New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 4: Mud Spa at Hell's Gate Rotorua, Huka Falls, Dixie Browns and Millenium Manuel Hotel Taupo

On day 4 of our travels in New Zealand, Kate’s itinerary brought us to the Mud Spa at Hell’s Gate Rotorua!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 4 – Hell’s Gate Rotorua Mud Spa

Entrance to Hell's Gate Geothermal Mud Spa Rotorua New Zealand — Entrance to Hell’s Gate Geothermal Mud Spa Rotorua New Zealand

This morning it was actually raining quite heavily just before we arrived at Hell’s Gate Rotorua. Thankfully, the rain subsided when Hell’s Gate opened for the day and we were able to enjoy our mud spa at 930am – with no rain! Thank the Lord!

Reception area of Hell's Gate Rotorua New Zealand Review — Reception area of Hell’s Gate Rotorua New Zealand Review

The ticket was $89 per person for both the mud spa as well as a soak in the hot spring of Hell’s Gate Rotorua. Once inside, the staff will check in with you on any pre-existing health conditions and to especially remind you not to place the mud at the forehead because sweat will cause the mud to flow down to your eyes. And if that happens, you’ll feel the uncomfortable tingling effect due to the acidic property of the water. So…follow the instructions!

Hell's Gate Mud Spa Mud Pool Rotorua New Zealand Review — Hell’s Gate Mud Spa Mud Pool Rotorua New Zealand Review

Silky smooth skin after mud spa at Hell's Gate Rotorua New Zealand — Silky smooth skin after mud spa at Hell’s Gate Rotorua New Zealand

Hell's Gate Mud Spa Mud Pool and Outdoor Shower Facilities at Hell's Gate (at the back of this photo) — Hell’s Gate Mud Spa Mud Pool and Outdoor Shower Facilities at Hell’s Gate (at the back of this photo)

Thankfully we visited at an off-peak hour and managed to snag the whole mud spa pool to ourselves. The mud were placed inside metallic boxes in the mud spa pool for self-application. Do note that the mud does wash off in the water. So remember to apply and be out of the water to allow the mud to dry and cake to achieve the full effects. The result? Silky smooth skin after our mud spa at Hell’s Gate Rotorua!

Sulphur Hot Spring at Hell's Gate Rotorua New Zealand — Sulphur Hot Spring at Hell’s Gate Rotorua New Zealand

Rectangular Sulphur Hot Springs Pool at Hell's Gate Rotorua New Zealand Review — Rectangular Sulphur Hot Springs Pool at Hell’s Gate Rotorua New Zealand Review

Views of Geothermal Volcanic Features from Hell's Gate Sulphur Hot Springs Pool — Views of Geothermal Volcanic Features from Hell’s Gate Sulphur Hot Springs Pool

Geothermal Volcanic Features at Hell's Gate Rotorua New Zealand — Geothermal Volcanic Features at Hell’s Gate Rotorua New Zealand

After our 10 minutes dip in the mud spa, the friendly staff then informed us that our time was up. Thereafter, we just dipped into the pool to remove the mud. Showers are also located next to the mud spa pools. Remember to turn the knob to the extreme left to get some nice hot water. After the mud spa, it was time to check out the sulphur hot springs next door. The water temperatures were nice. You can choose from 2 sulphur hot spring pools. One is a free-shaped hot spring with a “waterfall” while the other is a rectangular one that faces the volcanic features – perfect to just gaze and enjoy. There’s no time limit this time at the sulphur hot springs.

After the entire mud spa and sulphur hot spring sessions at Hell’s Gate Rotorua, we washed up in the toilet where there were hot showers. We just had to bring our own towels and shampoos. There’s complimentary water at the spa pools to help you stay hydrated during the session.

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 4 – Huka Falls Enroute to Taupo NZ

Directions towards Huka Falls from Huka Falls Lookout Taupo

Winding path along the way at Huka Falls Lookout

2bearbear at Huka Falls New Zealand Taupo

Enroute to Taupo, we stopped by Huka Falls as a rest stop and also to enjoy one of the main natural attractions in the Taupo area. We went to the side opposite of Huka Falls, parked our car on the gravel space and strolled to the falls viewing area. This point was a longer walk to see Huka Falls but has a better view from a distance.

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 4 – Dixie Browns Taupo NZ

Inside Dixie Browns Restaurant Taupo New Zealand

After about 2 hours from Rotorua, we arrived at Taupo. Our first stop at Taupo was lunch at Dixie Browns…

Dixie Browns Taupo Restaurant Sirloin Steak with Mushroom Sauce Review ($38.5)

Dixie Browns Taupo Restaurant Lamb Shank ($29.90) Review

Dixie Browns Restaurant Taupo Peanut Butter Milk Shake ($9.90)

This time, we ordered the Hawkes Bay Crushed Peach Bomb ($12.5) and Peanut Butter Milkshake ($9.90) for our beverages at Dixie Browns while for food, we had the Sirloin Steak ($38.5) and Lamb Shank ($29.90). Turns out, this stop at Dixie Browns Taupo was an excellent one where the steak was meaty, chunky and juicy. Peach bomb tasted like a cider while the peanut butter milkshake was rich and creamy along with peanut crunchies within. Good stuff!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 4 – Millennium Manuel Hotel Taupo

Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo Review New Zealand

After lunch, we checked into Millennium Manuel Hotel in Taupo. Kate had carefully curated our stay at Millennium Manuel Hotel Taupo because of the direct access to Lake Taupo right outside our room!

Direct access to Lake Taupo from Millennium Hotel Manuels Standard Lake View Room!

Chilling at our Lake View Room at Millennium Hotel Manuels Taupo

View of Lake Taupo from Millennium Hotels and Resorts Manuels Taupo Review

The room itself had modern equipment such as a large flat screen TV, water boiler and the heater was working perfectly. Darts championship was on this evening where Michael Smith remained cool and calm to claim the $500k prize money! We also checked out the swimming pool and gym of Millennium Manuel Hotel Taupo…

Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo Standard Lake View Room Review - King Sized Bed — Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo Standard Lake View Room Review – King Sized Bed

Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo Standard Lake View Room Review - Lounge Chair and TV — Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo Standard Lake View Room Review – Lounge Chair and TV

Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo Facilities Review - Swimming Pool — Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo Facilities Review – Swimming Pool

Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo Facilities Review - Gym — Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo Facilities Review – Gym

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On day 4 of our travels in North Island of New Zealand, we finally checked off on one of our anticipated activity – Hell’s Gate Rotorua Mud Spa. It was definitely worth the money, worth the time and the effects of smooth silky skin does show almost immediately! Steaks in New Zealand are also as good as they say. Our steak at Dixie Browns Taupo attest to that and in our next post, we’ll also be visiting one of the top steak house in Taupo – Edgewater Restaurant in Millennium Manuel Hotel Taupo. We’ll also be taking boat cruise out on Lake Taupo…so stay tuned!

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New Zealand North Island Travel Itinerary

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 1: Flying SQ Business Class and Visiting the New SilverKris Lounge!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 2: Arriving in Auckland and Hanging out in Hamilton

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 3: Visiting Hobbiton, Lake Rotorua and Eat Streat in Rotorua

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 4: Mud Spa at Hell’s Gate Rotorua, Huka Falls, Dixie Browns and Millenium Manuel Hotel Taupo

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 5: Mini Golf, Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise, Cornerstone Taphouse and Steaks at Edgewater Restaurant Taupo!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 6: Mission Estate Winery, Te Awanga Estate, Remutaka Crossing and Hey Day Beer Co Wellington

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 7: Breakfast at Wellington Sea Market, Fork and Brewer Craft Beer, Wellington Museum, Rogue and Vagabond, Shelly Bay Wellywood Sign

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 8: Mount Victoria and driving back north to Bulls and Skotel Alpine Resort, Tongariro National Park

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 9: From Skotel Alpine Resort to Tama Lake, Mount Ngauruhoe with views of Mount Ruapehu

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 10: Stopping at Taumarunui enroute to Huhu Chalet and Waitomo Ruakuri Caves!