Prior to enjoying the facilities we are given a brief tour which starts with a beautiful prayer.

Step 1: Te Iringa Waterfall Showers

Each person passes through a series of soft waterfall streams that energise the body and open it to awareness and to the present before continuing on the cultural wellness journey.  Behind the wood screen are 4 streams that range in temperature.

Step 2:  Te Ahi Tupia Tongariro Fire and Ice Caves

In Maori wellbeing practice, it is understood that moving between extreme temperatures improves vigour and stamina.  So, this is a series of hot and cold experiences that invigorate the body and soul.

Sauna #1 is called Bio Sauna and it is bewteen 50-60 C with 40-60% humidity.  We try to stay in here for the full 15 minutes but decide to move on after 12.

We did a quick walk through the ice cold pool (top right) and then moved on to the salt sauna. This was beautiful and my favorite of the saunas.  It sat around 70-80 C with 10-20% humidity. 

Back through the ice cold pool and into the last sauna called the Hay Sauna which was 60-70 C and 10-20% humidity.  This one bothered all of us as the hay smell made us sneeze.

The next step was only for the bold and the brave.  You step into a room, pull on a chain and a bucket full of ice water flows down upon you.

Step 3: Te Taiwhanga Matua Geothermal Pools

There are five (5) geothermal pools in this area: herbal, hydrotherapy, mineral alkaline, and the cold plunge.  The pool temperatures range from 12-41C as you gently move from one to the other.  

The Geo Soal Pool was the largest and had a long ramp for easy access.  After the really hot pools this felt like bath water to me, but it was still very beautiful and restorative.

Insde the Hydrotherapy pool they have beautiful cascading waterfalls with jets in between and a set of 10 bubbling lounge beds to relax your muscles.

The Herbal Pool had little pods of floating herbs.  We found rosemary, citrus, and lemongrass. It was probably one of the prettiest spots.

Step 4: Te Pae Paru Geothermal Mud Lounge

This was fun.  You lather our body with geothermal mud to nourish the skin and connect with the land.  Once you are fully covered in mud you lay down on heated lounge chairs and let it dry before going on to Step 5.

Step 5: Kohu Wai Ariki Steam Room

Reclining on the heated lounges and stoens in this misty cave allows you to completely relax.

After a beautiful and relaxing experience at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa we head back to the private and very comfortable van to Auckland.  It was so spectacular to spend time with the Barker family.   They are truly good peeps!