New Zealand is known for its unique and beautiful landscape. From Milford Sound in the South Island to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in the North, this country is made for people who love the outdoors. And while some are free, a lot of them end up costing you a bit of money. For instance, even though the Tongariro is free to hike, you have to pay a shuttle to drop you off and pick you up because of parking rules in the area. For Milford Sound, you really need to hire a boat or kayak to access the area’s gorgeous views.
The hot pools and hot springs in Rotorua are no different. The most amazing sights in this area all charge an entry fee. I understand in this case some of it is to protect and preserve the natural resources, but it can get pricey for anyone on a budget. But there is a free option.
Kuirau Park is located on the edge of Rotorua’s downtown and is home to several natural examples of geothermal activity in the area. Sure, the sights aren’t nearly as colorful as those in the paying attractions, but you can certainly get the feel of what makes this place unique. (Including the sulphuric smell!)
Kuirau Park is mostly home to different pools of bubbling, hot mud. While this is actually quite neat to see, the main attraction here is the area’s massive boiling lake.
Kuirau Lake is fairly large, and there are pathways built all the way around it for you to see it safely. Full of dead trees and smoke rising from the lake, the whole area feels like a villain’s secret lair. Making the whole atmosphere even more spooky? A story behind its name and founding that sounds like the plot of a horror movie. According to Maori Legend, Lake Kuirau used to be a cooler lake and was called Taokahu. In fact, they say it was cool enough that people could bath in the water, and that’s exactly what a woman named
According to Maori Legend, Lake Kuirau used to be a cooler lake and was called Taokahu. In fact, they say it was cool enough that people could bath in the water, and that’s exactly what a woman named Kuiarau was doing when a legendary creature name Taniwha dragged her to his lair below the lake. Legend has it this action angered the gods, who made the lake boil to kill Taniwha. The lake has been boiling since and was renamed after the woman who died.
Makes you want to visit, doesn’t it?
As I said previously, Kuirau’s attractions aren’t all that colorful and are fairly limited in scope. (It’s mostly mud, outside the lake.) Kuirau Park is also missing a place for you to actually get in the water, although there is a place to dip your feet in. Personally, I was okay not getting into any hot pools, as they are breeding grounds for amoebas that lead to meningitis. But if that’s your thing, there are a lot of free pools outside of downtown for you to take a dip in.
Kuirau Park is uniquely beautiful, and I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates a spooky location and doesn’t have a lot of money. It’s an especially useful find for backpackers in the area who don’t own a car to make it out to the paying attractions, which are all a bit of a drive outside of the city.
However, if you are willing to spend money, check back next week when I take you through some of the colorful attractions at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Sounds very spooky but beautiful lol
Definitely both of those things, haha. 🙂
Wow these pictures look breathtaking. NZ is a definite on my bucket list! Thanks for the info!
New Zealand is absolutely beautiful! You have to get here. Thanks for reading. 🙂
Awesome! Would love to visit… added to my bucket list 🙂 Thanks!
Thanks! It is absolutely bucket-list worthy for sure.
Oooh this was an interesting read! Thanks for sharing. The mist from the thermal pool is incredible! Nice photos 😀
That is so surreal ! I guess this kind of locations take you to an alternate dimension.
Surreal is a good word for it. I sometimes visit places like this and think how much fun I would’ve had there as a kid. It would be a great place to play make-believe!
There are places in my country where hot springs are abundant and are good for dipping because they claim to be therapeutic but I don’t have any knowledge of any with bubbling, hot mud. Looking at the photos you shared, they look extremely hot. Is it possible to take a mud bath there?
It’s not possible to take a mud bath in this particular park, in fact, there are signs all over warning against it. There are spas in the area though that do use the geothermal activities and elements as a way to treat their clients and more traditional hot pools where you can take a dip.
New Zealand is definitely on my bucket list! Such a beautiful country full of nature. I can’t wait to go some day!
If nature is your thing, this is definitely the place to be! I would definitely recommend a trip here.
Wow! A boiling lake really does sound like a scary place! It’s very interesting to learn about the natural formations in New Zeland, of which I had no idea about their existence.
Thanks! Yeah, I only knew about some of the natural formations before I got here myself, (basically Milford Sound, if I am completely honest.) But it has been a really great adventure learning about places like this one.
I’ve always wanted to visit new Zealand. It feels like a country with lots to do and this would be top of my list. It’s look so pretty
There is a lot to do here for any outdoor enthusiast for sure! This place is definitely worth checking out if you get down here.
My son is off to New Zealand this year and if all goes well, next year for me!!! Great pics and blog!
Thanks so much! And that’s so cool that your son is coming down here. Are he and you moving here permanently?
Oh I really love spooky places. Great pictures. So awesome you can see this an not pay hefty price. Love finding gems like this.
Spooky is such a good word for it. I was lucky enough to be with a friend who could show me all the cool (and inexpensive) sites, otherwise I may have missed it!
Man I wanted to go here when I was in New Zealand, it looks like an alien landscape. Sadly, by the time I made it to the North Island I had zero money left and just stayed in a friends house in Auckland for three days!
It definitely feels like it’s out of this world. But from what I’ve heard, the South Island is why more stunning so you did it the right way, I think. (I have so much yet to see!)
I was JUST in Rotorua on a tour to te puia geothermal area and heard about this park! Great photos and info you have here!
Thanks! It was a really neat place. I kind of wish we would’ve also went to Te Puia when I was there, it sounds like such a cool place to visit, but we were on a schedule.
Lake Kuirau looks very spooky! I would love to visit and I think it would be awesome for a themed photoshoot! I also enjoy a good story behind every place..! (not so good for the dead girl tho) :p
Oh, yeah it would be a great place for a photoshoot, for sure. And yeah, the legend is quite cool but also kind of frightening, haha. It gave me chills when I read it on the sign while there.
This looks awesome!!! 😍 New Zealand is on my “must-see soon!” list.
Thanks! New Zealand is definitely a great place to visit and I would recommend it to anyone who loves the outdoors!
Ooh very interesting! I never knew there are so many Hot Springs in NZ. The legend of Kuirau Lake is fascinating, makes me want to go.
I didn’t know there were so many hot springs here before I arrived either. I’m glad you enjoyed the legend, I thought it was quite interesting myself.
These photos are breathtaking! I wish I could go visit NZ…. it looks like it’s worth it. I appreciate the details you’ve provided!
Thanks! It’s definitely worth a visit. Who knows, maybe you’ll make it this way at some point. You never know. 🙂
This place looks totally cool! I would love to visit here!
Thanks! It is a really surreal experience, and definitely somewhere to check out if you are ever in New Zealand!
I want to go so bad! Thank you for the great post it sounds exciting! I’m putting it on my bucket list!
Glad you found it inspiring! It is definitely a stop to be included on any tour of NZ.
I would absolutely love to visit the springs, but NZ is clear 100% the opposite of the world where I am here in Detroit! And am I the only one who LIKES the smell of sulfur?? I bet I wouldn’t mind it there! You can’t actually get into the pools, can you? Like in the movies?
It is quite a long (and expensive) flight to get here for sure! I flew here from Baltimore originally. And you can get in some of the pools outside the city, but not the ones at this park. However, you are supposed to be able to dip your feet in somewhere, but I couldn’t find it.
Also, you like the sulfar smell?! I may find it a bit strange but hey, Rotorua would be a great place to visit then!! Lots of that here. 🙂