Located 18 kilometers east of Rotorua and five kilometers west of Mount Tarawera, Lake Tarawera is a hidden treasure. It occupies in some of the most picturesque landscapes of the region, including hot water beaches, lush native bushes and forests, magnificent waterfalls, bursting from cracks on the sheer cliffs and the lake itself, teeming with rainbow trout.
This incredibly beautiful lake witnessed nature in the most disastrous state in 1886, when Mount Taravera broke out, killing more than 150 people, raising the lake 12 meters, destroying the famous Pink and White Terraces and burying the village of Te Vairoa on the southern shore of the lake. Today, Mt Tarawera is a sleeping giant covered in bushes, but from the air you see a huge abyss created by the eruption.
Visitors have the opportunity to meet nature at its best. Lake Tararavera is revered by ornithologists for its abundant and varied bird life, a place for many incredible walks in the bushes and popular for fishing, boating, kayaking, water skiing, picnic and mountain biking.
First on the list of places to visit is the Lake Taravera reserve, which includes Landing, a garden, a hot water beach, Humphreys Bay and the Tarawera Falls.
The landing area was the starting point for trips to the famous Pink and White Terraces during the 19th century. Today Landing is the starting point for scenic lake tours, fishing charters, water taxis, self-propelled boats, kayak tours and pedal boats. Landing Cafe is one of the few restaurants that can be ordered in the dining room on the lake in Rotorua Lakes. This is a great place where you can enjoy a casual meal while admiring the view of the lake and Mount Tarawera.
In close proximity to the Landing and the archaeological significance is Orchard, where you can see the early traditional Maori cave paintings.
Lake Tararavera is a beautiful picnic lake with many idyllic and private picnic areas located around its shores. One of the most popular and accessible by boat is a hot water beach. Natural hot springs under the sand rise up, creating hot areas where you can dig up your own hot sandy hot tub and then quickly plunge into the lake to cool off.
Humphreys Bay, at the southern end of Lake Tarawera, is another pleasant picnic and camping site, accessible by boat or on foot along the northern Tarawera road. This moderate tramway starts at Tarawera Outlet, which is also the starting point for viewing the impressive Tarawera Falls.
While most of the waterfalls flow over the tops of the cliffs, Tarawera Falls rises right from the middle of a high cliff, surrounded by native shrub. Tararavera Falls is knocked out of the way along private forest roads that require permits, but all this adds a sense of remoteness and pristine beauty. Of further interest is the multitude of massive boulders, a legacy of the eruption of Tarawera, which destroyed the Pink and White Terraces.
Lake Tararavera is a paradise for fishermen and is famous for its trophy trout. The mouth of the river Te Vairoa, just a few minutes walk from the Landing, is a breeding ground and is known for its excellent winter fishing. However, this lake has incredible fishing spots for boats and boats, as well as local fishing guides who can help you find where the fish bite.
From Landing, you can go left on the Tarawera road to the Buried Village or straight along the picturesque Spencer Road.
The tree of Vairoa was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886, which also destroyed the famous Pink and White Terraces. Today, visitors can visit this dark, but beautiful place to see the remains of many excavated buildings and retell the drama of this terrifying event.
Also of interest is the Buried Village Museum with displays of household items that have survived the eruption and the most direct line of trees in the world. These trees were once fences that grew into full-fledged trees.
The main road to Lake Tarawera, Spencer Road, is marked by many scenic picnics and lake sites. If you go on a short walk from Boaz Bay to Rangioura Bay, you will meet Spencer’s mausoleum. This tiled structure, with glass and stone walls hidden in a bush, was built by Rev. F. H. Spencer on the site of a mission station, started by his father Seymour Mills Spencer. Rangiura Bay is a great place for rest and relaxation, which is considered one of the most reliable fishing spots on Lake Tarawera.
Further along Spencer Road is the Stone Point Preserve with a playground for children, a picnic and safe swimming pools and Cliff Road Preserve with its large grassy areas and beautiful clear water for swimming.
People are drawn to Lake Tarawera because of their timeless natural beauty. Come here to enjoy the tranquility of the lake, go fishing or boating, go for a walk in your native bush and stand in amazing amazement at the sight of the magnificent mountain of Tarawera.
