I’ve been exploring the geothermal wonders of Kuirau Park
Kuirau Park is right in the heart of Rotorua, a short walk from the city centre, and it costs nothing to get in. For a free park, it’s heaps of fun. You’ve got steaming vents, boiling mud pools, a crater lake, hot springs, thermal foot baths, manicured gardens with native plants, and a playground. It’s the kind of place you wander around for half an hour and end up staying much longer.
I still can’t believe it’s free, considering what everything else in Rotorua costs.
Quick facts about this walk
| Location: | Corner of Ranolf Street and Pukuatua Street, Rotorua |
| Distance: | 2.2 km |
| Time: | 30 minutes |
| Difficulty: | Super easy |
| Elevation: | Flat walking |
| Track Quality: | Excellent with concrete paths most of the way |
| Mountain bikes?: | no |
| Wheelchair access?: | yes |
| Toilets: | There are toilets near the playground |
| Dogs: | Only on a lead or leash |
| Mobile coverage: | Yes |
| Public transport: | It’s right in town, just walk from your hotel |
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What’s in the Park
The walkways take you past the main geothermal features, all clearly signposted and safely fenced. The crater lake is the centrepiece, a steaming, hissing body of water that you can cross on a wooden walkway bridge. Note that as of 2026, this bridge has been reported closed at times, so it may or may not be accessible when you visit. Check before you go if that’s a highlight you’re counting on.
Around the park you’ll also find boiling mud pools, steam vents, and hot springs, all set in beautifully kept gardens with flower beds and native plants. The thermal foot baths are worth stopping at. There are two pools on one side of the big pond and a larger one on the other side. Your feet will thank you.
The park also has barbecues, picnic tables, a children’s playground, basketball courts, and toilets near the playground. It’s a genuinely good spot for a family afternoon.
Saturday Market
If you visit on a Saturday, the Rotorua Farmers Market runs in the park from 6am to 1pm. Food vendors, fresh produce, crafts. It’s a great reason to get there early and grab breakfast before you walk around.
A Note on Safety
This is an active geothermal park. New eruptions do occur from time to time. In 2001, mud and rocks the size of footballs were suddenly hurled into the air when a steam vent broke through the surface. Similar eruptions happened again in 2003, and the most recent recorded eruption was in 2006. All the hazardous areas are fenced, but stay on the paths and keep children close. The sulphur smell is noticeable throughout, especially near the active areas. You get used to it quickly, and frankly it’s part of the experience.
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Map location and track
My 3d video of the walk
See my photos of the Kuirau Park Loop Walk
Other Walks in Rotorua
- Rotorua Lakefront and Sulphur Point Loop Walk – another easy flat walk right in town, great views of Lake Rotorua
- Redwoods Grove Walk – a beautiful walk through the famous California redwood forest
- Rainbow Mountain Reserve Walk – more geothermal scenery with coloured lakes and great views
- Kerosene Creek Hot Pools Walk – free natural hot pools in a bush stream setting
- Lake Okaro Walk – a quiet loop around a small geothermal lake
- Okere Falls Walk – short walk to impressive falls on the Kaituna River
- Hamurana Springs Walk – crystal clear springs and giant redwoods, note fees now apply
- Rotorua Walks – full list of all walks in the Rotorua area
