Located 18 kilometers east of Rotorua and five kilometers west of Mount Tarawera, Lake Tarawera is a hidden treasure. Admire some of the most spectacular scenery in the area, including warm-water beaches, lush native bush and forest, magnificent waterfalls gushing from fissures in the sheer rock faces, and the lake itself, teeming with rainbow trout.

This stunningly beautiful lake witnessed nature at its catastrophic best in 1886 when Mount Tarawera erupted, killing over 150 people, raising the lake 12 meters, destroying the famous Pink and White Terraces and burying the town of Te Wairoa on the southwestern shore of the lake. Today, Mount Tarawera is a sleeping giant covered in bushes, but from the air you can see the huge chasm created by the eruption.

Visitors have the opportunity to encounter nature at its best. Lake Tarawera is revered by ornithologists for its abundant and varied bird life, the scene of many incredible jungle treks and is popular for fishing, boating, kayaking, water skiing, picnicking and hiking. on a mountain bike.

First on the list of places to visit is the Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve, which includes Landing, Orchard, Hot Water Beach, Humphries Bay, and Tarawera Falls.

The area where the Landing is located was the original starting point for voyages during the 19th century to the famous Pink and White Terraces. Today, the Landing is the launching point for scenic lake tours, fishing charters, water taxi services, self-driving boats, kayak tours, and pedal boat rentals. The Landing Cafe is one of the few lakeside dining options available in the Rotorua Lakes District and is a great place to enjoy a casual meal while admiring views over the lake and Mount Tarawera.

A short distance from the Landing and of archaeological importance is the Orchard, where the first traditional Maori cave paintings can be seen.

Lake Tarawera is the best lake for picnics, with many idyllic, private picnic spots dotted around its shores. One of the most popular and only accessible by boat is Hot Water Beach. Natural hot springs under the sand bubble up creating warm areas where you can dig your own heated outdoor sand bath, followed by a quick dip in the lake to cool off.

Humphries Bay, at the southern end of Lake Tarawera, is another pleasant picnic and camping spot accessible by boat or on foot along the Northern Tarawera Track. This moderate walking trail begins at the Tarawera Outlet, which is also the starting point for viewing the spectacular Tarawera Falls.

While most waterfalls flow over the tops of cliffs, Tarawera Falls rises directly from the middle of a high rock cliff surrounded by native bush. Tarawera Falls is off the beaten track via private logging roads that require permits, but this all adds to the feeling of remoteness and pristine beauty. Of greater interest is a set of huge rocks, a legacy of the Tarawera eruption that destroyed the Pink and White Terraces.

Lake Tarawera is a fisherman’s paradise and is famous for its trophy trout. The mouth of Te Wairoa Creek, just steps from the Landing, is a spawning area and known for its excellent winter fly fishing. However, there are great fishing spots all over this lake for fly and boat fishing, plus local fishing guides who can help you find where the fish are biting.

From Landing, you can head left on Tarawera Road to Buried Village or right on picturesque Spencer Road.

Te Wairoa Village was leveled by the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886, which also destroyed the famous Pink and White Terraces. Today visitors can visit this gloomy but beautiful place to see the remains of many of the excavated buildings and recount the drama of that terrifying event.

Also of interest is the Museo del Pueblo Buried with displays of household items that survived the eruption and the straightest tree lines in the world. These trees were once fence posts that have become full-fledged trees.

The main road into the Lake Tarawera settlement, Spencer Road, is noted for its many scenic lakeside and picnic spots. If you take the short walk from Boatshed Bay to Rangiuru Bay, you will come across Spencer’s mausoleum. This steep-roofed shingle structure with glass and rock walls hidden in dense undergrowth was built by Reverend FH Spencer on the site of the mission station started by his father Seymour Mills Spencer. Rangiuru Bay is a lovely place to kick back and relax and is regarded locally as one of the most reliable fly fishing spots on Lake Tarawera.

Further down Spencer Road is Stony Point Reserve with its playground, picnic and safe swimming areas, and Cliff Road Reserve with its large grassy areas and beautiful clear waters for swimming.

People are drawn to Lake Tarawera due to its timeless natural beauty. Come here to enjoy the serenity of the lake, go fishing or boating, take day hikes in the native rainforest, and marvel at the sight of magnificent Mount Tarawera.