that disturbs was unkind staff Maggie. Maybe she had a bad day. That attracted attention because most kiwis I met were very nice and polite? Hmm, for us no place to order a drink. 🤷‍♂️

S.

Amazing place So well maintained Well worth the spend and time Nature at it's best! Be aware that there are alot of steps

N.

Great way to experience the geothermal spaces in NZ. A little off the main track but better for it. You can take your time and just take in all the different spaces. Nice cafe and welcoming people.

J.

What a fabulous place. Gorgeous easy walk with our four year old. Mud pools, geysers and a cave. Thank you for sharing this natural wonder!

V.

What a hidden gem! Great Geothermal field walk for about one hour with lots of ups and downs. plus you also have a free boat ride to the site.

S.

Unique experience. Lovely colours and extremely well maintained

A.

It's not a very "large"attraction, but is a most picturesque place for a stroll. All the tracks are really well formed with lots of boardwalks. You can see it all in an hour, but 1.5 hours would be much more leisurely.

M.

Loved this park. Very few visitors - it's a true hidden gem. Much better than wai-o-tapu which was super busy. I loved the little walk and all the different areas of the park. Also includes a little boat ride to and from the park. It'll be warmer in the park than the surroundings so you probably won't need a coat.

S.

Beautiful and fascinating. Nice little ferry ride over the lake, and a great up-close view of the geo-thermal activity. Not too busy when we went at about 9.30am.

L.

Nice and interesting place. It's always good to remember how special earth is and at this very spot you'll see all it's smelly colours and states. It's pretty hard to get an exact expression on a photograph since there's so much going on like little bubbling mud holes right next to the path.

N.

. 25/04/2015 An amazing place. Probably the best geothermal park I have ever visited. The well-maintained & guided walk around Geysers, Ruatapu Cave, Spa, Boiling Mud Pools, Terraces, beautiful natural formations, lovely lookouts, peaceful atmosphere, sulphur smokes make you feel like you are walking among clouds. It was surprisingly awesome experience on our way to Taupo. Totally enjoyed! A must visit in case you are driving around Taupo.

S.

This is a great geothermal area.You leave the ticket booth by boat.Its a short trip across the lake to the geothermal area. You walk on a boardwalk almost the whole way.along the way you will see boiling pots, popping mud holes, multicolored algae, small boiling ponds, boiling waterfalls and, of course, geysers.there it's also a cave with a pond inside it.You don't go into the cave, but view it from above and outside it. Steam vents are all over. There are quite a few steps and the walk is uphill at the start. The only negative: the hotel gave us a brochure to this place and another and told us to go to the other geothermal wonderland.the brochure to the other place, which has a fake geyser was way better. Luckily,a local told us to check out this one. GREAT PLACE, lots of color, but a weak brochure. Another benefit, this place is 20 minutes further from Rotorua and is not full of tourist buses.it's not crowded at all.We were there on a Saturday. This is a real find!

K.

A jewel of a setting and the dog was welcome so the whole family could adventure together. It's very humid however in the summer so water is a must and it was a bit hot for the dog. We'll return again at a cooler time of year. Dog enjoyed his first ride on a boat.

B.

An amazing place to wander round at your own leisure incredible sight to see. The boat ride across the river was nice and the facilities were top notch very nice cakes well done

M.

Been a couple of times now. Recommend. Nice spot. Interesting scenery. Lots of steps but easy to get around.

F. M.

If you only visit one place in Taupo then make it this. A short boat trip takes you across to a geothermal wonderland where you will see mud pools, steam vents, geothermal caves, terraces, scalding rivulets and a palette of colours unlike anything else.... Raised walkways make it easy to get around. Definite highlight.

A.

Best thermal area...colours are amazing

D.

Would have to be one of the better thermal valleys to go to in NZ, all naturally formed (some others are not). Reasonable walking distance + well formed/ signed. Lots of different things to see on the one walk. Was an impromptu stop on our holiday that ended up being a fav!

B.

Had a terrific morning exploring this fascinating geothermal landscape. Early weekday with only a handful of other visitors was ideal. Friendly staff and a low key, well-maintained setting. Worth the longer drive from Rotorua

j.

Great to see the place again after 20yrs. Much has been done to update and renew buildings. Wonderful geothermal area across the river. Nice restaurant. Good facilities all up

S.

Very reasonably priced @ $39 for an adult, friendly staff & enjoyable place to wander around for an hour or two, mud pools were mesmerizing, worth a visit

L.

This park was one of my favorites on my trip. The people there were really friendly and definitely added to the joy of seeing sites. I would recommend this to any one and was well worth the drive. Allot less tourists which added to the experience.

S.

A must see attraction! Such a gorgeous park and amazing and friendly staff!

D.

Loved our visit here, about 1.5 hour walk around a decent track. Geyser didn't fire while we were there, but the hot springs/mud pools/cave we're all pretty amazing.

D.

A wander through a strange and wonderful landscape, along well maintained walkways.

L.

Beautiful place. Nice toilets and shop. Boat trip pleasant. The girl who drove us was really friendly. Amazing colours. Smells. Really hot when we went take water

M.

One of the many geothermal parks to visit, this one is about an hour away from Rotorua and worth a visit. Nice visitor centre with cafe, car park, toilets etc, after paying the entrance fee a small ferry boat takes you across the river to the geothermal park. Wooden walkways in a loop system take you through the park in a well organised manner. It takes 60 to 90 mins to complete.

L.

Our experience of Orakei Korako today was exceptional. Thank you so much. We thoroughly enjoyed our walk - the views and colours are amazing.

G.

Loved this walking & the whole location itself. Must visit.

D.

It's a bit over priced but it is a really nice park with lots to see.

S.

A fantastic combination of geothermal wonders and rainforest, following the shirt boat trip across the lake, made this an extra special visit in the Rotarua area. We loved it!

N.

If you book online you get 10% discount . It's a 3min boat rode across the river to the thermal park. A quick easy walk . You get to see one of the only two geothermal caves in the world.

B.

Perfect spot to take visitors from abroad to experience thermal activity alongside a gentle stroll through native Bush with the boat ride across the Waikato River. Magical.

S.

Great Place to visit. Catch the boat across the NZ biggest river and Take a self guided tour of the Hidden Geo thermal area lots of parking for Camper vans. Cafe and office open 8am to 4-4.30

P.

Quite a cool place. Went to all thermals in the area and this one was great, memorable.

B.

One of the most amazing places in NZ in my humble opinion. Ferry captain was a cool guy as well.Hope you get some salt water kai soon mate.

C.

Great place to take the kids, something to see around every corner.

S.

Spent few hours walking round. Excellent attractions. Not over commercialised which makes it more attractive to visit. Staff really friendly and helpful. Would highly recommend

F.

The geothermal park is very nice and safe to visit as long as you stay on the walkways. Parent with young children need to be vigilant! There are a number of ponds with boiling water and mud. Visiting the park is almost like walking on another planet.

J.

Amazing walk with beautiful views. Host was very informative and friendly. Will definitely be back.

R.

Love this part of the river in and off the water,there's a cafe on the river opposite the geothermal site and just down the river explore multiple hot springs and a caverned hot waterfall

이.

Very good place to visit. Better than Waimangu at Rotorua. Cosy but systemic and beautiful volcanic thermal scenery. Captain at the boat was friendly. Worth to drive a long way. For our family, the best place in north NZ. 👍

S.

Incredible park where you are right in a seemingly ancient environment. Easy to walk around the paths. Good, friendly staff.

R.

Great experience, wonderful host,. Extremely well maintained and presented attraction. Well worth the visit

I.

Awesome fun for the family who likes a bit of culture and adventure. A small boat ride takes you to the geysers and cave which are quite spectacular. Highly recommended.

A.

This place is amazing. I felt like I was transported into another world! Short walk, breathtaking views, marvel at the geysers. No toilet in the island.

M.

It may be out of the way, no big geyser or big open steam holes but it's a world of its own. Self-paced tour, about 1.5 hrs, took our time to admire the different naturally formed terraces which were amazing.

T.

Well worth the entry fee, starting with the boat ride over to the park entrance and the unique landscapes and hot geysers (though non of them errupted when we were there) this park offers a great geo thermal experience and should not be missed.

J.

Amazing place, one of the best in NZ. Great customer service

N.

Lovely geothermal colours. Boat river crossing on demand, not dependent on numbers. Currently 20% discount due to Covid. Friendly operator.

T.

Very interesting place, unusual to look around. I would have liked a little more information about the origins and geology of the place but otherwise really enjoyed it. Lots of variety.

E.

Beautiful colors and very suggestive view

R.

Wonderful

M.

This was 1 of the 3 big thermal sites we visited around Rotorua. As this was the last, I wondered if we'd seen it all before, but that wasn't the case. All the sites vary considerably in their situation, colours and sights. This was the least busy, which added to its charm.

m.

Beautiful, well marked, unspoiled thermal park. One of our trip highlights so far. Easy walk with nice boat ride across the lake.

A.

Visitors to Taupo, please go and visit this Park. Located in the countryside a bit, but worth the effort. Forget the crowds of Rotorua, this park gives you the feeling of just you and it. The short ferry ride across the lake, c.1min, takes you to this great Geothermal wonderland. Geyser, boiling mud pools, smell of sulphur and the most beautiful cave which demands your reverence. Very sacred indeed. Just go.

A.

A wonderful example of the area's geothermal activity, from bubbling mud to erupting geysers. Helpful, friendly staff and entirely run by local Maori. A little pricy and out of the way, but well worth a visit.

C.

Went to 3 thermal reserves whilst in the area and this my favorite. (Te Puia close 2nd). Nice walk with beautiful terraces.

J.

Just that little bit remote and off the beaten track, this geothermal area is beautiful. Well worth the short boat ride and an hour's gentle walk around the paths.

S.

WOW what a great place to visit. Such a special and magical spot to explore. Friendly crew and a place I would highly recommend to visit 😊.

A.

If you love geography or geology and just want to enjoy the work of hot springs. This is a place for you. Children will love it. Adults will enjoy it. Also have cafe for you to relax and chill after a long walk

P.

Beautiful place offering a great vision of geothermal activity in the region. It’s different from Wai-O-Tapu but if you have a limited budget it is not necessary to visit both of them. The big difference : at Orakei Korako there are less people so it’s more pleasant. We visited the place during 2h and took beautiful photos. We liked this geothermal park but it’s overpriced.

J.

Outstanding, really beautiful features and it’s all natural. It’s off the beaten track which helps keeps away bus loads of tourists, so you can have a nice experience

M.

Well worth the visit, great walk around various sites, if your very patientand lucky you see a large geyser erupt, great colours.

D.

Can't believe it's taken me so long to visit this natural attraction. Absolutely highly recommend

S.

Amazing geothermal area; best I've been to. A lot of steps, but easy for even young children to get around. Well worth visiting.

S.

Stunning😍❤

s.

Well worth the price and the trip to get out there. Feels like a step back in time to what the rest of the Taupo region could of been before the eruption. This location is about as Kiwi as it gets.

R.

Fantastic. Walk the trail at your own pace. Wasn't too crowded. Highly recommend visiting this place.

M.

Excellent! A visit a must! A colorful and fantastic spot! - I'd love to come and visit again. - Surely one of our highlights during our 6-week trip.

R.

Cool with no tourists

S.

Awesome natural features and super friendly staff! If you are in the area absolutely take the time to explore this spot!

A.

Not crowded. You explore at your own pace.

R.

Staff superb understanding of an older slower lady

N.

Worth the visit... Wonderful colours... With cafe open world get 5. Stars..

T.

Interesting walk with a number of different geothermal activities to look at.

S.

What an awesome and amazing place. Well setup for everyone to get across the mighty river to have a wander in the geothermal fields. Great experience

C.

Loved this place it took a good hour to walk the track the children were able to walk around and before we started we had a lovely outdoor picnic on the grounds there is a cafe too

B.

Fantastic walking around the tracks! The walking tracks is very safe to everyone and not to steep or anything!

J.

Just the most beautiful place

G.

Could be a great visit, but be prepared to pay. We were not, so didnt do the walk. Views are spectacular.

G.

Easily the best all round thermal place to visit, in the Rotorua/ Taupo area... if you're able footed. Good walkway tho no easy inambulant viewing

c.

A truly magnificent experience. We are humbled by the natural beauty and the way the development of the site has not detracted from the awe but rather enhanced the experience for the tourist. We applaud the guardians of this site. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

G.

Beautiful location and great place to go for a hike. Its so peaceful and relaxing. The scenery is amazing and unique.

T.

Quite a nice park, not as nice as some the more popular ones though

C.

Beautiful place to see the geothermal activity near Rotorua. The walk was well maintained and pleasant. Friendly service and beautiful photo opportunities.

S.

Hidden gem in my opinion :) Wont take long to exore but it's absolutely worth it.

D.

A very interesting place to visit . Fabulous photo opportunities. Good walk and cafe when you return. Staff friendly and helpful.

c.

Great place to go with some lovely views can get pretty hot though

M.

Well worth the trip (and really nice drive out) - huge geothermal area that runs down into the lake - mud pools & geysirs, nice cafe for lunch over the water

S.

Beautiful geothermal park, little bit out of the way to get too however is well sign posted. Shorter then other geothermal parks but also quiter.

A.

Quite pricey considering the size of the park you're allowed to enter, but a very unique and entirely stunning experience.

H.

The best geothermal attraction in the Rotorua and Taupo area! There's lots to see and a good 60 to 90 minute walk around.

T.

An interesting visit you can do in under 1.5 hours. Great cafe at the start/end too.

N.

Awesome place, well worth a visit. Well maintained walkways around the park, and plenty of info panels. 👍

C.

Awesome experience, well worth the visit:)

S.

Fantastic place and great facilities. Well off the beaten track so not busy. Will definitely go back in winter.

R.

This place is quite surreal we were there with misty rain but you probably see the beauty of the thermal mist and rain together brtter than on a fine day great trails

G.

All the thermal activity that I was hoping to see. Easy walking board tracks. And easy access by boat from the Visitor Centre.

R.

A stunning location with a fascinating trail to discover what feels like a lost world.

K.

A bit quiet but also a good chance for locals to pay this beautiful place a visit.

A.

Lovely walk amongst unique bush and geothermal landscape. A little expensive but enjoyable 1-2 hour excursion.

S.

So amazing to see the beautiful terraces and gushing gysers. I would love to return with my family in the near future. A must do to all traveling to Taupo. Five stars from me. Kia ora

C.

Absolutely stunning, super well run and worth the stop.

D.

Well off the beaten track, but welll worth the effort. Interesting, dramatic, well laid out walkways, friendly staff and a nice cafe!

M.

Really enjoyed it ..lovely little boat ride across the lake... completely new experience for us

E.

Great little walk. The entry fee is slightly expensive though, but worth it I guess as they maintain it quite well.

H.

What a hidden gem!! Don’t miss this.

P.

Great experience. A hidden gem in New Zealand. We have driven past this so many times and now regret this.

a.

Decent little stop off on a road trip, not a highlight but certainly not a lowlight. If you’re passing by then stop in but don’t go out of your way!

B.

Just Popped in for a coffee and pie while touring down the river. Cool looking place going to bring he family back on a cool day for a walk around the geothermal park

G.

see for yourself

J.

Wonderful hosts. Well worth a visit.

L.

Absolutely Brilliant and beautiful and a must see. But seeing a geyser is not guaranteed. May only show every few hours.

M.

Fantastic. We did both here and waio-taupo. This wins hands down. Go early in tge morning (it opens at 8 am) and you'll find you have the whole park to yourselves

J.

Very nice day with the fam. Never seen anything like it. Beautiful scenery also. Worth the trip out. Yummy sandwiches and beers also

F.

Really nice area! Price was 36 NZD per person and totally worth it. The area looks like from an other planet, simply gorgeous!

K.

Such an amazing place with super friendly staff, thanks team!

M.

Pretty cool to walk around, price is on the steep side I thought but still a cool activity while we were in Taupo from HB

R.

Great place to visit. The Geyser erupted while we were there. Fantastic watch.

L.

Great place to visit. Friendly staff, peaceful park with plenty of goe thermal stuff to see.

G.

2,5 km of well maintained boardwalk with amazing sights and quick ferry service. A must see!

J.

Great walk

a.

Great thermal park. I missed the geyser going off as that is every 2-3 hours apparently. But it is all very good.

A.

Unique place. Worth visiting.

C.

Great service! They even helped me fix my car because of the died battery. Highly recommend.

J.

Great place to spend two hours or so there! Easy walk and well placed lookout points along the way.

T.

Beautiful and isolated. Other worldly. The cafe could use an improvement, but too much cant be expected.

A.

An incredible volcanic landscape including hot geysers and colourful deposits. A must see attraction.

C.

Stunning location and not too touristy - you will love it if you like geothermal stuff

M.

Fantastic place.!! Love it

J.

Interesting and nice views. A bit expensive,but have you taken the car to get there you might as well pay up.

M.

Its so beautiful. I love this Place. The colours of the nature... Its only wow

j.

Easy access to the park with quality walking pathways. Excellent views well signposted

P.

Lovely and beautiful scenery, staff are really pleasant

P.

Excellent visit some amazing sights and great host.

A.

Great active geothermal park with lots of gushing geysers!

S.

If you want to see geothermal activity this is the place to go in New Zealand. Just the best.

A.

It was beautiful and met my expectations for a geothermal park. The entry price was very reasonable.

R.

Great colours and scenery.

R.

Must see place. Take your time and take in everything. Has spectacular wonders of nature.

B.

Great place, friendly staff. Such a beautiful hidden treasure.

m.

Great to be so close with nice views and enjoy the walk

C.

Great park, if you're lucky you will time your visit with a geyser eruption.

D.

Excellent experience delivered by great people and great sandwiches at the cafe.

S.

Stunning scenery, very helpful friendly staff, great lamingtons in the cafe 👍

C.

Stunning place to visit and great place to learn about New Zealand's history. Highly reccomend!

C.

Nice walk, not too hard, would recommend

F.

What a beautiful place!

K.

Very disappointed. Much prefer wai o tapu for value for money. Was also disappointed that you can no longer camp or cabin here

C.

Really interesting place! Nice pies! Highly recommend having a look

L.

Very impressive Park, you can spend between an hour or an hour and a half there.

h.

As the name says Wonderland...

D.

Not too touristy and a really good couple of hours spent seeing great thermals

A.

Amazing place. A must visit for any visitor to NZ.

C.

must see, it is a lot more beautiful then other thermal parks in North island of NZ

L.

Boat takes you across the lake where there is a board walk around the geothermal activity, boiling pools, steam and bubbling mud

a.

Awesome! Go there if you get a chance, it’s amazing! Super nice people there too!

H.

Incredible. Stunning and varied views. Great for a day out. Friendly staff too.

L.

Amazing geothermal activity.

H.

Awesome place and really great value for money. Well kept grounds.

I.

Pretty nice place, got beautiful photos from there

W.

Very hot for NZ but it's amazing the clarity of the water and the heat

S.

Liked the boat ride and the geothermal events the staff were very friendly and helpfull

P.

Just wow! This was one the highlights on our tour! It was simply amazing. A definite recommendation

V.

This place is a must see and is off the main tourist route. Fantastic.

J.

People are great and friendly. The walk and what you see are frankly just amazing.

T.

Wonderful. There seems to be more and more around every corner and up every step of the guided pathway.

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