05 Oct 2025
This was the first geothermal park we have ever visited and it was amazing! We enjoyed it much more than Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland which we visited the next day - far less touristy (no crazy crowds) and a gorgeous forest setting. We did find the stinky steam to be a bit of a shock at first, but got over it relatively quickly (the kids learned to stay upwind as much as possible!).
We did all 3 tracks (approx 4km), which are mostly downhill (last track is mainly flat) - the uphill steps to the stunning teal blue Crater Lake are well worth it! There were many interesting geological and geothermal features to admire throughout the park, with the added bonus of an abundance of birdlife.
We skipped the cruise (our kids would have handled 45mins on a boat with very little grace) and caught the thoughtfully provided bus back to the Visitor Centre. Keep an eye on the time - you definitely don’t want to miss the last bus! It’s a long walk back uphill.
The Visitor Centre has a large-ish cafe and an excellent gift shop. Plus umbrellas to use during the walk - these came in very handy during our visit on a rainy day.
Highly recommend visiting Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Just be warned it is a bit expensive compared to the other thermal parks around Rotorua, but it is worth it!