New Zealand Hot Springs Tour

Warm and cozy Ellie

So this is a great perk of traveling in NZ. Stopping the car to soak in hot water. We have been doing a ton of driving and having a little car equals the kids bouncing off of each-other (fights and annoying body sound effects). So, john and I really appreciate the calming and almost "drug-like" affect it has on the kids. They go totally chill and we can proceed on after a soak with a content family again.

This might have been one of our favorite soaks at 
Mauria Hot Springs. http://www.maruiasprings.co.nz/
Private and public traditional Japanese hotpools and plunge pool in a spectacular mountain setting. The heat for these pools is managed through the natural thermal activity that occurs in the area, so after heavy rainfall the pool temperatures can be affected. The time was right though, and we got to experience a feeling of nature and calm even though it was a paid resort. It reminded us of Jerry Johnson hotsprings in Idaho. Good form.

Japanese hotsprings

Jen enjoying Maoura Hotsprings

Dad and Alex



Kids ready to get in warm milk bath at the Traditional Natural Japaneses hot springs



Alex at Maoura Springs

HAMMER HOT SPRINGS

Alex and Ellie in the kids section at Hammer Springs



Hammer Springs

The Hammer Springs Thermal Pools http://www.hanmersprings.co.nz/ offers a wide range of experiences, from soothing indulgence to exciting family fun. We enjoyed the rock and sulphur pools. The kids loved the a family activity area - complete with water slides. This was a massive resort and super commercial which usually isn't what John and I dig, but of course the kids love this sort of thing...and ok, ok, I love water slides too.

Dad and Alex in the hot sulfur pool



Alex and Mama Jen

Tokaanu Thermal Pools

Private hotspings near Turangi on the north island

 Happy Ellie and dad

Ellie chillin out in the kids area near Turangi

The Tokaanu natural thermal pools have for five centuries been recognised by the Ngati Tuwharetoa people, for bathing, cooking and dyeing of clothes. Europeans started to use the pools extensively once Tokaanu was established as a major stopover on the Grand Tour stage coach run from Wanganui to Taupo in the 1800s. These pools were and are a very welcome way to rejuvenate.
Also near the hotsprings were a lovely little track around bubbling mud pots and extremely hot and dangerous geysers.

just like Yellowstone!

Because of all the many active volcanoes in the area - there are many crazy hotsprings and mud pots around Turangi. What makes it so hot? The Tokaanu area is part of the active Taupo volcanic zone, as is sometimes demonstrated with eruptions from Mt Ruapehu. The natural mineral waters you in today, first reached the area as snow and rain, which over the years has percolated into the ground. It soon came into contact with the hot volcanic rock far below the surface and was eventually driven back up to the surface as hot thermal springs rich in minerals.

Click here to check out our backcountry soak in a volcanic stream on the north island called Kerosene Creek Hotsprings