Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Free admission
Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rotorua, North Island

The Basics

The 1- to 2.5-mile (1.5- to 4-kilometer) pathway takes visitors on an easy 45-minute walk past thermal pools, geysers, fumaroles, and fissures to the lake edge. Complimentary shuttles offer rides between stops. Avid hikers can split off on the Mt. Hazard trail to get better views of the valley and gaze down on the lakes, radiant in turquoise and greens. One lake provides one of the best activities in the valley: a cruise on Lake Rotomahana. This naturally formed lake, once home to the Pink and White Terraces, covers 15 separate craters and is a haven for endangered birds.

A guided tour of the Waimangu Volcanic Valley provides more insight into how this exceptionally young landscape transforms by the day. Some tours include the option to explore Wai-O-Tapu, the Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village, Huka Falls, or the Hobbiton Movie Set. A seaplane flight offers otherworldly views from above.

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Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
US$28.22 per adult
Traveler Favorite
great
the weather was great just the right time of year for the vents steam to be seen in full activity the walk was so peaceful
Carol_D, Sep 2023

Recent reviews from experiences in Rotorua

Absolutely loved this walk!
star-5
Absolutely loved this walk!
Hannah_C, Jun 2023
Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
Absolutely loved this walk! The scenery on this walk was unlike anything I'd every come across before! It was stunning! I found the information provided very insightful and interesting to learn about the history and geography of the surrounding areas. The boat trip was also fabulous with stunning views across the lake!
Amazing!
star-5
Amazing!
Gina_L, Apr 2023
Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
It was an easy walk but there were so many amazing things to see! This has been our best vacation experience so far, well worth the money.
A beautiful walk in Waimangu volcanic valley
star-5
A beautiful walk in Waimangu volcanic valley
MaraElena_R, Mar 2023
Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
A magnificent self-guided walk to learn more about the history of the place and enjoy those wonderful landscapes so characteristic of the area. Without a doubt totally recommended.
A highlight. Not to be missed
star-5
A highlight. Not to be missed
Geoffrey_C, Dec 2022
Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
The valley offered one of the most spectacular and memorable walks we've taken. The paper guide for the walk was very informative. Our lake cruise was excellent with descriptions given by the skipper. Café staff were helpful. Sandwiches were tasty and the coffee was good.
Lovely morning walk
star-5
Lovely morning walk
amylaurencunningham, Nov 2022
Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
I had never been to a place like this before - it was like being in another world, like Jurassic Park. The bus back up the hill at the end was a perk too!
Fabulous
star-5
Fabulous
BichThuy_D, Oct 2022
Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
A fantastic place to go. I did Wai-o-Tapu and Waimangu on the same day, and in my opinion Waimangu takes the win by far. The sights along the valley are simply breathtaking and I could just spend hours looking at the craters and pools (especially the Emerald lake). It helped that the weather was perfect. The landscapes there are fabulous, the trail is very easy to walk and you have options for more difficult hikes if you want. A must do (and pray that the weather is good!)
Waimangu was awesome!
star-5
Waimangu was awesome!
Shannae_C, Oct 2022
Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
Waimangu was an amazing experience to see all of the volcanic activity thats happening right now and reading about the history. Would definitely recommend this walk for anyone
Visit not to be missed
star-5
Visit not to be missed
Tina_W, Jun 2021
Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
Definitely worth the visit Morning is best when the weather is cold A lot more visible steam rising Easy walk down and the benefit of getting the bus back up
New Zealands walk of Gems
star-4
New Zealands walk of Gems
BryanColeman, Jan 2021
Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu
The walk had lakes and pools that I never knew existed even though we spent a lot of time in Rotarua in the past. These hidden gems added to the spectacular views and with children with us we were worried they might not want to walk the full track. How wrong we were, they were amazed and they all enjoyed the day. Luckily we asked about the boat cruise because even though we booked the boat we were turned down when we arrived. When we got back from the walk on the bus I mentioned that the boat was running again and we were quickly put back on the bus and made the final cruise of the day. All up a great experience for the young and old in our group of six.
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Things to Know Before You Go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes; some of the terrain is uneven and requires going up or down steps.

  • Wheelchair access is available along flat areas of the walkway, but the Inferno Crater and the Mt. Haszard hiking trail are not suitable for wheelchairs.

  • Lightweight, fold-up wheelchairs and strollers can board shuttle buses and the Lake Rotomahana boat.

  • Book early for boat tours during peak season (November to March).

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How to Get There

The Waimangu Volcanic Valley sits 25 minutes from downtown Rotorua at 587 Waimangu Road, just off State Highway 5. It’s a fascinating journey along the Thermal Highway, with round-trip transport from central Rotorua provided by most tour operators. Many vehicles stop for photo ops at Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake) en route. There is also shuttle bus service from Rotorua to Waimangu.

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Trip ideas

Top Hot Springs in Rotorua

Top Hot Springs in Rotorua


When to Get There

This natural attraction is open daily 8:30am to 5pm (until 6pm in January), with the last admission at 3:30pm. Be sure to arrive by afternoon if you plan to take a lake cruise or hike, and allow at least 1.5 hours for your visit. Boat tours run 45 minutes, with six scheduled departures daily.

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Mt. Tarawera’s Eruption

When Mt. Tarawera erupted in 1886, it forever changed the Rotorua landscape into a valley of steaming wonder. Though New Zealand’s indigenous Maori made use of these hot spots for centuries, the geothermal activity here grew 20 times larger once the Tarawera eruption was complete. Visitors can learn more at the Buried Village of Te Wairoa, a former Maori village established by missionaries and destroyed in the blast.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to Waimangu Volcanic Valley?
Q:
What else should I know about attractions in Rotorua?
A:
As well as visiting the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit: