A warm thermal river through a redwood forest. Free, unmarked, and perfect.
Kerosene Creek is a geothermally-heated stream in the Rotorua volcanic zone that flows through stands of California redwood at a consistent 38°C. The name comes from the kerosene-like smell of the sulfurous geothermal gases. A short walk from a roadside carpark (unmarked) leads to the best natural soaking section — a wide, shallow pool in the forest where the stream slows over smooth rocks. It has no facilities, no entry fee, and is known primarily to locals and backpackers.
- Free
Pools & saunas
Waters & pools
- Waterfall pool
- Natural hot spring stream
- 1 pools
- 35–38°C
- Open-air
Worth knowing
-
Free, unmarked wild thermal stream accessible with minimal knowledge
-
Flows through a planted California redwood forest at consistent 38°C
-
The most accessible genuinely wild hot spring in New Zealand
An insider's tip
There is no official signage on the road. Look for cars parked on Whakapoungakau Road and follow the short track into the trees. Go early morning before Rotorua tourist buses arrive.
Don't leave without
Lie flat in the stream and let the thermal current flow around you under the redwood canopy. The sulfur smell dissipates after five minutes.
In brief
- Location
- Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
- Type
- Wild Spring
- Temperature
- 38°C avg
- Access
- Hike-in
- Walk in
- 10 min
- Entry
- Free
- Soakable
- Yes
In the water
Best season
April – September for misty forest atmosphere; any season works
On the map
38.2089°S · 176.3639°E
