I didn't get a chance to visit this spot, I’d already seen my fair share of geothermal activity, but I’ve been told this one’s a crowd-pleaser. Whakarewarewa is a living Māori village run by the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, who have been welcoming visitors for over 200 years. Here, you can get a glimpse into Māori culture while exploring the geothermal landscape, complete with steaming vents and bubbling mud pools. There are two ways to check out the village:

Guided Village Tour – $48
A local guide takes you through the village, sharing stories about Māori traditions and how the community uses the geothermal environment in daily life. It also includes a cultural performance with waiata (songs), dances, and of course, the famous haka.

Whaka Geothermal Trails (Self-Guided Walk) – $40
If you’d rather explore at your own pace, you can follow the geothermal trails and wander through steaming landscapes on your own.