While in Rotorua, we went to the Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, which are fed by a boiling hot spring (the water comes out of the ground at 98 C). The hot spring water is then cooled through a pond/plumbing system and fed into pools of varying temperatures. So you can choose a pool with temperature of your liking. With a constant supply of boiling spring water, they drain the pools each day and refill, so the spring water is fresh.
With the hot spring water plumbed to pools and tubs, it wasn't quite the adventure of hiking to Diamond Fork hot springs or spontaneous midnight trips to Meadow, but it was definitely more accessible with our kids. And the spring water was absolutely delightful. The kids couldn't get enough of it. I was a little worried that the kids would get bored with sitting around in the hot springs, but they loved it and didn't want to leave when it was time to go.
With the hot spring water plumbed to pools and tubs, it wasn't quite the adventure of hiking to Diamond Fork hot springs or spontaneous midnight trips to Meadow, but it was definitely more accessible with our kids. And the spring water was absolutely delightful. The kids couldn't get enough of it. I was a little worried that the kids would get bored with sitting around in the hot springs, but they loved it and didn't want to leave when it was time to go.
