• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Top Hot Springs Logo Wide

  • Home
  • Hot Springs by State
    • Alaska
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado (redirects)
    • Florida
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Massachusetts
    • Montana
    • Nevada
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Hot Springs by Country
    • Africa
      • South Africa
    • Asia
      • China
      • Georgia
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • South Korea
      • Taiwan
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • Vietnam (redirects)
    • Australia/Oceania
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
    • Europe
      • Albania
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Croatia
      • Czech Republic
      • France
      • Georgia
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Norway
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Romania
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Turkey
      • UK
    • North/Central America
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Dominican Republic
      • Honduras
      • Mexico
      • Nicaragua
      • United States
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Peru
      • Uruguay
  • Camping
  • Lodging
  • Search
  • Home
  • Hot Springs by State
  • Hot Springs by Country
  • Camping
  • Lodging
Footbridge in Kuirau Park thermal area in New Zealand with steam rising

Kuirau Park Footbaths – Rotorua, New Zealand

March 18, 2023 By //  by Kristin Park

Kuirau Park, the only free, geothermal public park in New Zealand, can be found near the city center of Rotoura. While not a traditional hot springs resort, it does boasts some foot baths guests can use. Other highlights include geothermal areas with boiling areas fenced off for safety, such as the famous mud pools.

From sports fields to a couple of foot baths, there are plenty of ways to spend time outdoors here.

History

Footbridge in Kuirau Park thermal area in New Zealand with steam rising
Kuirau Thermal Park, New Zealand. Photo by: Radek Strnad

Maori folklore says that the gods were upset when a mythical creature pulled a girl swimming in the main lake of the now park to the very bottom. In response, they made the water boil to kill the creature. The girl’s name was Kuiarau, and today, it is named after her. The billowing steam serves as an otherworldly warning against swimming.

Another of the pools fenced off today is Waiparuparu. While it was a popular 19th century swimming spot, it was also a choice source of sinter, porous silica used to build chimneys in nearby villages.

In the Paparangi pools, kakahi, or freshwater mussel shells, are often uncovered. As long ago as 1300, Maoris used them for cooking.

While it is rare to see eruptions in these mud pools used to vent underground heat, it’s not unheard of. In 2001 and 2003, eruptions blew mud and rocks 33 feet high. The instability is part of the reason bathers are only allowed within a certain distance.

The Foot Baths, Mud Pools, and Other Activities

Woman standing in a long foot bath in Kuirau Park Thermals in Rotorua, New Zealand
Foot bath at Kuirau Park. Photo by: Eli Duke

There are multiple mud pools on the east side of the park, where the geothermal activity is, though they are unsafe to swim in. A long, rectangular foot bath is the best place to enjoy clear mineral water. There are multiple options throughout the park set up with wooden benches on all sides, the most popular of which is between the children’s playground and the lake.

Kuirau Park is a lovely place to simply relax and enjoy the day. Read a book, plan a picnic, or visit Quota Scented Garden, donated for garden-lovers and, in particular, the blind. You can also take a walk around Kuirau Lake if you’re careful to stay on the boardwalk. The temperature of the water ranges from 104-122℉ (40-50℃).

Those who want to fully immerse themselves can check out the aquatic center host to several non-thermal options. A badminton club and sports field are available for athletics and picnic tables and barbecues, for leisure. If you happen to visit on a Saturday morning, the local farmers’ market offers all kinds of fresh produce to make your meal.

Getting There

Sunny day looking at the grass and path in Kuirau Park in Rotorua, New Zealand,
Kuirau Park, Rotorua, New Zealand. Photo by: sandwich

From Auckland, follow SH 1 southeast for around 108 miles. Once you have passed through Tirau, take the first exit at the roundabout and stay on State Highway 5 for around 31 miles. Turn left onto State Highway 30A. You’ll see signs for the airport, city center, and Whakatane. Merge onto Pukuatua Street, then turn left on Kuirau Street.

The park will be on the right. Parking is available along the road and in lots on the south end of the park.

Close-up photo of a mud pool at Kuirau Park in New Zealand
Kuirau Park mud pool (cannot enter). Photo by: sandwich

Details

Address: Kuirau Street, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand

Season: Year-round

Website: rotoruanz.com/things-to-do/family-fun/kuirau-park

Kristin Park

About Kristin Park

Kristin is a lifelong travel enthusiast and writer. With previous jobs in television and teaching abroad, she’s a big fan of finding adventure—and delicious food—off the beaten path.

Previous Post: «Bench at Morere Hot Springs in New Zealand Morere Hot Springs – Mōrere, New Zealand
Next Post: Miranda Hot Springs – Thames, New Zealand Outdoor pool at Miranda Hot Springs in New Zealand»

Primary Sidebar

Oceanian Springs

  • All Oceania
  • Australia
  • New Zealand

Join our community of hot springers

Enter your email below and grab our complimentary guide on the world's top hot springs.

Footer

Top Hot Springs

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Travel Guide

  • Hot Springs by State
  • Hot Springs by Country
  • Africa Hot Springs
  • Asia Hot Springs
  • Europe Hot Springs
  • Oceania Hot Springs
  • North/Central America Hot Springs
  • South America Hot Springs
  • Camping at Hot Springs
  • Lodging at Hot Springs

Latest Hot Springs

  • Miranda Hot Springs – Thames, New Zealand
  • Kuirau Park Footbaths – Rotorua, New Zealand
  • Morere Hot Springs – Mōrere, New Zealand
  • Sequoia Lodge – Crafers, SA, Australia
  • 7132 Therme Vals – Eastern Switzerland

Disclosure: Top Hot Springs is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Copyright © 2023 · Top Hot Springs | Sitemap