Sally Jacksons book, Hot Springs of New Zealand, describes it thus: The temperature of this lake tends to vary – it is usually somewhere in the low thirties. Staying close to this shore is advised, due to possible temperature fluctuations further out. The water deepens quite quickly from the edge. [George Booth, Papakura]
Lake Rotowhero
In Nature
Description
Directions
After passing the SH38 junction to Murupara on SH5 from Rotorua, take the first turn left down Old Waiotapu Road. After 100m the lake is on your left. Kerosene Creek is 2km further down the road. [George Booth, Papakura]
Interactive Map
Bather Reviews
Temperature was 28 degrees and PH of 6.6. It has been exceptionally consistently rainy this year and this has probably contributed to the great swimability of the lake at this time. Swam 20 meters out to near the centre without any fluctuation in temperature. Highly recommended this season- June 2023.
Derek Winer -
Canada
/10
Beautiful emerald lake, temp like a warm bath, swam about three meters out. Nobody around. What a delight!
Amelia -
Nz
/10
Was at the lake for a science field trip. The water was tested and a temperature of 40 degrees at least and a pH of 3. So not ideal at all for swimming.
charlotte -
Hamilton
/10
This lake gets deep very sharply and is very green, it is a bit spooky because the opposite side of the lake from the road is obviosly much hotter and I worried about ending up in scalding water.
Gillian -
Sydney, Australia
/10
The lake pH is not so low that it will burn your skin off it is only 6.3-6.7 which is fine. I do not recoment this lake for swimming as it drops off close to the shore. There is amoebic meningitis bugs present in this lake and all geothermal lakes so do not put your head under!
Abigail Leonard -
Hamilton
/10
Really not a good idea to go swimming in this lake as it is quite acidic (as in a pH of 3.7) so if you want to keep your skin then, well, speaks for itself really doesn’t it…
Fiona McIntosh -
Hamilton, New Zealand
/10