Kerosene Creek — Attraction in North Island

Prepare to walk in bare feet as ground can be very muddy after rain...but it's only mud and not stoney. When you walk down from car park there is an entry to right that is not easy but if you go left there are lots of other areas to take a dip. So explore left and keep going up and around the first flat spot which is easy to dip feet in the mini falls or sit in for a back massage. The next is more impressive...there is a gap to the left where you can lower yourself on to some rocks to get in the creek. You can keep going but these 2 spots were all I needed for a free natural hot water dip to break up the journey between Taupo and Rotorua. Take a towel and togs as the temptation to get in when you think I'll just have a look is great. But for even just a look is still worth the 15 minute return walk. And if you take your mountain bike ride back down the gravel road and look for a sign entry on the right as it avoids a lot of blackberry over growth and don't forget to turn right where there is a junction sign posted as I road past it and ended up going down to the car park that is off the main road....best for just planning to ride as slightly shorter...but I prefer the bumpy gravel road way so can have the kerosene...

The “Hot” Spring That Ain’t That Hot

So Kerosene Creek… a natural hot water stream, just 5 minutes off the main road down a bumpy gravel track. You park right by the roadside and boom there it is.

Plenty of people were soaking in there (mostly women), but I didn’t snap pics respect people’s privacy, not trying to be that creepy tourist. 😅

Now the truth: the water looks clear from above, but when you get closer, it smells like someone boiled rotten eggs for dinner.. The steps going down half broken one wrong move and you’re on sick leave with a leg cast. 🚑

The environment? Let’s just say it’s not Bali vibes… no toilets, no changing rooms. So yeah, people probably just… “handle business” out in the wild. 🌲💩

Also, there’s a giant sign warning you: Don’t dunk your head, don’t sniff the water, don’t let it up your nose. Basically: “Come swim, but at your own risk of catching something.”

And the “hot” water? More like “slightly warm.” My winter shower at home is hotter than this river. Definitely not egg boiling level, unless you’ve got a week to spare. 🍳

Overall: Cool to check off the list, but dip? Nah, I’m good. 😎

“Logan was here.. Survived the hot creek, but...

Honestly one of the most overrated things I've been to and I've been to a lot as a Kiwi. The water was filthy, it wasn't even that hot. The local council or Doc should really utilize this attraction so much better. There is one long drop with no room for changing. The long drop is almost full, it is absolutely filthy. There is smashed glass and literal toilet paper with poo behind it. There are a few ways to get into the creek but if it's busy good luck getting a spot. There are a lot of nicer cleaner looking places in the water further upstream but it's hard to get in and out. With a shred of effort (getting some stairs put in in the harder to access areas) this place would be decent. Currently, I would absolutely not recommend it. The road in is awful too, gravel and pot holes everywhere. I would go to a proper geothermal place instead until this place is...