C
Family fun in the mud!
Fun experience with the family, just a little expensive for the length of the activity. But definitely worth it!
Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas
+4 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Price from
- $52 / person
- Location
- Rotorua, New Zealand
- Rating
- 4.4 / 5 · 551 reviews
- Languages
- CMN, JA, EN, FR
- Group
- Small group, up to 15
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Hells Gate Geothermal Reserve and Mud Spa
- Meeting point
- Hell's Gate is located just outside of Rotorua's city centre. From the city simply travel east on State Highway 30. At approximately 5 minutes past the airport, you will turn right towards Whakatane. Hell's Gate is 3kms down this road.
Description
Experience the rejuvenating powers of the world-famous mud bath & sulphur spas at Hell’s Gate. Used by local Maori for over 800 years, open and clean your skin by lathering it in the unique mud, before exfoliating and cleansing with a soak in the sulphur spa. While you relax, take the opportunity to admire the geothermal reserve. Your body and soul will feel revitalized after this soothing experience.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 14 times a day, 10:00 AM–4:30 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 16+)
- $52
- Child (ages 5–15)
- $26
- Infant (ages 0–4)
- Free
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
What's included
Included
Bathe in Mud Bath & Sulphur Spas
Not included
Food and drinks
Swimwear and Towels available to hire onsite
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.4
551 reviews
How it compares in Rotorua
- No. 12 by number of reviews among 123 tours in Rotorua
- Starting price $52 is 17% below the typical $63 for tours of similar length in Rotorua
Excurgo comparison of 123 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Operating days and hours may vary, please see the Hell’s Gate website for latest updates and last entrance times.
- We recommend that women do not use our bathing facilities whilst pregnant. However, it is an individual’s choice and we recommend that you seek advice from your health professional if you are wanting to bathe.
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- The minimum age for the Mud Bath is 2.5 years, and for the Sulphur Spa is 6 months.
- Children are considered those aged 5 -15. Under 4s are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas take?
Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas lasts about 1 hour.
How much does Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas cost?
Prices start at $52 per person for this Rotorua experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 14 departures a day between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
How much does Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas cost for children?
Children aged 5–15 pay from $26, adults from $52. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Hell's Gate is located just outside of Rotorua's city centre. From the city simply travel east on State Highway 30. At approximately 5 minutes past the airport, you will turn right towards Whakatane. Hell's Gate is 3kms down this road. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas offered in?
The experience is available in CMN, JA, EN, FR.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children are considered those aged 5 -15. Under 4s are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(551)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
N
Nice experience
Nice experience to do ! Staff were pretty cool. Many thanks to them !
P
Haitana-Tau Family Holiday 2026
Thoroughly enjoyed the unique mud spa experience. Very impressed with all the hosting staff, their guidance and pleasant attentiveness made the experience incredibly enjoyable. I highly reccomend Hells Gate Mud and Spa
F
Hell’s Gate experience
We enjoyed the guided geothermal reserve tour and mud bath and spas. Our tour guide, AJ was absolutely wonderful, engaging, knowledgeable and funny!
Operator response
Kia Ora Flyer10460012608 Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted you enjoyed the geothermal tour, mud bath and spas. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to AJ, it’s wonderful to hear he made your experience so enjoyable! Ngā mihi, The Hell's Gate Team
W
Mud pools
Such a relaxing afternoon smearing mud all over ourselves!
Operator response
Kia Ora WendytT8122PP Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you had a relaxing afternoon getting covered in mud. We hope to welcome you back for more mud and relaxation soon! Ngā mihi, The Hell's Gate Team
B
Relaxing time.
You go in and check in for the mud bath, no more than 20minutes, cake urself in mud and relax.then you go into Sulphur pool after showering to get the mud off. For myself I got really burning eyes in the Sulphur pool but I have really sensitive eyes. My husband didn't get any issues.
D
Messy and magnificent
In the package that we had, we had probably an hour to an hour and a half very gentle walk around the geothermal sites. Our guides were exceedingly knowledgeable and educated us well on both plant and thermal information as well as Māori culture. We felt we learned more about Maori culture here than at the more formal Māori village site.
W
Great
Mud pools are a special experience. The thermal walk is interesting but quite small in length, a little overpriced.
Operator response
Kia Ora W2426DJteresat Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re pleased you enjoyed the unique mud pools and found the thermal walk interesting. We also appreciate your comments regarding the length and value of the experience, and will keep this feedback in mind. Ngā mihi, The Hell's Gate Team
T
Exceptional services
That was a rainy day and it was quite cold, I already booked but do not take a mud bath, when I was at reception desk and waited for free shuttle bus, the staff know the situation and offered a full refund ^^ WOW. Exceptional services!!! Plus, the signature drink with honey in rainy day make your day warmer in rainy day. Cheers.
Operator response
Kia Ora Thinhsg50 Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re glad our team could help make a rainy day a little better and that you enjoyed the honey drink. We really appreciate your kind words about our service and hope to welcome you back on a sunnier day! Ngā mihi, The Hell's Gate Team
G
Bubble and squeak.
Outstanding work by Liam. Great guide giving a fantastic insight into geothermals and Māori culture. Such a an amazing place. Go with a guide and you will be rewarded.
Operator response
Kia Ora Grifology70 Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased to hear Liam provided such an informative and enjoyable experience, sharing insights into geothermal activity and Māori culture. Ngā mihi, The Hell's Gate Team
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas | 1 hour | 4.4 (551) | $52 | |
 Hell's Gate Geothermal Walk, Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa Experience | 1h 30min | — | $38 | View |
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from$52
4.4(551) Free cancellation