Rotorua Bath House – A Brief History
The Rotorua Bath House is a category one heritage building, and one of the most photographed buildings in the country.
- 1880 Land gifted by Ngāti Whakaue for the benefit of the people of the world
- 1882 Work commenced to create Government Gardens
- 1902 Arthur Wohlmann engaged as Government Balneologist
- 1908 Rotorua Bath House ‘the great south seas spa’ is officially opened on 13 August
- 1912 First south wing extension is opened 1940 60,000-80,000 baths given each year plus 25,000 massages and physical therapies
- Late 1940s Bath House falls into a desperate state of disrepair
- 1964 Lease granted for Tudor Towers restaurant
- 1966 Bath House is vacated due to its run down condition
- 1969 Rotorua Museum opened in the south wing
- 1977 Rotorua City Art Gallery opened in north wing 1983 Second south wing extension is opened
- 1985 NZHPT listed the Bath House as an Historic Place
- 1990 Tudor Towers night club closed
- 2006 Centennial project stage 1 viewing platform opened
- 2008 Centennial project stage 2 north wing extension opened
- 2011 Centennial project stage 3 south wing extension opened and Bath House finally completed to Arthur Wohlmann’s original vision
- 2016 Rotorua Museum closed for Bath House strengthening, restoration and redevelopment