Blue Baths, Heritage bathhouse in Government Gardens, Rotorua, New Zealand
The Blue Baths is a thermal bathing complex in Government Gardens featuring Spanish Mission Revival style architecture with stucco walls and arched windows. The building displays decorative tilework and was designed to accommodate multiple bathing pools supplied by natural hot springs.
A bathhouse first opened on this site in 1886 and operated successfully for more than 40 years. The current building was constructed in 1932 based on designs by architect John Mair.
This bathhouse served as a social hub where people gathered for thermal bathing and leisure activities together. It shaped daily life in Rotorua as a destination for wellness and community gatherings.
The building has been closed to visitors since January 2021 following structural assessments after seismic concerns were identified. You can still view the exterior from the Government Gardens while plans for restoration and reopening are being developed.
The springs feeding this bathhouse come from natural geothermal sources beneath Rotorua that supply mineral-rich waters at constant warm temperatures. This direct connection to underground heat sources made it a truly distinctive facility unlike typical public baths.
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