Waimangu Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Waimangu's steaming landscape
Waimangu's steaming landscape
A nice view of the NZ geothermical activity.
In the Maori language Waimangu means "black water". The area was once the location of the most powerful geyser in the world; spewing black mud 460 metres (1,500 ft) into the air. While the geyser became extinct in 1904, this beautiful valley still bears the name Waimangu. The Waimangu Volcanic Valley is a 20 minute trip south from Rotorua that must not be missed.
The margins of Waimangu Stream from Frying Pan Lake to east of Inferno Crater are covered with delicate silica formations and colourful mineral deposits containing traces of arsenic, molybdenum, antimony, and tungsten, while the stream bed is home to blue-green algae and filamentous colonies of the photosynthetic bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus in a range of colours from bright green to orange. In the midst of this area is the picturesque Bird's Nest Terrace, a delicate silica terrace with the small volcano-shaped Bird's Nest Spring atop continuously erupting near boiling-hot water about 1 metre (3 ft) high.
Rydges Rotorua

Rydges Rotorua

4.5 out of 5
10 Tryon Street, Whakarewarewa Rotorua Bay of Plenty
The price is NZ$202 per night from 20 Jan to 21 Jan
NZ$202
20 Jan - 21 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,075 reviews)
Pool and hot tub area were so lovely and relaxing - pool is a perfect temperature The kids come is great addition with table tennis, video games etc

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

Rydges Rotorua
Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Millennium Hotel Rotorua

4.5 out of 5
1270 Hinemaru Street Rotorua
The price is NZ$275 per night from 16 Jan to 17 Jan
NZ$275
16 Jan - 17 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Amazing

Reviewed on 14 Jan 2026

Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Arawa Park Hotel

Arawa Park Hotel

4 out of 5
272 Fenton St Rotorua
The price is NZ$156 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
NZ$156
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,006 reviews)
Excellent location!

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2026

Arawa Park Hotel
See all 665 properties in Waimangu
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ramada Resort By Wyndham Rotorua Marama

Ramada Resort By Wyndham Rotorua Marama

4 out of 5
1420 Hamurana Road Mourea
Stay at this aparthotel in Mourea. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a marina. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions Okere ...
9/10 Wonderful! (582 reviews)
A relaxing location just outside of Rotorua. Family friendly with great facilities including board games, sports equipment and bike hire. Pricey during peak season but worth the money.

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2026

Ramada Resort By Wyndham Rotorua Marama
Quest Rotorua Central

Quest Rotorua Central

4 out of 5
1192 Hinemoa Street Rotorua
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,069 reviews)
There wasn't a balcony, but it was very handy to have a washing machine and dryer

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2026

Quest Rotorua Central
Ripple Rotorua

Ripple Rotorua

3.5 out of 5
4 Barnard Road Rotorua
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Rotorua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Skyline Rotorua and Rainbow ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (494 reviews)
Clean room staff friendly amenities all full

Reviewed on 15 Jan 2026

Ripple Rotorua
See all properties in Waimangu
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Waimangu Volcanic Valley featuring a hot spring

Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Shaped by the force of nature less than 150 years ago, this picturesque valley is rich in geothermic activity, rare plant life and challenging walking trails.

Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Te Rata Bay

Explore the great outdoors at Te Rata Bay, a lovely green space in Waimangu. Stroll along the lakeside or visit the spas in this family-friendly area.

Te Rata Bay

Activities

Cultural Performance

Cultural Performance

NZ$35
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Cultural Performance
Te Ra Guided Experience

Te Ra Guided Experience

NZ$100
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Te Ra Guided Experience
Rotorua Cultural Small Group Afternoon Tour

Rotorua Cultural Small Group Afternoon Tour

NZ$160
per adult
Rotorua Cultural Small Group Afternoon Tour
2 Hours Guided Redwoods Altitude Experience

Rotorua: Redwoods Altitude High Ropes Adventure

NZ$145
per adult
Rotorua: Redwoods Altitude High Ropes Adventure
Inferno Crater

Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

NZ$75
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
Rotorua: Secret Spot Hot Tubs

Rotorua: Secret Spot Hot Tubs

NZ$45
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Rotorua: Secret Spot Hot Tubs
See all activities in Waimangu

Cities near Waimangu

Rotorua which includes forest scenes as well as a small group of people

Waiotapu

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