Hell's Gate Geothermal Reserve Tours & Tickets

Bathe in Rotorua's ancient geothermal mud spa, rooted in 800 years of Māori healing**.**

• Everything you get: Entry to Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve, full-body mud bath followed by time in sulfur-hot pools, access to the cool plunge pool, use of changing room and lockers, plus complimentary shuttle transfers from Rotorua central (advance booking required).
• Why choose this: For a unique Rotorua spa experience combining natural geothermal therapy with centuries of Māori wellness tradition.

Inclusions

• Entry to Hell's Gate Geothermal Reserve

• 20-minute mud bath

• Unlimited access to sulfur hot pools

• Access to cool plunge pool

• Use of changing facilities & lockers

• Access to Māori-inspired wellness rituals

• Complimentary shuttle pick-up and drop-off within Rotorua central area (separate booking required)

Exclusions

• Māori carving workshop

• Swimwear and towels (available for rent on-site)

What to bring

• Bring swimwear and a towel for mud bath and spa experiences. Your swimwear and towels will smell of sulfur and require thorough cleaning afterward. We recommend using old swimwear or hiring/buying from Hell's Gate (subject to availability).
• Bring a valid photo ID to match the name on your booking if requested at the entrance.
• Bring comfortable footwear for walking through the geothermal reserve.
• Sunscreen, a hat, and a water bottle are recommended for outdoor areas.

What’s not allowed

• Pets are not permitted, except for registered service animals.
• Alcohol, drugs, and any form of intoxication are strictly prohibited on the premises.
• Large bags, suitcases, and oversized luggage are not allowed inside the spa and geothermal areas.
• Smoking is not permitted within the facility.
• Use of the mud baths is restricted for guests under 2.5 years old, and the sulfur spa is restricted for infants under 6 months old.

Accessibility

• This experience may not be fully accessible for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. Please contact the venue in advance for specific accessibility information.

Additional information

• Shuttle transfers require advance booking and are subject to availability.
• The mud bath has a time limit of 20 minutes once a day for health and safety reasons.
• The mud and water can damage (tarnish) jewelry, particularly silver. To protect your items, remove them completely and do not wear them again for 24 to 48 hours.

Explore, unwind, and connect: The complete Hell’s Gate experience, New Zealand's only mud spa.

• Everything you get: Access to Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve with healing mud pools and sulfur spas, geothermal walks (0.6km, 1.5km, 2.0km), mud volcanoes, hot waterfalls, and steaming cliffs. Stroll through native bush, and try out Māori carving traditions.
• Why choose this: For a wellness escape that blends geothermal exploration with Māori traditions and natural spa therapy.

Inclusions

• Geothermal walk through Hell's Gate Geothermal Reserve

• Hands-on Māori carving experience

• 20-minute mud bath, unlimited access to sulfur hot pools

• Access to cool plunge pool

• Complimentary guided tour (10:30am and 2:30pm, subject to availability)

• Map for self-guided walk

• Access to geothermal features including mud volcano, hot waterfall & land coral

• Educational displays on geothermal activity & Māori traditions

• Use of changing facilities & lockers

• Access to Māori-inspired wellness rituals

• Complimentary shuttle pick-up and drop-off within Rotorua central area (separate booking required)

Exclusions

• Swimwear and towels (available for rent on-site)

• Mud footpool (temporarily unavailable)

What to bring

• Bring old or dark-colored swimwear, as sulfur pools and mud baths may stain lighter fabrics.
• Bring a towel and a change of clothes for after your bath.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven and potentially slippery geothermal paths.
• Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during your visit.
• Bring a valid photo ID to match the name on your booking if requested at the entrance.

What’s not allowed

• Do not enter pools or areas that are marked as too hot or acidic for bathing.
• Stay on marked paths at all times for your safety, as the earth’s crust can be thin and hazardous.
• Large bags, suitcases, and oversized luggage are not permitted inside the reserve.
• Pets are not allowed, except for registered service animals.
• Alcohol, drugs, and any form of intoxication are strictly prohibited on the premises.
• Outside food and beverages are not permitted; meals and drinks are available for purchase at the on-site café.
• The mud baths are restricted for guests under 2.5 years; the sulfur spa is restricted for those under 6 months. Children under 12 are restricted from participating in the Māori carving experience.

Accessibility

• This experience is not fully wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and natural geothermal features.
• Some tracks and bathing areas may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility.

Additional information

• The mud bath has a time limit of 20 minutes once a day for health and safety reasons.
• Remove all jewelry (especially silver) as the chemicals in the mud/water will cause tarnish. Wait 24–48 hours before putting it back on.
• Some features, such as the Mud Footpool, may be temporarily unavailable.
• Not all pools are suitable for bathing; please follow on-site signage and staff instructions.
• Participation in Māori carving or geothermal cooking experiences may require advance booking or incur additional charges.
• Children must be supervised at all times due to geothermal hazards.
• The geothermal environment has strong sulfur smells, which may be intense for some visitors.

Explore Rotorua’s most active geothermal reserve with hands-on Māori carving.

• Everything you get: 90-minute geothermal walk through Rotorua’s most active reserve, with bubbling mud pools, steaming cliffs, and the southern hemisphere’s largest hot waterfall. Includes a complimentary Māori carving session.
• Why choose this:  For an immersive outdoor experience where you can explore Rotorua’s living landscape and connect with the Māori stories that shape it.

Inclusions

• Geothermal walk through Hell's Gate Geothermal Reserve

• Hands-on Māori carving experience

• Complimentary guided tour (10:30am and 2:30pm, subject to availability)

• Map for self-guided walk

• Access to geothermal features including mud volcano, hot waterfall & land coral

• Educational displays on geothermal activity & Māori traditions

• Complimentary shuttle pick-up and drop-off within Rotorua central area (separate booking required)

Exclusions

• Swimwear and towels (available for rent on-site)

• Mud bath, sulfur spa & cool plunge pool access

What to bring

• Bring comfortable walking shoes suitable for outdoor terrain.
• Bring weather-appropriate clothing, as the experience takes place outdoors.
• Bring a valid photo ID to match the name on your booking if requested at the entrance.
• Swimwear and towels are not required for this experience (no bathing access).

What’s not allowed

• Pets are not permitted, except for registered service animals.
• Alcohol, drugs, and any form of intoxication are strictly prohibited on the premises.
• Large bags, suitcases, and oversized luggage are not allowed inside the park for security reasons.

Accessibility

• This experience may not be fully accessible for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility due to uneven outdoor terrain.

Additional information

• Children must be aged 12 and over to participate in the Māori carving activity.
• All complimentary services, including the guided tour, shuttle, and carving, are subject to availability.
• Complimentary shuttle pick-up and drop-off within the Rotorua central area must be booked in advance; bookings are essential via phone or email.
• Guided tours are offered daily at 10:30am and 2:30pm, subject to availability. A self-guided map is provided if you do not join a guided tour.
• Infants (0–4 years) can enter free of charge but must be included in your booking.