Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
4.5
Full view
Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
By Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Recommended by 96% of travelers
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
Independent travelers interested in exploring Rotorua at your own pace—this is the one for you! Go on a self-guided adventure through Waimangu, and see its incredible geothermal highlights, such as Inferno Crater Lake, Lake Rotomahana, and Frying Pan Lake. No need to worry about missing out on guide commentary—you’ll receive a guide sheet that provides information about geothermal features, and native plant and animal life along the way.
from per adult
$28.22
from per adult
$28.22
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-90, max of 15 per group
Duration: 60–240 minutes
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
German, Chinese, Swedish, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, English, Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch
Highlights
- Set the pace of your Waimangu adventures with this self-guided tour
- Don’t miss out on any valuable information—a guide sheet is provided
- See incredible geothermal landmarks, including Inferno Crater Lake
- Enjoy the perk of a shuttle bus transfer back to the trailhead at the end of the hike
- Admission Fee for Self-Guided Walk
- Guide Sheet
- Internal Shuttle Bus
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entry/Admission - Waimangu Volcanic Valley
What's not included- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Food and drinks (available to purchase)
- Transport to/from attractions
- Departure details
- 587 Waimangu Road, Bay of Plenty 3073, New Zealand Come into the Waimangu Visitor Center and see our reception staff
Return details- Returns to original departure point
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 29182P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required. Passenger must provide their own carer.
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- How much is Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu?
- Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu price starts from $27.61. Discover and book Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu on Tripadvisor
- What is the Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu cancellation policy?
- Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu on Tripadvisor
- Which company provides Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu?
- Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu is hosted by Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Waimangu Volcanic Valley on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu on Tripadvisor
- How much time do I need for Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu?
- On average, this experience will take approximately 1h. Discover and book Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu on Tripadvisor
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 29182P1
Itinerary
- You'll start at587 Waimangu Road587 Waimangu Road, Bay of Plenty 3073, New ZealandCome into the Waimangu Visitor Center and see our reception staffSee address & details
- 1Waimangu Volcanic ValleyStop: 2 hours - Admission includedCheck in at the Waimangu Volcanic Valley and pick up your Wanderer Guide. You may also like to download the free Waimangu App. Then follow the walking trails through the valley at your own pace. There are a number of different options to take depending on how much time and energy you have. Marvel at the stunning geothermal attractions as you learn about the history and legacy of the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the Tarawera eruption and the now hidden Pink and White Terraces.Read more
- You'll return to the starting point
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator.
Jeff H
00Stunning , interesting and fun
Had a great tour of this place. Really enjoyable, educational and stunning scenery and mother nature doing her thin…
Max G
00Good Way to See the Volcanic Valley
On this tour we learned about the volcanic valley that defined Rotorua. The tour consisted of a cruise around the …
309gloriap
00Beautiful Walk
We loved this thermal area as it wasn’t too crowded and involved a 4km walk through the thermals and forest. The on…
Warrens_of_Conder
00Worth a visit
Enjoyed our visit, lots of thermal activity and variety as you wander around. Make sure to fill your drink bottle p…
573hilaryr
00Very interesting geothermal landscape
A walk into an alien landscape with hot water lakes steaming and amazing vegetation surviving in a harsh acidic env…
sarahmX3142MD
00Loved walking the trail and the boat tour. Fantastic day out.
20 mins from Rotorua, this is a fascinating way to learn about the local geothermal features of the area. We did b…
Ria v
00The Vulcan Valley we can advice to go
What an amazing Nature is here ,all the vulcans and the colours are so beautifull . We made a walk till the lake s…
Courtney W
00Informative walk through geothermal area
Waimangu Volcanic Valley contains many thermal features, including a giant hot spring, hot creeks, warm rocks, and …
LGarand22
00Informative and very cool to see
We did the walking tour up to the penultimate bus stop. We got to see a couple of small geysers and plenty of steam…
JoanieM620
00Great walk, great guide
We had a guided tour of the geothermal valley. I appreciated the information the guide provided. The views and hi…
tylertraveler2015
00Worth the little trip outside Rotorua
Two hour hike through the beautiful wooded geothermal valley followed by a fun boat ride across the lake. In spite…
Cynthia V
00Amazing area
The hiking path is well marked and easy. The hot springs and pools are amazing. The beautiful foliage adds to the…
girlfromnz
00Outstanding Family Fun!
We had the most wonderful day here - two adults and two kids (8 & 11) and we loved this outing. We bought the walk …
justinwontrips
00Good views
Stare with wonder at these awesome craters and pools as you journey through the Volcanic Valley! It has the hottest…
joantym
00Amazing trail to explore
The first part of the trail is good! It's an easy walk. Do take the boat ride as it will definitely be a good finis…
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
131 reviews
Excellent
105
Very good
21
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Nikkiloolah
Brisbane, Australia208 contributions
Unfortunately the day we had booked this tour turned out to be overcast and rainy, but it didn't deter from our enjoyment of such an interesting natural attraction. The walk down to the lake is well signed with information boards along the path and we took our time checking out the geysers and bubbling pools of thermal water.
We really enjoyed the boat trip on the lake and the skipper gave an interesting and informative commentary to explain the various places we passed.
We really enjoyed the boat trip on the lake and the skipper gave an interesting and informative commentary to explain the various places we passed.
Written March 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
saltyskin
22 contributions
What a fantastic experience!! One of the best things to do in Rotorua we think! This was the second time we visited Waimangu Valley and it didn’t disappoint! We did the Full Waimangu Experience, beginning with an awesome bushwalk, hiking trail through the natural geothermal ecosystem, hot pools and boiling lakes, it’s really a magical site. Then we hoped aboard Ariki Moana for the Lake Rotomahana cruise with commentary as we went. It really is a great thing to do, for all ages! Loved it! From the beginning Casey kept things nice and simple, at Pat, our skipper was awesome!
Written March 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ClockworkNellie
Essex, UK271 contributions
Feb 2023
This is a great walk and definitely worth doing with all the geysers here! Is it worth the $44 each - yes we think so. I did this trip with my wife and we loved it. I won't post photos as there are so many others, but I will post a few bits of info/tips:-
1. Parking is easy - either in the small car park or just outside on the road.
2. You can pay on the day as doesn't normally get over-full.
3. You don't need walking boots. Trainers are fine but boots also if you do have them.
4. There are toilets and they sell water in the shop. I recommend taking at least a litre of water but 1.5 even better. There are no water fill-up points on the route. There are toilets at the end.
5. Whole think not including hike takes just under 2 hours for most people including stopping and taking many photos and videos!! The hike adds on an extra 45 minutes but if you do the hike, walk to viewing point 22 then walk back couple of hundred metres and do it so you don't miss out on some great bits to see down the bottom.
6. There are buses back half-way if you want just a 2km walk or at the end.
7. You can decide whether you want to do the boat tour at the end when you get to it so just see how you go if it's not crazy busy. We didn't do the boat tour.
8. Sub block of course.
Enjoy.
1. Parking is easy - either in the small car park or just outside on the road.
2. You can pay on the day as doesn't normally get over-full.
3. You don't need walking boots. Trainers are fine but boots also if you do have them.
4. There are toilets and they sell water in the shop. I recommend taking at least a litre of water but 1.5 even better. There are no water fill-up points on the route. There are toilets at the end.
5. Whole think not including hike takes just under 2 hours for most people including stopping and taking many photos and videos!! The hike adds on an extra 45 minutes but if you do the hike, walk to viewing point 22 then walk back couple of hundred metres and do it so you don't miss out on some great bits to see down the bottom.
6. There are buses back half-way if you want just a 2km walk or at the end.
7. You can decide whether you want to do the boat tour at the end when you get to it so just see how you go if it's not crazy busy. We didn't do the boat tour.
8. Sub block of course.
Enjoy.
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mike Brady
Auckland, New Zealand2 contributions
Apr 2022
This is a very beautiful and rugged part of New Zealand. This area has a diverse range of geothermal activity, which is very easily viewed with few impediments.
Take your camera and enjoy spending some quality time in this amazing area.
Take your camera and enjoy spending some quality time in this amazing area.
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jenny G
15 contributions
We did this walk on one of the wettest days Rotorua has ever seen. Undeterred we done our waterproofs and set off.
The walk would normally take about 2 hours but due to the weather there was little point in lingering to look at the views.
The geothermal springs were fascinating and in the gloom the steam coming off them even more impressive.
In the end the walk took us about an hour. We decided not to do the boat trip due to the weather so caught the bus back up to the start.
Even in the rain this was a good walk and I am sure that on brighter days it would be even better
The walk would normally take about 2 hours but due to the weather there was little point in lingering to look at the views.
The geothermal springs were fascinating and in the gloom the steam coming off them even more impressive.
In the end the walk took us about an hour. We decided not to do the boat trip due to the weather so caught the bus back up to the start.
Even in the rain this was a good walk and I am sure that on brighter days it would be even better
Written January 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rutland
Rutland, UK104 contributions
Good day out. Great value for money.
The walk is well signposted, suitable for all ages, good walking tracks.
The boat trip is fantastic. Really good - to sail into the crater of an active volcano is a proper life experience moment.
We had a slight issue that Waimangu had not received our booking from BookMe. Not Waimangu’s fault. They dealt with the issue *superbly* - fantastic customer service. They were honest, explained, made suggestion on how to deal with the issue and even threw in a bit of a freebie. Well done Waimangu and I can’t fault your handling of this at all.
The walk is well signposted, suitable for all ages, good walking tracks.
The boat trip is fantastic. Really good - to sail into the crater of an active volcano is a proper life experience moment.
We had a slight issue that Waimangu had not received our booking from BookMe. Not Waimangu’s fault. They dealt with the issue *superbly* - fantastic customer service. They were honest, explained, made suggestion on how to deal with the issue and even threw in a bit of a freebie. Well done Waimangu and I can’t fault your handling of this at all.
Written January 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cathy P
Wainuiomata, New Zealand65 contributions
Jan 2023
Amazing 4km self guided walk through the valley. We was lucky that there was activity in the pool a few weeks prior to us visiting. This makes the pool a bright blue colour. We were told this lasts roughly a month. The steam coming from the lake and the rocks made it quite eerie. We opted for the boat trip at the end of the walk - This was a bit disappointing - The Pink and White Terraces are 60m below the water so it was just a trip 50mins around the lake. There is a frequent bus service that takes you back to the start
Written January 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ianlanceley
Faversham, UK99 contributions
This is an excellent place to visit. The views of the volcanic valley are tremendous. We included the boat trip and it was more than worth the money - the very personable pilot was full of interesting information and we got to see hot springs and geysers up close in a way that would be impossible in any other way
Written January 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Katy K
Buford, GA46 contributions
Dec 2022
Amazing to walk around this geothermal landscape! It was a beautiful day to hike this area and learn about the different areas. A lovely day to do the boat tour across the lake as well. Definitely check it out while in Rotorua!
Written January 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SHBBB
Cape Town Central, South Africa417 contributions
After the frustration at Te Puia where we could not enter anymore unless going on an overpriced guided tour that only leaves a few times a day we found this place by coincidence on the drive to Taupo.
The friendly staff at the entrance explained the sights in the park and recommended visiting the sight with the blue lake (number 18 on the map). We took an easy downhill stroll along the thermal rivers, pools and thru lush forests to reach the said lake. After a 2 minute walk up the steps we found this very nice blue lake. We could enjoy the beauty of the thermal landscape in peace as there were not that many tourists.
We continued for a bit further along the track and then opted to take the free bus back up the hill to the visitor Centre.
A very nice excursion between Rotorua and Taupo.
The friendly staff at the entrance explained the sights in the park and recommended visiting the sight with the blue lake (number 18 on the map). We took an easy downhill stroll along the thermal rivers, pools and thru lush forests to reach the said lake. After a 2 minute walk up the steps we found this very nice blue lake. We could enjoy the beauty of the thermal landscape in peace as there were not that many tourists.
We continued for a bit further along the track and then opted to take the free bus back up the hill to the visitor Centre.
A very nice excursion between Rotorua and Taupo.
Written January 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kittylovesdunc
Napier, New Zealand24 contributions
Hello. Are dogs allowed on the hike & boat? We have a well behaved one and always take away anything she deposits.
Dawneen
Beloit, WI195 contributions
We didn't see any dogs and didn't pay attention if there were signs saying no dogs. You may want to try emailing your question. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Laura sørensen
1 contribution
How long does the self guided walk approximately take?
JAM2501
Sydney, Australia70 contributions
Hi, it is supposed to take 1hr45mins from the top where the walk begins down to the lake, at bus stop 3. It took us 2 hours from the top to bus stop 2 which is only about 15 mins before the last stop. We did it at a really leisurely pace as there was so much to see.
The good thing is that you walk all the way to the bottom and get the free shuttle bus back to the top (you can walk if you want).
It really was worth doing.
