About | Kerosene Creek
Go for a little wander through the native bush and you’ll come across a natural and geothermally heated stream. People swarm here to warm their bodies and their souls. Relax in a wonderfully warm stream set amongst the beautiful bush, there’s no better way to relax after taking in the sights of Rotorua.
You’ll find this little gem hidden off the beaten track and then a short stroll through the serene native bush where you’ll follow a stream to find little spots by waterfalls to soak in. Natural stairs help you to get down to the last spot where you’ll find a natural spa pool. Let the stress melt away. The temperature is around a toasty 30°C. Sink your toes into the gravel sitting on the bottom and you’ll find the source of the heat – underneath is a hot spring bubbling its way up and mixing with the freshwater cold stream. Walk around and you’ll find hotter and cooler spots.
There’s no charge for this little piece of paradise, just please take your rubbish with you.
Best time to go: being nice and warm, the best time to enjoy this natural hot spring is when it’s a bit cooler – during the heat of summer it can feel too hot, so if you visit in summer, come in the early morning or late afternoon.
Caution: As with all thermal hot pools, you’ll need to keep your head above water. This is because these waters can contain nasty organisms that cause the deadly amoebic meningitis. The good news is that it is rare to catch but swim at your own risk and keep your head above water. This includes jumping, diving and splashing in the water.
How to get there: take the bumpy, gravel Old Waiotapu Road and follow it for about 2 kilometres / 3 minutes until you see a parking space, hop out and it’s just a quick walk to Kerosene Creek.
Toilets: small changing shed and toilet by the carpark.
Take valuables with you: this spot has been known for break-ins so take all of your valuables with you when you visit Kerosene Creek.
Take rubbish with you: being such a well-visited spot, keep Kerosene Creek beautiful by taking any rubbish with you and leaving it better than you found it.
Nearby
Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve
Hot ‘n’ Cold
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Location
Our experience
This is our absolute favourite place to come for a soak in Rotorua – there’s just nothing else that can quite compare, especially when you’re lucky enough to have the place to yourself. Though we’d love to say this is a hidden gem, it’s actually quite popular and well known with both local and tourists flocking to the area to warm their bodies. In saying that, if you come early enough, you may just be able to get this place all to yourself. And when we came in early on a school day, we were very happy to be able to enjoy it all to ourselves – well, other than another tourist who looked like he’d parked his camper there for the night.
It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to enjoy this non-commercialised hot spring but equally important that we look after it so that others can enjoy it as well. We love coming back here, time after time. It’s one of those spots where the novelty of it will never wear off.
