AKL Hot Springs

[legroom]

We plan to have a brief long weekend sampling the hot springs in Auckland or thereabouts.

Would appreciate any pointers on where to stay, where to have the better hot-spring experiences etc...

Arrive on EK F !

Thanks

 

[RB]

We visited the Coromandel area in 2010 as part of a motorhome holiday. Stayed at a caravan park about 15 minutes drive away from memory. Remember that the driving speeds are pretty slow over there- great drive from Auckland but very slow in that partcular area. Maybe this site will help When to Visit Hot Water Beach & Dig Your Own Hot Pool: The Coromandel
Had a great time digging & then sitting. Got the shovels from the convenience store up the end of the beach where we parked. Some spots the water & sand was too hot until you added some water from the surf. This photo was from Sept-not very crowded. Highly recommend the whole area, some good walks too

 

[legroom]

Thanks.

We are more into hotels / apartments rather than a motorhome but the idea of digging for your own hot water sit-in is interesting.

 

[boomy]

We went to a good Polynesian Spa in Rotorua last weekend. It has 5 outdoor thermal hot pools with different temperatures and minerals. The missus found a good deal include relaxation massage, it was very relaxing

 

[RB]

Thanks.

We are more into hotels / apartments rather than a motorhome but the idea of digging for your own hot water sit-in is interesting.

Yep quite a bit of that accommodation available in the area

 

[Deleted member]

Check out Waiwera Hot springs (as I recall thereis local accommodation nearby) on the Hibiscus coast (north of Auckland, and aneasy drive.
Back in the Day, my parents kept an "onsite Van" at the local Caravan (motor camp) park.
or go west young man and visit Helensville. it’sbeen eons since I was there and so cant vouch for the facilities

 

[stoneman]

Oh wow! Have great memories of Waiwera as a teenager, lol. :-D

 

[cambriamarsh]

Check out Waiwera Hot springs (as I recall thereis local accommodation nearby) on the Hibiscus coast (north of Auckland, and aneasy drive.
Back in the Day, my parents kept an "onsite Van" at the local Caravan (motor camp) park.
or go west young man and visit Helensville. it’sbeen eons since I was there and so cant vouch for the facilities

And don't forget Parakai near Helensville, very casual from what I remember and only an hour r so from Akl CBD

 

[legroom]

We visited the Coromandel area in 2010 as part of a motorhome holiday. Stayed at a caravan park about 15 minutes drive away from memory. Remember that the driving speeds are pretty slow over there- great drive from Auckland but very slow in that partcular area. Maybe this site will help When to Visit Hot Water Beach & Dig Your Own Hot Pool: The Coromandel
Had a great time digging & then sitting. Got the shovels from the convenience store up the end of the beach where we parked. Some spots the water & sand was too hot until you added some water from the surf. This photo was from Sept-not very crowded. Highly recommend the whole area, some good walks too

View attachment 42230

With this DIY hot springs, are there Council operated shower facilities nearby ?

Would be a mess otherwise !

I'd think so but would appreciate a pointer.

Also, Waiwera is said to be only 35 min from CBD. Would it be feasible / advisable to base in the CBD then ?

I'm still after some mod cons and fine dining after the hot spring experience.

 

[stoneman]

Try the Coromandel tourist bureau that'd be your best bet unless another add can confirm.

 

[stoneman]

Hahaha AFF :-D

 

[RB]

With this DIY hot springs, are there Council operated shower facilities nearby ?

Would be a mess otherwise !

I'd think so but would appreciate a pointer.

Also, Waiwera is said to be only 35 min from CBD. Would it be feasible / advisable to base in the CBD then ?

I'm still after some mod cons and fine dining after the hot spring experience.

I think I have misread you! The beautiful Coromandel area is a fantastic 175km scenic drive from Auckland. The "mess" is the same as any time you leave a beach anywhere in the world. TBH I don't recall where I washed down-maybe a tap where where we dropped the shovel back. Apparently 700,000 people a year go there & enjoy. We were with a very "particular" friend from " The Shire" in Sydney & she coped. . This link might help with the dining The Coromandel is famous for its fresh local flavours & seafood

 

[Deleted member]

With this DIY hot springs, are there Council operated shower facilities nearby ?

Would be a mess otherwise !

I'd think so but would appreciate a pointer.

Also, Waiwera is said to be only 35 min from CBD. Would it be feasible / advisable to base in the CBD then ?

I'm still after some mod cons and fine dining after the hot spring experience.

35 minutes is likely to be a bit generous depending on the day and time. Mind you being based in BNE these days it has been a while since I did the drive.
IMHO an overnight is the go, the water is hot to very hot , that can be sapping. I would prefer to kick back , relax, have a nice meal a few wines and fall into bed. ..... But that's me

 

[Sprucegoose]

We went to a good Polynesian Spa in Rotorua last weekend. It has 5 outdoor thermal hot pools with different temperatures and minerals. The missus found a good deal include relaxation massage, it was very relaxing

As a visitor you will pay considerably more than a local.

 

[boomy]

As a visitor you will pay considerably more than a local.

Really? I didn't know there are different tariffs for locals and foreigners. Anyway I think the missus found a special deal online.
When living in VIC I used to go quite often to the Peninsula Hot Springs during winter and never got any locals discount there

 

[cambriamarsh]

35 minutes is likely to be a bit generous depending on the day and time. Mind you being based in BNE these days it has been a while since I did the drive.
IMHO an overnight is the go, the water is hot to very hot , that can be sapping. I would prefer to kick back , relax, have a nice meal a few wines and fall into bed. ..... But that's me

35 mins to Waiwera is a bit light from the cbd but it's certainly practical to base in the city and drive or bus to Waiwera. Hot Water Beach is a good day trip, a little less than2 hours each way.

 

[Deleted member]

As a visitor you will pay considerably more than a local.

It's the same with Tamaki village. Not a spa, but a great night out. I thoroughly recommend it.

 

[Denali]

If you go to Rotorua, I recommend Hells Gate and the mud spa while you are at it.

I would avoid the digging a hole in the beach thing - for me, either my husband will finish the job and bury me there or PETA will try to push me back out into the ocean

 

[boomy]

It's the same with Tamaki village. Not a spa, but a great night out. I thoroughly recommend it.

Actually we've just been there last weekend (after the spa ) and I found it a bit boring. I think it's more suitable for families with kids and maybe large groups (the Americans seemed to love it) but wouldn't recommend it for a couple's night out.
We enjoyed much more the Luau in Hawaii.

 

[legroom]

In the end we drove 2.5 hrs from Auckland to The Lost Spring in Whitianga

Superb pools in idyllic surroundings

Topped by an hour of warm sea-shells massage where I fell asleep during the session !

Highly recommended spot