Kuirau Park Footbaths in Rotorua, New Zealand, is a cool spot where you can soak your feet in some mineral-rich water for free. The park also has mud pools and geothermal areas to explore, along with sports fields and picnic spots.
Tips:
These footbaths range in temperature—some are mild and relaxing, while others can be surprisingly hot (test first!).
There's plenty of seating, though it gets wet—bring a towel to sit on and another for your feet.
Go early morning or at dusk for a quieter soak (it can get busy!)
A playground and short track nearby. Great for kids.
Make sure to walk over to 'Kuirau Lake' for a great loop walk of a steaming lake, some great photo ops here! (especially if you are at a different platforms than you 'model' - see last 2 photos)
Other options for the budget travelers include:
Waitangi Soda Springs, near lake Rotoma (cheap)
Kerosene creek, Waiotapu (free)
Hot 'n' Cold Pools, Waiotapu (free)
Reviews
“Free foot spa in the middle of a steaming geothermal park? Say less. The hot pools are so good—super relaxing after a day walking around.” – Jade, 2024. Google Reviews
“Soaking our feet here at sunset was such a chill end to the day. The park is cool too—lots of steam, bubbling mud, and birds around.” – Tommy, 2023. TripAdvisor