Nestled in the heart of Arrowtown, Glacier Hot Pools offers a serene alpine soak with a distinctly New Zealand twist. Fed by mineral-rich waters from the Southern Alps, these outdoor pools provide a blissful retreat after a day of exploring Queenstown's adventures. The setting, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and native beech forest, is nothing short of spectacular, especially in winter when steam rises from the warm water into crisp mountain air.
Highlights & What to See
- Geothermal Pools: Soak in 36–40°C mineral waters sourced from 1,500 metres below ground, known for their therapeutic properties.
- Mountain Views: The pools face the dramatic Remarkables range, offering postcard-perfect vistas at golden hour or under a starry sky.
- Private & Family Pools: Choose from communal hot pools or book a private pool for a more intimate experience, ideal for couples or small groups.
- Day Spa Treatments: Indulge in a massage or facial using local botanicals, a perfect pairing with your thermal soak.
- On-site Café: Enjoy a coffee, craft beer, or light meal overlooking the pools – the wood-fired pizzas are a local favourite.
Suggested Time to Spend
Most visitors spend 1.5–2 hours soaking, which is ample time to rotate through the different pools and sauna. Pair your visit with a spa treatment to extend it to half a day. The hot pools are open until late evening, so consider a sunset soak followed by dinner at the café – a wonderfully relaxed end to a day of hiking or skiing.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Arrowtown Historic Village – Just a 5-minute drive away, this gold-rush town offers charming streets, boutique shops, and the Lakes District Museum.
- Queenstown – A 20-minute drive takes you to the adventure capital, with bungee jumping, lake cruises, and vibrant dining.
- Gibbston Valley – New Zealand's 'valley of the vines', 15 minutes away, where you can tour wineries and taste world-class pinot noir.
- Coronet Peak & The Remarkables Ski Areas – Both about 20–30 minutes by car, offering winter skiing and summer hiking with stunning alpine scenery.
- Lake Hayes – A picturesque lake just 10 minutes away, perfect for a gentle walk, picnic, or cycle ride along its shores.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Arrowtown Historic Village — Bgabel / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lakes District Museum — Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia / Public domain
- Gibbston Valley — Marek Ślusarczyk ( Tupungato ) Photo portfolio / CC BY 3.0
- Lake Hayes — André Richard Chalmers / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Coronet Peak — André Richard Chalmers / CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Remarkables — Nick Bramhall from Tillicoultry, Scotland / CC BY-SA 2.0
- Queenstown — Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand / CC0