Discover Kerosene Creek's Natural Hot Springs
Kerosene Creek, located near Waiotapu, is a captivating geothermal spot just a 20-minute drive from Rotorua. This creek, surrounded by native shrubs and exotic pine trees, provides a unique opportunity to enjoy a warm soak in a natural hot spring. The experience is both fun and free, making it a popular destination for relaxing in a natural setting.
Exploring the Creek and Waterfalls
From the car park, a short walk leads you directly to the creek, where you can step in for an immediate soak. Alternatively, you can follow a basic track to find other access points along the creek. Some of these spots require a mild scramble to reach.
The creek features two waterfalls; the first is small, while the second, more popular one, is about two metres high. This area tends to be crowded, especially during busy times, but there is ample space along the creek to find a peaceful spot.
Safety and Practical Considerations
The creek's brown, oily appearance is due to volcanic chemicals and grit in the water, but it's still safe for soaking. However, it is important to keep your head above water to avoid the risk of amoebic meningitis, a rare but serious condition. Be aware that theft from parked cars has been reported occasionally, so take precautions to secure your belongings.
How to Get to Kerosene Creek
To reach Kerosene Creek, drive east from Rotorua on State Highway 5 towards Maunga Kākaramea (Rainbow Mountain). Shortly after passing Maunga Kākaramea, look for a turnoff to the east onto Old Waiotapu Road. This road may be poorly signposted and is sometimes referred to as Waikaremoana Road on maps. From Rotorua, the drive is 27 km and takes 25 minutes.
The road is unsealed and rough, but the parking area for the creek is only about 1 km along the road. The only facility available at the site is a toilet.
While in the Rotorua area, you can also visit Government Gardens, Whakarewarewa Forest, the Redwood Memorial Grove and Lake Tarawera.
