Waiwera Thermal Pools | North Shore Auckland

As a kid growing up I would come to New Zealand with my mum, she was born in Auckland. Pretty much the first thing I'd ask her on arrival was “Mum? Can we go to Waiwera? Pleeeeeease!”

A thermal spa just a half an hour drive North of Auckland, Waiwera is a great place to relax anytime, although I would recommend an evening visit, so you can catch the sunset in fully filtered thermal pools (meaning you can dunk your mate without worry of infecting him with nasty bacteria.)

Being a little way away from central Auckland it is perfect for escaping the buzz of the city to a more tranquil spot. It is also incredibly easy to find, just head North on highway 1.

"...visitors can sit in warm water and watch a film!"

Waiwera is a great way to wind down from those busy and beautiful ventures, and soothe those aching muscles - or nerves! On the other hand Waiwera can be a day activity in its own right. With a multitude of water slides and its own film pool, where visitors can sit in warm water and watch a film! For when you don't want to be soaking there is also a cafeteria and a games arcade, along with a spa service where massages and treatments are for the taking.

It is designed as a family experience, so therefore has features to suit every traveller's desire, from private spa pools to adults only pools if you want to stay away from the children who do roam the pools. Personally, it is a place filled with childhood memories, however I took my girlfriend there recently and we both devolved into small children, racing each other down the water slides. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to see some of what the North Shore has to offer, or who likes swimming in warm water; which, let's be honest here, is most of us!