Exploring the Tokaanu Thermal Walk
The Tokaanu Thermal Walk is a short loop track located in the small settlement of Tokaanu, just five minutes southwest of Tūrangi on State Highway 41. Nestled on the southern edge of Lake Taupō, this low-key geothermal site offers a quick but rewarding glimpse into the region’s volcanic underbelly. With active steam vents, boiling mud pools, and colourful mineral deposits, the walk reveals the forces that continue to shape the central North Island landscape.
Geothermal Activity and Māori Use
The walk follows a flat, easy path through native bush, weaving past a series of thermal features including steaming fumaroles, sulphur-encrusted rocks, and bubbling mud pots. These surface expressions are part of the Taupō Volcanic Zone, a highly active geothermal system stretching from Rotorua to Mt Ruapehu. Mineral-laden steam and runoff give the ground vivid yellow, orange, and white colours, especially after rain.
For local Māori, particularly Ngāti Kurauia, a hapū of Ngāti Tūwharetoa iwi, these hot springs have long been a vital part of daily life. Thermal water was traditionally used for cooking, washing, and healing, with specific springs reserved for certain uses or people. Steam pits were used to prepare kai, while warm pools were used to relieve aches and injuries. Some of these practices continue in the area today, and visitors are asked to respect the site’s cultural significance.
The Walk Experience and Setting
The entire walk takes around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how long you stop to watch the activity or read the interpretive signs. The trail is well-maintained, suitable for all ages, and offers several vantage points to view the larger pools and steaming vents. You'll notice the smell of sulphur in the air, a reminder of the geothermal energy just beneath your feet.
While the walk itself is quiet and natural, it sits right beside the Tokaanu Thermal Pools, which draw both locals and travellers for hot soaks.
How to Get There
The Tokaanu Thermal Walk starts by the entrance to the Tokaanu Thermal Pools, just off State Highway 41, five minutes from Tūrangi and around 50 minutes south of Taupō (57 km). Free parking is available at the pools, and the track entrance is signposted next to the main car park.
Other places to visit in the area include historic Tokaanu Wharf, Lake Rotopounamu,textLake Rotoaira and the Whiwhio Track near Kuratau.
