Spa/Wellness

Sadly the terraces were destroyed during the Mt Tarawera eruption in 1886. Despite this, Rotorua's reputation as a spa destination continued to grow and the city now offers a wide range of spa and wellness options.

The great spa of the South Pacific, the gracious Tudor-style Bath House opened in the Government Gardens in 1908. People came from all over the world to 'take the waters' at the Bath House. Now home to Rotorua’s award-winning museum, the building utilised thermal water and mud for a variety of bathing, mud and massage treatments. The remnants of those treatments can still be seen today at the Rotorua Museum.

Thermal waters are also a featured at the Blue Baths and Polynesian Spa also situated in Government Gardens.

Designed for recreational rather than medicinal bathing, the Art Deco-style Blue Baths opened in 1931 and were very popular with both locals and visitors. They closed in 1973 but reopened in 1999 following a major restoration project.

Polynesian Spa is built on the site of the Priest Springs, named for an Irish priest. Tauranga-based Father Mahoney reputedly cured himself of arthritis in 1878 by setting up camp beside a hand-dug pool and bathing in it daily for three months. The Pavilion Baths were built over the Priest Springs in 1882 followed by two more buildings including the Ward Baths. The baths were operated by the Government until Polynesian Pools Ltd took over the lease in 1972, and following a major refurbishment and rebuilding programme became the Polynesian Spa complex.

Countless visitors attest to the benefits of soaking in Rotorua’s therapeutic waters and are rejuvenated by the many health and wellness options available at places like Polynesian Spa, QE Health and Wai-Ora Spa at Hell’s Gate. Many of the city’s accommodation houses offer thermal swimming, spa and plunge pool options so there are a myriad of options to ‘rejuvenate your spirit’ in Rotorua.