Kaitoke Hot Springs

A flat, easy DOC track crosses the Kaitoke wetlands and kānuka forest to a hot stream and a few soaking pools. It takes about 45 minutes each way, so you can do it as a half-day with a long soak in the middle. Getting to Great Barrier is the real commitment, since it means a ferry or a small plane.

Good to know

• Keep your head out of the water, as in all natural hot pools
• Scrub your boots at the kauri dieback stations and stay on the track
• Water in the stream can be very hot, so test it before sitting down
• Bring a car or bike over from the mainland, there's no public transport

Best time

Late afternoon, after the day-trippers have left

Open

All year

Getting there

Track starts on Whangaparapara Road, about 45 minutes each way on a flat track

Vehicles

Fine in any car

Dogs

No dogs

Facilities

• Toilets

Data: Roadtrip. Things change: check opening times, prices and rules before you go.