Reviews of Otumuheke Stream (Spa Park Hot Pools). (Museum) in Taupo (Waikato).

Otumuheke Stream (Spa Park Hot Pools)

600 Reviews

87 Comments

Museum

Swimming pool

281 Spa Road, Tauhara, Taupō 3378, New Zealand

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Description

Information of Otumuheke Stream (Spa Park Hot Pools), Museum in Taupo (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%!

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Reviews of Otumuheke Stream (Spa Park Hot Pools)

J. F.

Great spot to go and refresh in the cold water of the Waikato river on a hot day and then jump into the (very) hot thermal waters! Its very relaxing! If the water is not your thing you can just have an ice cream from the in site cafe while watching the river floaters pass by...

S. V.

Beautiful place with hot water streams. Perfect spots to indulge with the family.

Beautiful spot. The water was luke warm, perfect for a little dip but certainly not what I was expecting.

J. T.

Lovely free natural hot pools. Can be a bit busy during the peak times. Can dip in the hot pools and shift over too the river for a refreshing dip. A nice toilet and changing room available but the coffee cart is only sometimes open.

R. P.

Didn't stay long, better for families with small children in the shallows or as an entry point to the river by kayak. Not so easy to get into the water for a swim/soak as there are lots of large slippery stones, only one warm area, and a strong current further into the river.

L. B.

Cute place, quite busy but lovely to cool off in the river

P. P.

Nice place, kids loved it. We stayed in there for 2 hours, i think it could get quite busy though but we came early and it was fine. Toilets at car park and by the spring. The closer you go to the Waikato river, the colder it gets. Great day out. Plenty of tourists popping their hands in the water and asking if it is warm.

Nice scenic spot. Warm thermal pools of different temperatures in a stream by the side of the Waikato River. Free of charge is a bonus. Bit stoney in and around the water so you might consider sandals or reef shoes. Few minutes walk down from the carpark, note quite a big hill to walk back up to the carpark. Changing rooms and toilets down near the water.

B. M.

The improvements made here is great vision by the local council. A place to come and reflect and it's free. A meeting place of different cultures from around the world enjoying our countries natural beauty

T. N. Z.

There is nothing more relaxing than stepping into natural rock hot pools, especially when it's free! Come soak in warm geothermal waters, fresh from the Otumuheke Stream, and enjoy the serenity of soaking in the large rock pools and listening to the warm thermal water cascade down from the waterfall. An experience not to be missed in Taupo!

S. T.

Great spot in Taupo, nice warm swimming holes. Worth having an explore with playground and walks close by. Gets super busy so get in early!

T. L.

Beautiful place when not in peak time. Water temperature goes from steaming to freezing depending where you stand. Just choose the temperature and relax. Completely free entry, change rooms and drinking water. Plenty of parking as well.

d. r.

Tide was out so wasn't much area to put your feet in due to it been busy. But lovely area

k. k.

This place is pretty awesome! Such a beautiful place. It's free and gets packed pretty quick. We got there about 45 minutes before the park closes and the pool was packed. We came back in the morning right when the park opened and we had it all to ourselves for about 15 minutes. It was nice. Everyone I met there is really nice. Very awesome place to take pictures and hang out. The park itself is really nice too. I would recommend to everyone to come and take a dip in the hot pool.

J. C.

Amazing free activity. Pools and falls of hot springs and the fast flowing cold river right next to it to cool off on a hot day. Can get very busy so best to do in the morning before the crowds get there. Car park opens at 7am.

P. L.

Get there early to avoid the crowds. 5 min walk in over gradual decline. Recently upgraded with change rooms and toilets. Good mobility is required to clamber over rocks into the pools.

Used to be my favourite place in Taupo - great scenery, hot water, and also free!! Unfortunately, a lot of the hot stream has be closed off in the past few years and the water hasn't been nearly as warm as it was before the White Island eruption in 2019... It still is a nice place with great scenery of the mighty Waikato though and lots of locals come here to walk their dogs

B. T.

The best place to swim in Taupo and it is FREE. I love to sit in the hot water, and then swim out into the freezing cold Waikato River. The hot water mixes with the cold water in a random fashion, resulting in a very pleasant experience.

M. W.

Stunning clean water at water ever temperature you want, thanks to the geothermally-heated stream entering the might Waikato River.

K. G.

Beautiful walk. Lovely young lady at the kiosk. Definitely recommend

Walk here this afternoon from the Sun Court Hotel all the way to the huka Falls what the influence Crew about 12 kms return. Beautiful colors in the Waikato river. Stopped for a soak at Otumuheke on the way back, nice n hot thermal waters. Saturday 18 October 2018.

J. H.

The stream is beautiful but the actual journey to it is very long, tirering and unfortunately my kuia wanted to but couldn't make it down it which was a shame.

Lovlery spot for a natural spar.can get busy but pick your times early evenings and sunup is special. Can buy a coffee in the day

S. C.

Coffee is amazing here! Staff are awesome too! Pretty cool little watering hole:)

E. S.

One of the best walks in taupo. Always a good time here

F. K.

A wonderful free activity to do! No shower facilities, there are public toilets for folks to change though. The river is beautiful and you can adjust the temperature depending how far down the river to sit. We wondered off to a more private stream but beware if you go past case you are on private maori land so please respect the boundaries

T. J.

Absolute MUST while here in Taupo! Can't believe something so amazing is free.

p. t.

Nice free place for a simple pleasure of a small warm water fall from the thermal area. Walk a few metres and you can swim in the river that leads to Huka Falls.

A. J.

Best visit during off peak times early in the morning or late evening when tourist numbers are lower. 10 min gentle sloping walk from the carpark. Unsuitable for people who have limited mobility. This is an actual pure natural hot spring into the river so DO NOT SUBMERGE your ears or heads underwater because of dangerous meningitis risk! Even though there are signs everywhere people are very unaware of the risk. I saw both children & adults swimming underwater. Lots of sharp submerged rocks close to the waterfalls and water visibility limited when crowded. Strong currents out into the river. No lifeguards. Still a great destination to visit and worth a swim.

D. W.

Great set out for easy access and room for all. What a great place.

d. g.

Awesome place to call into on our travels.. didnt disappoint

S. J.

So relaxing!!!! Excellent facility for those who want to experience the relaxing effects of natural hot pools. This location is a little out of the way, roughly a 40 minute drive out of Rotorua but totally worth it. Multiple different pools to choose from as well as private pools which you can book time slots for (if your looking for something a little romantic) we went closer to sun set. Less people around. A must if your in the area!!!

C. J. L.

Easy walk from town, from my location it was about 35 minutes. On the way to the hot pools, you will pass great view points overseeing the blue and green water. Excellent for pictures. The hot pools are a lot warmer than a thought. I would say they are in between 30 to 35 Celsius. Very pleasant during the fall season The water is relatively clean if you are in the cascade part of the hot pools. As for the lake, it's not that clear. The water is lukewarm in the lake.

S. H.

Another great free area. The twin waterfalls into beautiful pools are great. And the mixture of hot and cold water meeting at the rivers edge is so perfect for the younger kids. I recommend this to anyone and everyone. Watch out as it's gets crowded quite fast. But still awesome.

C. M.

Nice beautiful free pool next to river. Water was bout 38 degree in September, not hot enough and no shower just changing room. Recommend to get in in Summer.

A. L.

Weird experience but amazing. So there are changing rooms here and toilets! As well as drinking water. The pools look fantastic and feel even better. It sometimes is too hot but the cold river is there to help! It's a really relaxing time and both my girlfriend and I felt very sleepy afterwards.

L. M.

This is by far one of the best places to experience in NZ, kudos to the government for maintaining the place so well. Very relaxing to take a dip in the river. Wasn't too crowded at noon. Would have been perfect if there was a shower to wash off afterwards.

P. S.

Why to spend when there is a lake side Spa for free 😉

A. B.

Quiet place and really enjoyable hot pools, with the choice of the temperature you want thanks to the multiple spots and the river flowing below. And most of all it's totally free and not overcrowded! Very relaxing experience, don't hesitate a second

M. J.

Gorgeous peaceful place

C. A.

A lovely little spot to stop and relax in the hot water. There are toilets and a changing area and a place to fill your water bottle. I recommend bringing flip flops if your feet are sensitive as the ground down to the pools is quite rough.

Great place to hang out and meet others. The area has been recently renovated and there are lockers, toilets and dressing rooms nearby. You have to choose the right spot as some spots are cold and some are hot. It’s free and easy to reach by foot or bike

T. G.

Great natural spa. Was busy the afternoon we were there, but still a nice experience. Very warm and there's the bonus of a cool dip in the river if needed. Only 500 metres from the carpark and there are change rooms and toilets onsite.

E. K.

Great place to relax. Well maintained. Thanks Taupo

T. D.

It's a lovely setting on the edge of the mighty Waikato river and you are able to sit in hot pools and look out over the river. Toilets and a changing room available too. Coffee available in the summer hols.

C. C.

I love this place. Soaking in a hot water stream that is just the right set of temperatures depending on which part you inhabit. It's grungy and authentic, natural and refreshing all at the same time. Being free you usually share the place with other travelers and locals, but this is both easy and enjoyable and is part of the experience.

E. M.

Great spot with a really nice warm water pool (place for about maybe 8 people) and the area near the river (mixed cold and warm spots) for more people. Awesome experience and really relaxing. Car parking only opened from 7AM to 8PM.

P. P.

Free hot pools in a public park. Coffee and icecreams and soft drinks available at kiosk. Alcohol ban in the area.

Amazing hot pool but always quite a lot of people around. Sometimes there are also big groups of kayakers too! Would rather go to Kerosene Creek.

S. T.

Great initiative by the city. Awesome location, views and facilities. Come for a natural hot and cold dip in a great environment. 5-10 min walk from the parking lot with change room and toilet facilities right next to the pool.

h. a.

Most relaxing place for free.

I. M.

Beautiful spot

S. O.

Wonderful hot pool, with changing facilities and fantastic park to walk. All free too! Pool and car park can get a little busy but a great place to visit and take a dip.

P. T.

A very popular spot probably visiting for the same reason as us. It is free. Became a bit of people soup as there was so many people trying to get into the water at the same time. There is a little spot just up from where the warm stream meets the main river and a bonus if you can get into and claim that.

C. C.

Otumuheke Spa Park is amazing! A must visit! You can relax in the hot pools, or go to the part where the hot water meets the cold Waikato River and be half hot-half cold. There are changing rooms now and the area is well taken care of, thanks to the work of Patuiwi Maori Reserve Trust, Tūwharetoa Maori Trust Board, Department of Conservation, and local councils.

I. v.

Nice public hot pools experience. If you might be staying late (highly recommended on a good night) then do make sure you park ‘outside’ to avoid getting locked in and charged a call out fee.

This place is fabulous!! You can go from hot water water to cold, stunning surroundings, calm spot on the river. Please keep it clean. Great facilities.

B. H.

A good walk from the car park and dogs can run free Didn't go swimming in the warm water but there were people doing that. Just beyond dipping at our age

V. E.

Very busy, but free, can help to save over $20 for 2. It has changing rooms. Be ready to feel as a fish an a can

D. C.

Great spot for a dip in naturally heated water. Water temperature ranges from really hot to mildly cold. Find a decent spot under the bridge and kick back.

Natural hot water stream just heels you . marvelous .. You have to walk a bit to reach there but its worth

R. C.

Really awesome and free. It's a geothermal pool that the whole family can enjoy.

G. F.

Since I was last here the council has improved access, installed toilets, changing rooms and free lockers. Can get a bit crowded during peak season.

J. O.

Absolutely loved it, facilities super clean. Well looked after and a beautiful spot. Spent a good few hours here and would definitely recommend.

Thermal Hot Water River. Free for Public use. Changing Rooms & Toilet Block. These are all new renovations. Great day out.

M. P.

Please be careful with your belongings and lock your cars!! Many people get robbed down here while they swim and bags are always being dumped in the forest just up the hill from here, keep an eye out

J. T.

Really Good place!! This place where only local people seem to know.

M. K.

It was so amazing to float down the cold river and arrive at the hot pools. The temperature was perfect. There are two sides to the hot pools, hot and even hotter. Highly recommended.

P. F.

One of the best natural pools people can freely enjoy. Had an awesome time over here with my family and best friend's family

Great natural attraction, geothermal hot pools or just float down the river. There is also an awesome cafe there, had great coffee.

J. O.

Really fun to visit, but super busy, even mid-week in April! Would have been nicer with a bit more space/fewer people.

D. A.

Nice place for hanging out and relax. Found piece of glasses spread over few area of riverbed, watch out your foot when step out near to side of river

B. M.

Picturesque location with a thermal spring meeting the fresh cool water of Waikato. Good safe spot for the whole family.

Beautiful free thermal pool in taupo

r. s.

good job opening this place up with easier access and toilet block also fresh water available just hope visitors practice tidy kiwiness

R. R.

Excellent Place, great for people of all ages. Be careful of the river current don't go to far in.

J. C.

Cool

if you living in hinemoa ave here. i will show you how to get in spa park hot pools. head northwest and take 1ST EXIT onto rifle range road take right before the roundabout go into center middle take 1ST EXIT into tauhara road go bypass hot pools and ac baths and then half way to spa park hot pools go to the road thats near the wakatio river and then YOU AT SPA PARK HOT POOLS thats the directions to spa park hot pools BYE