Orakei Korako Cave & Thermal Park
Orakei Korako Cave & Thermal Park
Orakei Korako Cave & Thermal Park
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave is a stunning geothermal attraction located off the beaten track between Taupo and Rotorua. Described by the Lonely Planet Guide as "arguably the best geothermal area left in New Zealand", Orakei Korako brings you into a world of gushing geysers, bubbling mud pools, and some of the largest and most amazing silica terraces in the world.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
1,425 reviews
Excellent
999
Very good
350
Average
57
Poor
12
Terrible
7
Thetravellingkiwifam
4 contributions
Jan 2020
After reading the website we decided it would be a great day out for our adult family. We were aged from 27 to 81. It stated on the website it would be suitable for 3 to 80 year olds. Our 81 year old walks 4-6kms per day so is super fit for his age. However as there were alot of stairs it wasn’t really that suitable for him but he did get to see the very beginning. I think if you took a three year old you may also have a bit of trouble and need to do quite a bit of carrying. Besides this we had a really lovely day and enjoyed the drive in from Kinloch, watching the boats on the lake whilst having a cuppa on the deck 😊
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your lovely review! Yes, the steps can be a troublesome for some so we've put benches in to break up the longer stretches and allow you to take in the incredible views. It's obviously not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers but lots of families take their young children over with them and have told us how much they enjoyed it. We've also got baby backpacks for under twos available free of charge at the information centre.
We hope to see you again in the future!
Written 5 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Johan Louw
Hamilton, New Zealand31 contributions
Aug 2020
We used stayed overnight in our motorhome - they offer free parking to self-contained motorhomes if you booked to visit the thermal park. Fantastic views at night from the parking area. Everything well maintained. The public toilets were spotless and we enjoyed having lunch and coffee at the cafe. The thermal park trip was worth the money. As a a keen photographer I enjoyed hundreds of photo opportunities. Picturesque and peaceful. Will visit again.
Written 17 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your wonderful review, we are delighted to hear you enjoyed it! Yes, the changing views through sunset and sunrise are spectacular! When you visit next, enquire about our frequent visitors pass. It entitles you to a discount or free entry if you bring a paying guest. We look forward to seeing you again!
Written 24 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cpcog
Sydney, Australia1,348 contributions
Jul 2021
The entire area is outdoor so it is better to choose a sunny day to go if possible. you cannot enjoy the walk and scenery fully if it rains.
it is easy to find a parking place outside the reception building. Staffs were very nice to offer help and explanation before we bought the tickets.
Walk in is ok although you can also order the tickets online beforehand.
You need to take a short boat ride to the other side. It is very easy to demand the boat coming to picking you up.
The walk is pretty easy without steep slope or narrow path. There were some staircases but not hard to manage. So the walk is suitable for everyone.
The scenery is impressive for us. You can walk very close to cave, hot pools and the geothermal area. You can feel the warm air flowing to you from time to time. The mud pool is very interesting for us to see.
There is some smell but not strong or stinky.
The Elephant Rock really looks like elephant!
We spend about 1.5 hours totally.
It wasn't busy during our visit. Perhaps it was due to the uncertain weather.
The cafe is small without many choices so we didn't eat there.
The tickets are not cheap (without student tickets) but I think it is worth for us to explore a thermal area that is maintained well.
it is easy to find a parking place outside the reception building. Staffs were very nice to offer help and explanation before we bought the tickets.
Walk in is ok although you can also order the tickets online beforehand.
You need to take a short boat ride to the other side. It is very easy to demand the boat coming to picking you up.
The walk is pretty easy without steep slope or narrow path. There were some staircases but not hard to manage. So the walk is suitable for everyone.
The scenery is impressive for us. You can walk very close to cave, hot pools and the geothermal area. You can feel the warm air flowing to you from time to time. The mud pool is very interesting for us to see.
There is some smell but not strong or stinky.
The Elephant Rock really looks like elephant!
We spend about 1.5 hours totally.
It wasn't busy during our visit. Perhaps it was due to the uncertain weather.
The cafe is small without many choices so we didn't eat there.
The tickets are not cheap (without student tickets) but I think it is worth for us to explore a thermal area that is maintained well.
Written 4 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your wonderful review! Yes, if you're not prepared for a bit of rain you are best to go on a sunny day. However, when rain is falling the park transforms with more steam rising changing the vista pretty dramatically which is spectacular. Unfortunately the cafe is closed at present but we hope to reopen it when the schools break again.
Written 8 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Celeste
22 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
This place is out of the way so maybe not as touristy as some geothermal locations but well worth the trip. A boat ride across the lake, 2 hour self-guided walking trails that are well maintained, lots of places to stop and take photos or video of geysers, bubbling mud pools etc, then back to the center for a nice lunch outside on the deck. Perfect day!
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your wonderful review, we hope you've got some amazing photos from you trip! Yes, the deck outside the cafe is a lovely spot for lunch. The views across the Waikato river of the silica terraces are spectacular!
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Written 5 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marinus S
Auckland Central, New Zealand68 contributions
Jan 2020
To visit this wonder of nature is fascinating and it is beautiful. What really was upsetting is the way things are overpriced, for example, a small bottle of water is $5. This is a bit ridiculous and a blatant rip-off. They know you can't go anywhere else and will, therefore, be willing to pay whatever they charge. The entry fee is also very high for this attraction. To get a bit of a discount, book online.
The park is well maintained and a good experience.
The park is well maintained and a good experience.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review, we are delighted to hear you enjoyed it so much.
We are sorry to hear you found the prices of our drinks are high, they are set by the suppliers not us. Our visitors are encouraged to bring drinks with them and we are happy to fill any bottle you bring with water at the cafe free of charge.
We believe our prices are comparable with other geothermal park entry prices, particularly with the online discount, family passes and frequent visitor passes. With 23 active geysers (more than any other NZ park), the beautiful silica terraces, one of only two geothermal parks in the world and all the other geothermal activity you might expect of a park, we feel our prices are fair.
Written 20 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SedgeNZ
Wellington, New Zealand30 contributions
Jun 2020
The wonderland is definitely well worth a visit. Also loved how the family price allowed for more than 2 children. However, don't expect anything near even semi-decent food from the cafe. We arrived at midday and the only thing available were a 2 pies, 5 sausage rolls and half a dozen packets of chips. And the sausage rolls tasted like they had been in the pie warmer since before lockdown and then they wanted $5 for them. The cafe is a total embarassment.
Written 15 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review Sedge! We are very sorry that our cafe didn't meet your expectations, unfortunately having just come out of lockdown and suffering a huge hit to our profitability, our first priority was to get the attraction open to visitors. We decided to offer a small selection of food in the cafe to get people by, unfortunately we could not offer the normal full range because of economic circumstances. Please be assured that the food that is offered is provided for sale on the day only and certainly not from one day to the next.
We would like to thank all our visitors for their support at this difficult time, without you this very special place would not be able to operate.
Written 1 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KurtL
6 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
This place is certainly worth a visit it was by far our favourite place we have been in Taupo. From the time we pulled into the car park with the stunning view across the lake, to the short boat ride over and the views from the viewing platforms dotted around the park we enjoyed it all. Definitely not a place for push chairs but our toddler loved being carted around in a backpack carrier and our 6yo managed the stairs with ease. We stopped at one of the top lookouts for a mini picnic and got to see geysers going off while we ate. Once again we throughly enjoyed our time here and can't wait to visit again next time we are down that way.
Written 12 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your wonderful review, we are delighted to hear that you enjoyed it so much! yes, push chairs and wheelchairs can't navigate the park due to the steps that lead you up the side of the hill next to the silica terraces.
We look forward to seeing you again in the future.
Written 13 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ShonaMargaret
Auckland, New Zealand190 contributions
Apr 2021
We visited on a pristine perfect weather day. The short ferry ride across the lake towards the steaming slopes is a great start from which to wander the 2.5 km around the area. The track is mostly board walk and steps in excellent condition.. The geyser blew unprompted which was a bonus especially against the blue sky and with no wind. At the bubbling mud pools we insisted the children stop and listen to the gentle and eerie plop pop plop.
An easy walk. Not suitable for push chair or wheel chair .
There is plenty of safety information, but this walk would be improved with basic information on the area, why the colours are as they are, history, geology, geography etc . A chart of birds potentially seen etc. We did note that some trees /plants are named.
I recommend checking the weather forecast before the visit.
An easy walk. Not suitable for push chair or wheel chair .
There is plenty of safety information, but this walk would be improved with basic information on the area, why the colours are as they are, history, geology, geography etc . A chart of birds potentially seen etc. We did note that some trees /plants are named.
I recommend checking the weather forecast before the visit.
Written 4 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your lovely review! Yes, it's pretty special when a geyser goes off without warning. There are 23 active geysers in the park and they all go off to their own timetable. There is a fantastic book available in reception which details all the geothermal activity, much of which is also on our website. We have labelled much of the flora in the park as you noted. You raise an interesting thought about birds potentially seen, perhaps we should have that in the Visitor Centre?
We hope to see you again in the future!
Written 9 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Passenger332907
Auckland, New Zealand16 contributions
Jun 2020
We did not know about this geothermal attraction, despite traveling to Rotorua over the decades. Yet it’s spectacular! The silica terraces in particular are the best we’ve seen! Better than Yellowstone, which we’ve seen two years ago. We saw an Auckland Galley showing paintings of the pink and white terraces that were destroyed in the Tarawera eruption. These are the closest that there are to those. Magnificent! Then the colours of other terraces- multi-hues. Fabulous mud pools! The steaming cage was awesome also. Yes there are a lot of steps/stairs, and that would challenge small children or very elderly, but one of our party is a fit 71 years and had no issues . Beautiful lake setting for the island Geothermal area. Highly recommended.
Written 11 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your wonderful review. Yes, as many Kiwis are finding out, there is plenty to do in our own back yard! The silica terraces are the largest in New Zealand and we would certainly agree that they are magnificent, the geothermal cave is one of only two world wide. We hope to see you again in the future, perhaps with some other friends that haven't seen it; if you do speak to reception about the frequent visitors pass that allows free entry with a paying guest.
Written 14 June 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ade531
Napier, New Zealand14 contributions
May 2021 • Family
We were so impressed with this visit, we have 3 young girls 3-9 years old so needed somewhere they could manage getting round. The trip started off with a boat trip across the lake, then explore at our leisure. Walkways were all timber and well signposted, discrete barriers on the more active thermal areas. Kids loved seeing all the geological wonders up close.
Well worth a visit!
Well worth a visit!
Written 13 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your lovely review! Yes, many of our visitors have children and report that they really enjoy the visit. I think the boat trip helps with the fantastic views as you approach and sets the scene for the journey around the park. I think that the natural setting of Orakei Korako also helps a lot!
We hope to see you again in the future!
Written 20 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
OrakeiKorako
Taupo, New Zealand
Yes, we are open Christmas Day from 8am to 3pm and will be open 8am to 4.30pm all other days over Christmas and the New Year.
Written 3 December 2018
Is there a strong smell of sulphur,
Written 19 March 2018
Not as strong as Rotorua but yes there is a lingering smell. Something you can't escape at their geothermal parks.
Written 20 March 2018
Hi, it says that the last boat leave 4.30. What time is the last boat going back?
We will arrive at 4 and would love to go and see the gejsers.
Is it possible?
Written 19 January 2018
You will struggle to get around the park in 30mins. However they check the number of visitors entering the park and then again on the return boat journey. Best advise try to get there earlier if possible. A must see place. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Written 30 January 2018
Do you also offer a pickup return service from Taupo?
Written 27 September 2017
Hi I do not think this park offers picku-up return service from Taupo. My family went to Taupo in last June from Wellington by Intercity Bus. We do not drive. I also did research before we left but there are no any buses or shuttles taking us from Taupo central to this park. We found it is quite difficult to travel to the local attractions around Taupo area without having your own transport. Therefore we went to this park as part of the guided day tour with Alex from "Real Kiwi Tours (Taupo)" and had a very wonderful time. You might consider having the tour or just hire a car in Taupo.
Written 22 January 2018
I been there many time this very nice place to visit it
Written 4 August 2015
Hi! Is the road to the parking sealed? We're considering going, but travel in a rented campervan so aren't allowed to drive unsealed.
Written 17 June 2015
OrakeiKorako
Taupo, New Zealand
Hi! Yes, the road is sealed all the way so there is no problem with the issue of a rented vehicle. If you campervan is self-contained you are also welcome to camp up in the car park and enjoy the sunset and sunrise. Enjoy your travels!
Written 18 June 2015
Hi there, seems like worth the visit if it's known as a lesser crowd. May I know how much would it cost for the ferry trip?
Thanks.
Caroline
Written 9 February 2015
OrakeiKorako
Taupo, New Zealand
Kia ora Caroline, thank you for your question.
The admission prices include the short ferry trip across the lake from the Orakei Korako Visitor Centre to the geothermal attraction.
The ferry runs on demand each day from 8am, with the last trip to the valley at 4pm over the winter months and 4.30pm during Daylight Saving.
Please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any more questions.
Phone: +64 (0) 7 378 3131
Or visit or website for more contact details
Looking forward to seeing you soon
Kind regards
- Orakei Korako Team
Written 9 February 2015
I will be travelling alone to New Zealand in early April. I am planning to visit this place by public transport and as a day trip from Rotorua. Could you please advise me how to get there from Rotorua?
Written 7 February 2015
Hi Vicky
We visited by car, it's about 35 minutes from Rotarua ( slightly less from Lake Taupo). Not sure if there are any public transport options. I would think your best bet would be an organised day trip - there is a large tourist office in the Main Street of Rotarua (by the bus terminal), pretty sure they will have some trips which will include transportation.
It's definitely worth it.
Written 7 February 2015
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