Hell's Gate Rotorua Review: Mud Bath and Spa with Views of Geothermal Features

Hell’s Gate at Rotorua is one of the highlights of our New Zealand trip as it would be our first time doing a mud spa, ever! This morning, we checked out early from our AirBnB and we reached Hell’s Gate Mud Bath at 9:30am for our booked timing of 11am.

Parking outside Hell's Gate Rotorua as we were early — Parking outside Hell’s Gate Rotorua as we were early

Entrance to Hell's Gate Geothermal Mud Spa Rotorua New Zealand — Entrance to Hell’s Gate Geothermal Mud Spa Rotorua New Zealand

As we were still early, we parked outside the Hell’s Gate to do some surfing before our time for entry. Before we go into the review proper, there were certainly some questions that we had regarding the mud spa at Hell’s Gate. Let’s start with these questions to help with your preparations to Hell’s Gate!

Commons Question to Help Your Preparations Before Visiting Hell’s Gate Mud Spa

What Should I Prepare Before I Visit Hell’s Gate Mud Spa?

Before our visit to Hell’s Gate Mud Spa, we wanted to know whether we needed to bring extra clothes or towels. This is because the sulphur from Hell’s Gate mud spa has been known to linger on clothes. After our visit, we found that it really does! Even after bathing, our skin had the sulphur smell for a couple of days. This is also why we brought towels that we wanted to dispose and also wore swimming trunks that we would dispose after our visit to the mud spa.

Are There Showering Points and Showering Foam Available at Hell’s Gate Mud Spa?

One of the information we wanted to find out was whether there are showering facilities at Hell’s Gate Mud Spa. The answer is yes! Also, in case you’re wondering, there is also hot water as well. So you won’t have to shower with cold water. Brr… Shower gel is also available in the toilets. So what happens is that after you’re done with the mud spa, there are outdoor showering available to rinse off the mud from your body. Thereafter, you’ll be allowed to spend some time at the hot springs. After you’re done, you can use the showering facilities that has showering gel available.

Is There Water Available?

Yes. After your mud spa, approach the staff for a cup. Thereafter, you can use it to fill up at the water cooler next to the mud spa.

Hell’s Gate Mud Spa Review – Before We Enter

During our entry at 11am, there were not so many people. At the entrance of Hell’s Gate Rotorua, you’ll find a souvenir shop and a cafe. You’ll also be able to use complimentary Wi-Fi here.

Souvenir Shop at Hell's Gate Rotorua New Zealand — Souvenir Shop at Hell’s Gate Rotorua New Zealand

Hell's Gate Cafe, Rotorua New Zealand Review — Hell’s Gate Cafe, Rotorua New Zealand Review

Seats at Cafe of Rotorua Hell's Gate — Seats at Cafe of Rotorua Hell’s Gate

This time, we bought our tickets for $89 per person for both a mud spa as well as a soak in the hot spring. You can also use the toilet outside at the reception area before you enter. We decided not to do the walk at the geothermal features because we had done a much more extensive one at Yellowstone National Park previously.

Reception area of Hell's Gate Rotorua New Zealand Review — Reception area of Hell’s Gate Rotorua New Zealand Review

Once inside, the staff of Hell’s Gate will ask whether you have any existing health conditions and remind you not to put mud above your nose. Especially not at the forehead because once you sweat, the mud will flow down to your eyes. This will cause tingling and irritation because of the acidic properties of the hot springs. So remember to follow the instructions closely!

From the reception to the mud spa at Hell's Gate Rotorua — From the reception to the mud spa at Hell’s Gate Rotorua

Walking towards the mud spa at Hell's Gate Rotorua — Walking towards the mud spa at Hell’s Gate Rotorua

Mud Bath and Spa Entrance at Hell's Gate Rotorua New Zealand — Mud Bath and Spa Entrance at Hell’s Gate Rotorua New Zealand

Before we entered the mud spa, we changed into our trunks and bikini and placed our valuables in a container that was provided to us. The container would be handed back to the staff for safekeeping while we enjoyed the facilities.

Hell’s Gate Mud Spa Review – The Experience

The staff then showed us to the mud spa. As we went in during the off-peak hours, we were able to have the whole mud pool to ourselves!

Hell's Gate Mud Spa Mud Pool Rotorua New Zealand Review — Hell’s Gate Mud Spa Mud Pool Rotorua New Zealand Review

The staff then moved on to explain to us how to enter the mud pool safely. This is because of the mud, you will not be able to see the steps and have to hold on to the railings attached. There were a total of 4 steps, 3 steps downwards and one more towards the centre. Within the mud pool, the geothermal mud is located inside metallic boxes of the mud pool for self-application. That’s where the fun began! We helped each other to apply the mud on the backs and also on our faces (below our eyes to avoid irritation). As the mud would be washed off once you’re in the water, remember to apply and remain out of the water to allow the mud to dry and cake to achieve the full effects. After the mud spa, our skin were indeed silky smooth!

Silky smooth skin after mud spa at Hell's Gate Rotorua New Zealand — Silky smooth skin after mud spa at Hell’s Gate Rotorua New Zealand

Each visitor to the mud spa is allowed to remain in the mud pool for 20 minutes. Once the time is up, the friendly staff approached us to tell us that our time was up. As we were taking photos prior to our treatment, the staff also took that into account and only called us out about 5 minutes later than scheduled. Once you’re informed, just dip into the pool to remove the mud. Remember to help each other clean off the mud on the back as well. Again, avoid the eyes!

Hell's Gate Mud Spa Mud Pool and Outdoor Shower Facilities at Hell's Gate (at the back of this photo) — Hell’s Gate Mud Spa Mud Pool and Outdoor Shower Facilities at Hell’s Gate (at the back of this photo)

The outdoor showers are right by the mud spa pools. If you take a look at the photo above, it is right at the back of the photo (on the right). Remember to turn the knob at the shower head, all the way to the left. You’ll then be able to get a nice hot shower. So it is actually rather nice.

Sulphur Hot Spring at Hell's Gate Rotorua New Zealand — Sulphur Hot Spring at Hell’s Gate Rotorua New Zealand

After washing off our mud, we proceeded to the sulphur hot spring. The water temperature was rather nice. Coupled with the cool surrounding temperature, a dip into the hot spring was perfect – reminded us of our time at Turkey hot springs, which was pure bliss!

Head closer to the “water fall” or where the water enters the pool to have access to the hotter water. But do be careful as it does get rather hot. For the sulphur hot springs, there are 2 pools. The one nearest to the mud spa is the free-shaped one that is nicer to laze in. Walking further towards the geothermal features, you’ll be able to see a rectangular sulphur hot spring pool. This sulphur hot spring also faces the volcanic features – perfect to just gaze and enjoy the features from this pool.

Geothermal Volcanic Features at Hell's Gate Rotorua New Zealand — Geothermal Volcanic Features at Hell’s Gate Rotorua New Zealand

Rectangular Sulphur Hot Springs Pool at Hell's Gate Rotorua New Zealand Review — Rectangular Sulphur Hot Springs Pool at Hell’s Gate Rotorua New Zealand Review

Views of Geothermal Volcanic Features from Hell's Gate Sulphur Hot Springs Pool — Views of Geothermal Volcanic Features from Hell’s Gate Sulphur Hot Springs Pool

After our visit to the hot springs, we headed to the toilets, within which there are shower facilities. There are only communal showering points. Yup, everyone bathes in the buff. There are also body shower provided. We just brought our own shampoo. We then threw away the trunks and bikini that went into the mud and hot spring pools. Remember to utilise the complimentary water cooler to keep yourself hydrated after soaking in the hot springs and mud spa.

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All in all, we had a thoroughly relaxing and blissful time at Hell’s Gate Mud Spa and Geothermal Hot Spring Pools! Our skin was silky smooth even several days after our visit. Definitely worth a visit! Remember to drop by Hell’s Gate for a dip at the mud spa and hot springs if you’re in Rotorua New Zealand!

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New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 3: Visiting Hobbiton, Lake Rotorua and Eat Streat in Rotorua

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 4: Mud Spa at Hell’s Gate Rotorua, Huka Falls, Dixie Browns and Millenium Manuel Hotel Taupo

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