That natural
feeling
Otumuheke Stream, Taupō © Joel McDowell
Mother Nature made a giant spa complex and she called it Aotearoa. Come and try one of her lesserknown natural hot pools.
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SECRET HOT POOLS: Rotorua
Rotorua is all about thermal water, but few know that Lake Tarawera’s walking trail boasts more than what’s in the guidebooks. Starting from Te Wairoa car park, the 5km track conceals Wairua Stream Hot Pools, an all-natural lagoon hidden in thick bush. There are no signposts, but approximately 2.5 hours into the hike you’ll reach Te Wairua Stream Amenity. Look for a short detour; foliage often camouflages the path entrance but forge ahead and you’ll find a secluded hot pool. From here, it’s downhill to Hot Water Beach where you can have a secondary soak on the edges of Lake Tarawera.
We Love You New Zealand! Spring 2021
RIVER REJUVENATION: Taupō
The cat’s been out of the bag about Spa Thermal Park for a while; now its popularity has led to an upgrade. Situated in a pocket where the freshwater Waikato River meets the steaming hot Otumuheke Stream, the water is warm and mineralrich. Bathe under the waterfall and then de-stress in its natural rock pool. While the recent regeneration has brought new bathrooms, a changing room and coffee shack, the vicinity remains pleasantly rough-hewn.
