This is a must do if you reach Rotorua! A unique geothermal experience with erupting waters, steaming fumaroles, boiling muds.

Named by the maori tribes that used to populate the area “Tikitere”, the place got it’s more popular name “Hell’s Gate” after the 1934 visit of the famous Irish writer George Bernard Shaw. When he saw the desolated land he said that it made him think about the gateway to hell – and the name remained ever since. The hot springs were considered sacred by the maoris, and they used the different pools as an efficient therapeutic treatment.

Among the more specials features of the area there is an active mud volcano that erupts every 2-3 days and the largest natural hot water waterfall in the southern hemisphere – Kakaki Falls.

We’ve visited the Reserve and then relaxed in a small private mud pool and in other several sulphur spas! Wonderful! But we almost destroyed our swim suits (which are now almost grey) and our towels still stink even though we washed them twice in the machine.