Winter is coming and there is no better way to enjoy winter in the South Island than to relax in a hot pool. We have you covered with all the best South Island Hot Pools and what we loved about them.

They each have something different to offer, so we are sure there is a hot pool or two for everyone! We have soaked in each and every one of these relaxing hot pools and hot tubs, so you can rest assured we’ve picked the best ones for you to add to your South Island itineraries.

What’s the difference between a hot pool and a hot tub, we hear you ask? A hot pool is in our opinion only applicable when you are either in something big enough to be called a pool or when the water is natural mineral water. A hot tub applies to most of the private pool options you’ll find all over New Zealand, where you are literally in a hot tub with fresh hot water.

We love hot water of any kind, but our favourite is definitely the mineral hot water soaks. Sink into one of these hot pools after a day on the slopes or a day hike, and you’ll experience true bliss! 

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Table of contents

He Puna Taimoana – Christchurch 

South Island Hot Pools

Cost: $79 pp for the sunrise adults only soak 

Number of pools: 5 hot pools, a plunge pool and sauna

Best for: Sunrise soak and beachside views

You can get sessions at He Puna Taimoana at any time of day. However, the best session on offer is by far the adult’s only sunrise soak. You’ll be well and truly pampered as the first people into the hot pools for the day, with two hours to enjoy the peace of the sunrise soak at this quite beachside town.

Make sure you book in advance with limited numbers for the session so you won’t be fighting for space to get the best views of the sun rising over the ocean. The only thing that could make your soak more enjoyable would be a mock-tail, and they have you covered, bringing out a couple of mocktails to sip on whilst you enjoy the view. It’s the perfect way to start any day if you ask us! If treating yourself to a sunrise soak is a little too luxurious, the daytime sessions are $23 pp and still well worth the visit.

Ōpuke Thermal Pool and Spa – Methven

Cost: $67 pp for a 2hr session in the adults only area (includes access to family area)

Number of pools: Large connected pools with the same water temp. Plunge pool in adults area and lazy river in family area

Best for: Swim up bar and solar heated water

Does it get better than a swim up bar in a hot pool? Honestly, we aren’t sure.

This was such a relaxing and fun 2hrs in a hot pool. We enjoyed this soak after a full day hike and wow was it nice for the aching muscles! They have a two drink limit for the 2hr session, which is understandable, and honestly you don’t need more than that. They offer food too if you are feeling extra indulgent.

We loved getting to explore all the cool cave areas and had a lot of fun in the lazy river too. Showers, a robe and towel are included in the cost, making for a van lifers dream as you can shower after your 2hr session is up. It’s a little off the beaten track, but well worth adding into your road trip itinerary. 

Tekapo Springs – Takapō

Cost: $39 pp 

Number of pools: 3 hot pools of varying temperature 

Best for: Day Pass and optional extras including a slide, sauna and seasonal snow play

We’ll be honest here. This was our least favourite of all the hot pools we enjoyed on the South Island. Whilst there is nothing bad about Tekapo Springs, it just doesn’t have anything that makes it stand out.

It’s in a good location, but the views aren’t easy to see when you are actually soaking in the hot pools. I think the best thing about Tekapo Springs is if you are here in winter, and it’s snowing, otherwise it’s just your standard hot pool. Bearing in mind it’s hot water and not mineral water either, which is another point taken off, as a mineral hot pool is definitely the better kind of hot pool.

Having said that, the fact that it’s a day pass and not a timed session is great! You can even come and go if you want to, which is a major plus. 

Onsen Hot Pools – Queenstown

Cost: $175 for two people – Original Onsen Soak – 1hr

Number of pools: Private hot tubs

Best for: Instagram pics 

We hate to burst the Instagram bubble, but these hot tubs, whilst picture perfect, are overpriced for what you get. For us, an hour in a hot pool isn’t quite long enough. Add to that the cost you are paying for that hour, and this is definitely a treat yourself occasion.

We did these hot tubs for Tiff’s 30th, and honestly, we won’t be doing them for anything else. Your soak comes with a complimentary beverage of your choice or a little snack each. Don’t get us wrong, it’s a relaxing time and the alpine views are stunning. It’s just a bit pricey for a glorified hot tub. 

Driftaway Hot Pools – Queenstown

Cost: $69 for up to 4 people if you are staying on site. $138 for up to 4 people if you aren’t on site (BookMe).

Number of pools: Private hot tub

Best for: Most cost-effective 

Budget friendly with an epic view over Lake Wakatipu. These hot tubs let you play your own music and offer a discount if you are staying in the camp ground. Which, whilst we are talking about it, is the best camp ground we have stayed at in all of New Zealand. Towels and water are provided, but there isn’t a shower included. If you are after a hot pool soak in Queenstown with a view, we would highly recommend coming to Driftaway over the Onsen Hot Pools. It’s closer to town, cheaper and just as relaxing. 

Maruia Hot Springs

Cost: $170 for 2 people and campsite stay, access to pools from 3pm day of check in to 3pm day of check out. 

Number of pools: 3 natural outdoor hot springs, steam room, sauna, plunge pool, foot pool 

Best for: A mineral soak and place to spend the night

This is a little slice of paradise tucked away in Lewis Pass. If you can stay the night here so you can soak in the hot pools during the day, at night and in the morning, then do! Otherwise, there are day packages available.

From the moment we rocked up to our campsite, we hardly left the outdoor hot pools. We soaked, Tiff cold plunged and we loved the rock sauna. There are ample packages to check out here that include private hot pools, spa treatments and gourmet dining experiences. We treated our selves to breakfast in the restaurant after our early morning soak and before our midday soak!

If you only pick one hot pool to visit on the South Island, then this is by far the best one to choose. The mineral water is incredible to soak in, making it so much better than all the fresh hot water pools. Given that they are natural hot pools with rocks and nature surrounding you, the experience is that much more relaxing than all the more man made options on this list.

Trust us, you won’t be disappointed. Just make sure you use their sandfly repellent liberally!

Hanmer Springs

Cost: $40 pp (includes unlimited waterslides) – BookMe

Number of pools: 22 pools 

Best for: New Zealand’s largest thermal water park, plus they have hot water slides!

A hot water playground that lets you relax after the adrenaline of the water slides. This place literally caters to the entire family. There are plenty of hot water pools to soak in at varying temperatures and sizes. You’ll be able to find a relaxing place to unwind. You’ll also have a blast going down the numerous waterslides. They have tube waterslides, one with a funnel (the Super Bowl) the other with a massive ramp (Conical Thrill), and some slightly tamer slides without tubes. It’s fun for all ages!

You have no time limit here either and plenty of food options and places to eat your own picnic lunch if you want to spend the day here. Lockers are extra, but there are an abundance of free cubbies to leave your belongings and great showers to make use of before you leave. 

Omarama Hot Tubs

Cost: $120 for 2 adults

Number of pools: Private Pools 

Best for: Mountain views and nighttime soaks

This is definitely another treat yourself hot tub soak. The views are stunning, and the pools are outside, which adds to the peace and in our opinion enhances the view a little.

We came for a nighttime soak to star gaze and make the most of their affiliation with the New Zealand Motor and Caravan Association (NZMCA) which as NZMCA members meant we could spend the night in their parking lot for free.

Your 90-min session includes towels and drinking water free of charge, with the option to add on a drink of your choice (at an extra cost). The fresh mountain water is heated via wood fire, so this is definitely a hut tub and not a hot pool. In winter, you have the chance to experience these pools with some snow, so choose your dates wisely. 

Bonus!

Cost: $8 pp

Number of pools: 1 hot pool, lap pools and kids area

If all of the above hot pools are breaking the bank a little then never fear as the hot pool at the Queenstown public pools is actually pretty good. It is included in general entry, so you’ll have access to the lap pools and public showers too. We use this often when in Queenstown so we can freedom camp and still shower. It’s definitely a well known spot amongst the South Island vanlife community, so give it a go if you are being super budget conscious, or you just need a shower and soak after a few days freedom camping. 

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