Hell’s Gate Mud Spa

Witness a land born of myth and legend, where Rūaumoko heats the Earth from a world below, boiling mud and billowing steam into the air. Journey through native bush into an active geothermal landscape, bathe in mud and sulphur pools, and revitalise the mind, body, and soul.

Experience Details

Duration

1-3 hours

Pricing

$45 - $115

Geothermal walk, mud spa, or full experience

Options

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UNCOVER THE WONDERS OF GEOTHERMAL

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Located on the outskirts of Rotorua lies the awe-inspiring geothermal reserve best known today as Hell’s Gate.

 Steeped in myth and legend, this landscape has much to discover.  Walking through the geothermal reserve, it is hard to ignore the power of Rūaumoko (the god of volcanoes) as steam billows to the sky and the earth boils and bubbles around you. 

Native flora, teeming with bird life, holds hidden wonders before opening into an array of different geothermal features waiting to be discovered around every corner.

From the largest hot waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere to mud volcanoes and erupting waters, you’ll find it here.

Be inspired by joining one of our guided tours, offering insights into the history, cultural and scientific significance of the area. These depart daily at 10:30am and 2:30pm, subject to availability.

 After your geothermal walk join us in our interactive Carving House, where our talented carvers will not only demonstrate their artistry but also guide you in creating your own taonga (treasure) to take home.

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EMBRACE THE POWER OF HEALING MUD & WATERS

Nestled within an active geothermal reserve, Hell’s Gate offers New Zealand’s only geothermal mud bath experience. A treasured place of healing and revitalisation for Māori for more than 500 years, our geothermal mud is unique to this area and renowned for its therapeutic benefits and rejuvenating properties.

Begin your journey by immersing yourself in geothermal pools as you lather yourself head to toe in silky smooth geothermal mud. Relax as nature nurtures the body and mind, opening the pores and exfoliating, detoxifying and nourishing the skin, leaving it feeling rejuvenated and fresh.

Following this indulgent experience, soothe the body in nutrient-rich sulphur spas while taking in the unique view over the geothermal landscape.

Unwind to the sound of waterfalls and native birds or revitalise the body and take the plunge in the cold pool.  Promoting relaxation, relieving aching muscles and offering relief for various skin ailments, the healing waters of Tikitere have been sought out for centuries.

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Common Questions

  • Hell’s Gate combines an active geothermal reserve, Māori culture and New Zealand’s only geothermal mud bathing experience in one location. Visitors can explore dramatic geothermal landscapes before relaxing in the mud bath and sulphur spas.

  • Choose the Geothermal Walk to explore the reserve, the Mud Bath and Spas for bathing and relaxation, or the Full Experience to combine the geothermal walk, mud bath and sulphur spas.

  • Allow approximately one hour for the Geothermal Walk, one and half hours for the Mud Bath and Spas, and around three hours for the Full Experience.

  • Hell’s Gate offers a complimentary shuttle from selected Rotorua locations. Advance booking is required, and current pickup information is available on the official Hell’s Gate website.

  • Bring swimwear, comfortable walking shoes and a water bottle. Towels and swimwear are available to hire from Hell’s Gate if required.

  • Children aged two and a half years and older can enter the mud bath. Babies aged six months and older can enter the sulphur pools. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.