A friend of mine took me to Ngawha Hot Springs (pronounced “Nafa”) yesterday. It is a natural hot pool that the Maoris really like and is supposed to be good for skin and soul.
To get there you have to follow State Highway Number 1 (it is THE main highway in New Zealand) up north in direction of Cape Reinga, pass Kawakawa – where they have a cool Hundertwasser toilet right next to the road – and eventually you have to turn left onto State Highway 12 towards Kaikohe. The springs are on Ngawha Springs Road, just before you reach Kaikohe. I think there were enough signs pointing you to Ngawha Springs so you shouldn’t miss it. From Whangarei the drive takes approx. 1.25 hours.
There’s plenty of parking spots by the springs, which are called “Healing Waters” and it’s quite funny because even the mud puddles in the parking are bubbling. The entrance fee to the Springs is $40 for adults and $20 for kids under 18, for a two-hour session (prices checked in September 2026). There are cheaper rates for seniors and for Mid North and Northland residents – find the full entrance fee list here. Booking online in advance is a good idea, especially on weekends.
You have the choice between two areas. The main public springs, Ngā Waiariki, have 16 geothermal pools and are open Wednesday to Sunday from 7am to 9pm. Ngā Puna, with eight pools a little further along, opens on Mondays and Tuesdays from 7am to 2pm, and you can also book it for a private experience.
Every pool has a different temperature and the temperatures also vary every day. Usually, there is a sign by the entrance telling you how hot each pool is. Some can be 45 degrees Celsius and hotter so make sure you don’t just jump in (they are also not very deep)!
Be warned – the pools can be really hot in summer! Boz23 on Twitter recommends visiting in the winter months rather.
Once you’ve found the perfect pool for you just sit down on the wooden boards and relax 🙂
I also found this article about Ngawha Springs, which actually dates back to 1937!!!
It was published in the New Zealand Railway Magazine and tells you all about the pools, their healing powers and what significance they have to the Maori.
A few more things to keep in mind when visiting the Ngawha Springs
1. Since the rebuild there are proper changing rooms. If you forgot your towel, you can hire one at the front desk for $10.
2. Bring as little as possible and keep an eye on your stuff! We “lost” a towel which probably someone took by accident.
3. The stinky smell of rotten eggs that comes from all the sulphur can take a while to get used to. Worse is, however, that it stays in your clothes for days and days – probably even forever in your swim suit so don’t wear your favorites!
4. There is now a teahouse, the Whare Tii, for a snack and a cuppa, but still bring your own drinking water. You will need it in the heat!
5. Don’t wear any jewelry! It will turn black from the sulphur, especially if it’s silver.
The Ngawha springs reopened in April 2021 after a year-long, $4.3 million redevelopment, including: improved facilities, a flood wall, improved infrastructure (including drainage, the pumping and cleaning systems and parking area), restoration and repair of the pools surrounds (fixing the wobbly rails, dodgy steps and holes in the floors), new shelters and pathways and updated operating system‘s and improved health and safety practices. Read more about the updates and reasons for the price increases here.
