Find Yourself Getting into Hot Water
at Te Aroha New Zealand

Deciding what to do first will be your toughest decision when you visit Te Aroha New Zealand, situated in the between Auckland, Tauranga, and Rotorua on the New Zealand map. The spa town’s rich history and attractions make it hard to choose from among hot water springs, geysers, spa baths, bushwalking, mountain biking, glow worm caves, trails, antiques, arts, crafts, gardens, museums, monuments and guided tours.

The area”s gold mining past can be explored at Tui Mines, an abandoned gold, silver and lead mine site accessible on one of the extensive Wairongomai Valley tracks surrounding old tram lines. But that’s just the first of golden tourist opportunities.

Many New Zealand Tracks and Trails adventures abound. Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park offers short walks and other outdoor activities. Te Aroha Mountain walk is a steep, rough climb that yields a 360° panorama on the range’s summit. Howarth Memorial Wetland Loop Walk provides an easier traverse through wildlife refuge for all fitness levels. Mountain Bike Track, with varying levels of difficulty, is rated as one of NZ’s best.

The Heritage Trail lends an orientation of 23 historic buildings and sites of interest dating back to the 1880’s. Cadman House Museum houses the southern hemisphere’s oldest pipe organ, the Queen Ann, built in 1712. Art lovers can view landscape paintings at the Shirley A. Thomas Art Gallery.

This is the perfect place to get yourself into hot water. The town has 22 natural springs, and 15 of them are hot. The most notable landmark is Mokena Geyser, which gushes every 40 minutes against a forested backdrop. An ornate drinking fountain offers samples direct from the geyser’s source.

The world’s only natural flowing hot mineral soda spa bath, soothing tourists since 1883, is found at Te Aroha Soda Mineral Pools. Late Victorian and Edwardian European style spas and formal gardens characterize the Hot Springs Domain.

Mokena Spa Baths feature top private mineral water bathing facilities with sulfur-free, crystal clear water. Thermal soda spring waters flow at the last of original 19th century bathhouses in use today and are popular for relieving skin conditions, arthritis, and rheumatism.

Cadman Bath house, built in 1898, is the only complete Edwardian Domain in New Zealand. The Domain’s Band Rotunda was erected at the same time. A Maori legend named this area “the town with a mountain of love.” In keeping with the designation, it’s been the site of wedding ceremonies since the late 1800’s.

Other New Zealand outdoor activities await at Te Aroha. Waihou River, a key means of transport in gold mining days, is now the only place in New Zealand where trout can be taken with bait fishing. Jet boat rides are also popular on the river. Garden and farm tours can be arranged, but you’ll only catch the town’s famed floral festival held every two years. Not to be missed are Te Aroha Glow Worm Caves, a unique NZ experience.

Te Aroha YHA is a cozy cottage hostel choice at which to base your stay. Of course there are many hotels, motels, and backpacker accommodations in the immediate area or further out, such as Auckland.

Great dining awaits at Grand Tavern Hotel on Whitaker Street, complete with sports bar, karaoke, and pool tables. A popular café bar on the same street is Ironique, featuring innovative cuisine in rustic iron and recycled timber surroundings.

One thing for sure, you can’t go wrong with the many choices that await in this spa town location. It’s a real golden New Zealand vacation destination.