Mt Tarawera
- Address: Mt. Tarawera, Rotorua
- Hours: Open Daily, accessible via tours only
- Admission: NZD 46
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Mountain Biking,
Sailing,
Walking/Hiking,
Mountain,
Volcano
Near the northeast coast of the North Island is Mount Tarawera, the volcano responsible for a massive eruption that destroyed the famed, naturally occurring Pink and White Terraces and buried three Maori villages, including Te Wairoa, in 1866. The volcano is currently dormant, but visitors can book several different guided tours of the mountain, ranging from helicopter, 4-wheel drive vehicles and mountain bikes.
The area around Mt. Tarawera is breathtaking in its beauty and captivating in its thermal characteristics. Nearby are both the Geothermal Wonderland of Wai-O-Tapu and the Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley near Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. At Tarawera's foot is Lake Rotomahana, which offers numerous recreational activities including fishing, water skiing and boating.
In addition to Lake Rotomahana, Mt. Tarawera's eruption formed many others, as the rift and domes formed from the explosion dramatically altered the surrounding landscape. In fact, the blast was so massive that its ash could be seen as far away as Christchurch, nearly 500 miles to the south. The resulting topographic challenges have created some of the most exhilarating bike trails in the world.
Latest Reviews
Review by Alexsandro L, May 2013
Doing what: Rotorua Eco Thermal Small Group Morning Tour
Huru is the guide, and he is very friendly person! The tour is not so cheap, but there was just 3 people in his van! You can do this trip by yourself, but isnt the same with guide!
Review by Andrew G, February 2013
Doing what: Rotorua Eco Thermal Small Group Morning Tour
Fantastic tour with excellent guide Horu Spectacularly beautiful and the highlight of our all but too brif week in NZ
Review by Katherine S, February 2013
Doing what: Rotorua Eco Thermal Small Group Morning Tour
Really excellent. Our guide had a broad knowledge, not only of the geology of the area and the history of volcanic activity, but also of how Maori people would have used the natural resources (and of 'Lord of the Rings' filming location!) Richly illuminating experience.
Practical Info
Since January 2010, independent hiking on Tarawera (and even being on the roads that approach it) is forbidden, due to health and safety issues, vandalism, and traffic. If you want to visit it you must book a tour.
