Swimming in the first pool, under the waterfall.
Wairakei Terraces is one of our favourite places to visit when we are in Taupō. There’s nothing quite like soaking in a thermal pool – it leaves my mind and body feeling relaxed! Whenever I post about going for a swim there I always get lots of people asking about it, so I thought I should share a Wairakei Terraces review.
THE POOLS:
There are three thermal pools you can swim in, each of which has a different temperature. Pool one is medium temperatre, pool two is the coolest, and pool three is the hottest. I like to start in the coolest pool and then move to the medium temperature. We’ve been in the hottest pool but it’s a bit too warm for me to stay in for long and far too hot for Doug!
Pool one is by far the largest, spanning both sides of the footbridge that crosses over top. It has inbuilt bench seating along the sides of a lot of the pool, and a waterfall.
The thermal pools at Wairakei Terraces are surrounded by beautiful nature, pool one comes complete with a waterfall.
Looking across all three pools, with the silica terraces in the background.
Enjoying the cooler water from pool two flowing into pool one.
THE VIBE:
Access to the pool, pool area and changing rooms are for adults only (14 years and over). This means that Wairakei Terraces has a very different vibe to the family-friendly pools I’ve visited.
All the spaces I’ve visited have been fat friendly. There have always been lots of different sizes, ages and nationalities when I’ve visited. I’ve been there quite a few times and always found the other patrons very relaxed and friendly. Some people are keen to chat, and others all about the relaxing – all in all, it’s very chilled out. The staff are also friendly and helpful.
Check out my tips on how to be body confident when swimming here.
ACCESSIBILITY:
From the parking lot there is a small ramp up to the entrance, then a short walk past the cafe to the reception desk. The changing rooms are divided into men’s and women’s, and are an open space for changing with benches around the wall. The path down to the thermal pools is a gentle slope. Once you’ve reached the pools there is a ramp entrance with handrails into the first pool (medium temperature). There is a bridge that runs over the top of the first pool, and on the other side is another entrance to the first pool, with stairs and a handrail. Further up are pools two (coolest temperature) and three (hottest temperature), both are entered by stairs with a handrail.
A ramp into pool one provides an accessible entrance.
Absolutely living the dream, this is one of my favourite places in the world.
GETTING THERE AND PARKING:
Wairakei Terraces and Thermal Health Spa is located at 671 Wairakei Drive, Wairakei, Taupō. It’s on the northern outskirts of Taupō, not far from the intersection of SH1 and SH5. If you’re coming from town, it’s about 7.2km or 7 minutes drive from Countdown Taupō. There is a large flat parking lot outside the front entrance, with space for campervans available as well.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:
When I visit Wairakei Terraces and Thermal Health Spa it’s all about the pools for me, however they do have some other things you might be interested in! If you need some extra R&R, they have a spa that offers massages, facials and reflexology (definitely on my list of things to book in sometime). You can also visit the Wairakei Terraces Walkway. I’m yet to explore that so I can’t advise on accessibility etc.
PRICES:
Entry to the hot thermal pools (14 years and over) is $25.00 per person. We usually purchase a GrabOne voucher that will get you entry for $15.00 – love a bargain! Please visit the website for pricing info on spa treatments and the walkway.
Do you like soaking in thermal pools?
Let me know if you’ve visited Wairakei Terraces before!
I recently visited Wairakei terraces and it was sooooo peaceful and serene. You can also get tickets onsite at Book Me. I will make this a visit for sure each time I’m near Taupo.
Isn’t it so lovely there? I can’t wait for my next visit!
Looks heavenly. Living in UK I have been to Rotorua with its geysers, hot springs, thermal reserves and dodgy smell but dont recall anywhere for bathing
There are some great hot springs to swim in over in Rotorua as well! Polynesian Spa is one of my favourites 🙂
I have been here. I agree that it is the most relaxing place. When we were there, it was cloudy and there was a fine mist of rain so it made the place look quite mysterious, with the steam rising from the pools and the misty rain falling from the sky. I would totally recommend it.
Yes! I’ve been there when it’s been raining and misty too, and I really liked it. Such a mysterious secretive vibe!