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Orakei Korako Tour: Self-Guided Geothermal Experience in New Zealand
4.8
124 Ratings
Taupo
Embark on a self-guided tour of Orakei Korako, a unique geothermal attraction in New Zealand. Explore geysers, mud pools, hot springs, and more in this extraordinary experience!
Embark on a self-guided tour of Orakei Korako, a unique geothermal attraction in New Zealand. Explore geysers, mud pools, hot springs, and more in this extraordinary experience!
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Orakei Korako Cave & Thermal Park - Orakei Korako boasts the most active geysers of any geothermal park in New Zealand. Up to 23 active natural geysers play freely through the area, which is constantly changing. Marvel at the number of boiling hot springs and the vibrant colours all around you, or take a native bushwalk through this untouched…
- Orakei Korako Cave & Thermal Park - Orakei Korako boasts the most active geysers of any geothermal park in New Zealand. Up to 23 active natural geysers play freely through the area, which is constantly changing. Marvel at the number of boiling hot springs and the vibrant colours all around you, or take a native bushwalk through this untouched geothermal paradise. The Lonely Planet Guide describes Orakei Korako as “…arguably the best thermal area left in New Zealand”.
What's Included
- On-demand ferry rides
- Goods and Services Tax (GST) included
- Freedom of a self-guided tour
- On-demand ferry rides
- Goods and Services Tax (GST) included
- Freedom of a self-guided tour
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Guide - this tour is completely self-guided
- Food and drinks
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Guide - this tour is completely self-guided
Additional Information
Join our exclusively self-directed journey for an unparalleled geothermal adventure!
This distinctive geothermal sight, located between Rotorua and Taupo, allows you to marvel at geysers, mud pools, hot springs, silica terraces, New Zealand’s native bush, and a rare thermal cave up close. It is often hailed as ‘Arguably the Best Thermal in New Zealand’….
Join our exclusively self-directed journey for an unparalleled geothermal adventure!
This distinctive geothermal sight, located between Rotorua and Taupo, allows you to marvel at geysers, mud pools, hot springs, silica terraces, New Zealand’s native bush, and a rare thermal cave up close. It is often hailed as ‘Arguably the Best Thermal in New Zealand’.
The destination allows a 2.5km self-paced walk that usually takes 1 to 1.5 hours. It is open every day of the year (including Christmas) from 8am to 4:30pm. A brief round-trip ferry route to the site is provided and operates as needed.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Location
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave
Orākei Kōrako Road
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(124 Ratings)
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Janenevill
Oct 8, 2024
Definitely worth a visit - Arrived early so more or less had place to ourselves
Highly impressive on arrival that doesn’t disappoint as you go round the park.
Boat ride across which is a nice touch.
Staff all friendly and helpful
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jessica_nz2
Sep 30, 2024
Geothermal excellence - A relaxed peaceful morning. Went on a weekday and the place was quiet. If you want to skip the tour busses which we encountered at wai o tapu then this is the place we had heard. I loved this place, so pretty. Lots to see. Geysers, bubbling mud, boiling water and colourful pools and geothermal cave etc, all surrounded in native bush. We didn't have to wait for the short ferry ride, it goes on demand even for two people.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peggyv964
Sep 12, 2024
Geo Thermal park - This place is so incredible and beautiful! From the little boat ride across the lake to the thermal area, perfect! Very unknown and off the beaten track, no tourist buses creates a calm wonderful self paced experience.
The staff were all so lovely and relaxed and welcoming.
I have some physical restraints and only did part of the first loop but still saw so much!
A must do!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle22nz
Sep 8, 2024
Worthwhile visit - Nice place to visit if you have limited time for sightseeing.
Take the short ferry ride to the geothermal landscape.
Nicely laid out and beautiful to view the geysers and mud pools. Take lots of photos as the sunshine will make this place magical.
Quite a few stairs.. moderate fitness required. No pushchairs.
Nice coffee at cafe and friendly staff. Buy the $10 book which explains every inch of the landscape.
Enjoy.. I did.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
920alixb
Aug 12, 2024
Fantastic experience, we loved it! - We thought this place was fantastic. We would go so far to say it was the best thermal area we’ve seen! The staff were friendly and welcoming. The boat trip across was a nice start. The track is well maintained, there’s no rubbish, anywhere! (Show me a big commercial thermal area where some idiot hasn’t thrown a drink bottle or some other rubbish in!! 🙄) it’s a lovely bush walk with all the thermal attractions along the way plus the beautiful cave. Some of the stairs were a bit tough on the arthritic knees but we took it slowly and spotted lots of interesting extras along the way. A great experience, well worth the entrance fee. We’ll be recommending it to everyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Imranf16
May 26, 2024
Must see attraction in Taupo… - One of the most colourful of the geo thermal attractions I have seen.The staff is excellent and it is a well maintained attraction.
We have been to Yellow stone in US but the colours at Orakei Korako were more vivid. We also visited Waimangu Volcanic Village but Orakei outclasses it by a million.
Definitely a must see if in Taupo.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
467leoniet
May 24, 2024
A "Must See" Sight - Lovely people with a fascinating colourful park - a thermal wonderland. The boat journey adds a special introduction and ensures a most enjoyable experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John
May 8, 2024
Well worth the detour. - It's quite a detour to get here but it's worth it. The admission fee is expensive, but it does include the water taxi across the lake, and all those boardwalks must cost a lot to build and maintain. What makes Orakei Korako stand out from other geothermal sites are the white silica terraces, on which colours flow as if pots of paint had been spilled. The Artist's Palette is well named, and the climb to the lookout above it is worth the effort. To climb further, the cave is impressive only for its unusual origin, but the plopping mud pools with their mud fountains provide absorbing entertainment. Two way radios and evacuation routes are provided at strategic points for a worst case scenario.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Denise
Jun 9, 2024
Nature at its best - Husband enjoyed but sadly being disabled it was not accessible for me. I was told by a very helpful lassy 600 steps. 😥
I spent an enjoyable hour sat on patio overlooking lake enjoying excellent steak pie and coffee.
I could see thermals across the lake but sadly they didn't blow whilst i was watching. Nature at its best.
Well worth a visit
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anonymoustraveler012
Oct 5, 2024
Worthwhile but with one big caveat - The geothermal field is interesting and good to see - I am not sure it is very much better than several other areas that can be seen around Rotorua. However the information given is very misleading - it says the last boat leaves for the field at 4:00pm, which is correct, and that it takes 1-2 hours to walk around it, which is also correct - but what they do NOT tell you is that the last boat BACK leaves at 5:00pm (and the boat's operator will tell you to be at the jetty at 4:50pm), so you cannot see the whole place if you take the 4:00pm boat, even if you rush and literally run through it (which we did). So, be warned - don't arrive there after 3:00pm!
Review provided by Tripadvisor