Wholly engulfed within the Pacific Basin's famed Ring of Fire, the small country of New Zealand is a geothermal hot spot. While it would be a mission to try to visit all of New Zealand’s 108 hot springs, a few are worth taking a side trip to visit. Particularly steamy areas are found near the center of the northern island close to Lake Taupo and Lake Rotorua, and on the south island between Nelson Lakes National Park and Arthur's Pass National Park.
Practically one giant hot pot of geothermal activity, New Zealand's northern island areas of Rotorua and Taupo are famous for their plethora of natural hot pools. Rotorua's Hell's Gate is considered an attraction in itself, where you can soak in the hot waters and cover yourself in mineral-rich muds while you take in the steamy scenery. One of Taupo's frequented spots, the AC Baths offers both indoor and outdoor hot springs. If you are after a less contrived soak, head near Rotorua to Kerosene Creek where the flowing water imitates a soft massage; or to Taupo's Otumuheke Stream where you can take advantage of the hot steam's cool water spots that pop up close to the Waikato River.
Although it's a relatively small town, Hanmer Springs is big on hot springs. On the south island, just 90 minutes from Christchurch, the entire town is known as a thermal hot spa with the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools offering 365 days -- and nights -- of therapeutic, steaming hot springs. Feel as refreshed as visitors did in the late 1800s as you relax in the hot waters surrounded by fresh mountain air.
Travelers with a limited time in New Zealand can avoid the side trip to thermal springs, and opt for a few hours soaking in Queenstown. This south island city is a frequented stop on many itineraries and is a convenient place to immerse yourself in hot springs. Onsen Hot Pools has the best of both worlds, offering indoor and outdoor pools. Queenstown rests along Lake Wakatipu with a stunning mountainous backdrop, lending to wide panoramic mountain views from outdoor pools.
For a more DIY experience, venture up toward Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula to Hot Water Beach. Moonlighting as a regular beach most of the time, those in-the-know come to wait for low tide. Adventurous bathers dig out their own hot springs in the sand and reap the soothing benefits as the hot springs beneath fill their crude handmade pools. This phenomenon can only be enjoyed during the two hours book-ending low tide, so do your research before heading out.
