Kerosene Creek
Natural Hot Pools
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Kerosene Creek
Natural Hot Pools - 35kms South or Rotorua
Kerosene Creek is a thermal hot spring with free access about 35kms south of Rotorua.
SECURITY NOTE - There have been a number of car break-ins at Kerosene Creek. If you have concerns, head to nearby Waikite Valley Thermal Pools and pay $12 with piece of mind!
Directions: Heading south from Rotorua on the road to Taupo (about 30km), pass the turn off to Murupara on your left, pass a lake on your right, then take the next left turn, just past a small bridge (only about 1/2 km from the Murupara turnoff). Stop 2.2km down the road and pull over to the grass verge on the right. Follow the path down a couple of hundred metres beside the stream to the pool itself.
Details
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Waiotapu |
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Thermal Pools
Nearby
Reviews
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1.5/5
Went to Kerosene Creek in on a rainy day in October in hope to find it less crowded.
Wasn’t too busy but still a lot of people. People who would wash themselves up stream obviously with normal soap, people who would sit in there brushing their teeth and spit, full diapers and other rub Bush left on the side of the stream. Decided not to take a bath.
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4.5/5
Amazing little spot with thermal water, just a bit polluted (people leaving beer bottles etc).
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4.5/5
Amazing spot just out of the city that is free for all to enjoy and easy to locate.
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5.0/5
Awesome creek off the highway between Rotorua and Taupo.
The creek is fed by geothermal pools so the water is hot! Also free!
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4.5/5
This place was other worldy!
I could not believe there was a completely natural flowing and hot spring that was completely free! Only downside = the road in was terrible!!
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4.5/5
Rough gravel road to get there but the setting of Kerosene Creek is totally worth it.
Great spot for a free hot bath.
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4.5/5
Road was very bumpy gravel, for a couple of kms from the highway.
But once you got there it was totally worth it! We had two preschoolers with us and it was as warm as bath water and not too deep and not fast-flowing. Lots of people, but we expected that. A great little stop! Highly recommended!
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5.0/5
Came here early.
Almost nobody in October. You can park at the end of the gravel road. You can also swim in the lake at the beginning of the road. At least 2 m deep.
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4.5/5
We didn't spend long here cause of all the warning we got about our car...
But the area is beautiful! First you see an emerald lake on your left, it's worth a little pit stop, then when you get there, there's a beautiful little waterfall but keep going a few metres to the bigger one. So lovely and warm, but I did notice some small red worms throughout the water... Not sure if there okay or not so I jumped out anyways haha. But definitely worth going to!
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4.0/5
Hot water pools in the nature, really relaxing.
Some more facilities would be good (one toilet and plenty of people).
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1.5/5
Went to Kerosene Creek in on a rainy day in October in hope to find it less crowded.
Wasn’t too busy but still a lot of people. People who would wash themselves up stream obviously with normal soap, people who would sit in there brushing their teeth and spit, full diapers and other rub Bush left on the side of the stream. Decided not to take a bath.
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4.5/5
Amazing little spot with thermal water, just a bit polluted (people leaving beer bottles etc).
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4.5/5
Amazing spot just out of the city that is free for all to enjoy and easy to locate.
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5.0/5
Awesome creek off the highway between Rotorua and Taupo.
The creek is fed by geothermal pools so the water is hot! Also free!
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4.5/5
This place was other worldy!
I could not believe there was a completely natural flowing and hot spring that was completely free! Only downside = the road in was terrible!!
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4.5/5
Rough gravel road to get there but the setting of Kerosene Creek is totally worth it.
Great spot for a free hot bath.
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4.5/5
Road was very bumpy gravel, for a couple of kms from the highway.
But once you got there it was totally worth it! We had two preschoolers with us and it was as warm as bath water and not too deep and not fast-flowing. Lots of people, but we expected that. A great little stop! Highly recommended!
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5.0/5
Came here early.
Almost nobody in October. You can park at the end of the gravel road. You can also swim in the lake at the beginning of the road. At least 2 m deep.
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4.5/5
We didn't spend long here cause of all the warning we got about our car...
But the area is beautiful! First you see an emerald lake on your left, it's worth a little pit stop, then when you get there, there's a beautiful little waterfall but keep going a few metres to the bigger one. So lovely and warm, but I did notice some small red worms throughout the water... Not sure if there okay or not so I jumped out anyways haha. But definitely worth going to!
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4.0/5
Hot water pools in the nature, really relaxing.
Some more facilities would be good (one toilet and plenty of people).
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5.0/5
Beautiful but stinky creek just out from Rotorua.
Good hot water pools for a rainy day.
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4.0/5
Kerosene Creek was a great place to try the hot pools out for free.
Long gravel road to get there which was a bit annoying. Pools were enjoyable but heed everyone else's warnings... You will get broken into!! We took all our our important items (passports, money, camera, etc) out of the camper and locked it but the rotten thieves broke the lock on the drivers side door and stole a toiletries bag of all things. Locals later told us they don't know why people go there because you are almost guaranteed to get broken into.
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5.0/5
Hot stream/pool with small waterfall!
Amazing especially during cold months.
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5.0/5
Best hot pools, totally free and wild.
In the middle of the forest with waterfalls that are a massage to your body.
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4.5/5
We really enjoyed Kerosene Creek.
It is a free hot spring that you do not have to walk far to, but do be aware it is very hot! It is a nice place as well.
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4.0/5
Nice hot springs on the way from Rotorua to Taupo.
Free and lots of room for people. Just make sure you lock your vehicle!
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5.0/5
Spectacular!
Nice, warm, beautiful, clean place. Put mud from the well on your body and relax!
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5.0/5
Absolutely amazing experience.
Thermal creek, small pools, beautiful nature. Free for all.
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4.0/5
Not exactly my cup of tea but the missus seemed to enjoy it.
The water had chunks of black goo in it even though the water seemed pretty clean. Expect a crowd, and a big one at that. We had to slither our way though a lot of people before finding a spot to cook in for a while.
Still a nice and unique experience.
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4.5/5
Amazing place and due to the weather was very quiet.
So nice and warm and refreshing.
There were blackberries in bushes surrounding creek which was cool also.
A great place for a picnic.
Oh and also TAKE OFF YOUR SILVER JEWELLERY due to sulphur it goes black and gross and then needs a lot of silver polish.
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4.5/5
A great place to enjoy a hot swim in this pool in the middle of a burning hot stream.
Access by the carpark or by a walking track starting more North on State Highway 5.
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4.5/5
Hot spring in the forest, great to take a walk and then regenerate in the flowing hot water.
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4.0/5
Natural hot springs, lovely little creek, very nice to chill out after a day walk.
