Lake Tarawera

Travel Guide

Lake Tarawera featuring a beach as well as a small group of people
Lake Tarawera which includes a lake or waterhole
Lake Tarawera which includes a lake or waterhole and forests
Lake Tarawera featuring a lake or waterhole as well as a small group of people
Lake Tarawera featuring a lake or waterhole

Surrounded by picnic areas, camping spots and bushwalking trails, this scenic lake is a favourite holiday destination for New Zealanders.

The glassy waters of Lake Tarawera wrap themselves around one side of the infamous Mount Tarawera, a towering volcano with a tragic history. This is the largest of the lakes that surround the volcano, covering an enormous 41 square kilometres (16 square miles). Visit the lake to fish for rainbow trout, swim at its hot water beaches and hike its network of walking trails to reach campsites, picnic spots and cascading waterfalls. Tour operators in the area can facilitate your adventures but Lake Tarawera’s accessibility is what attracts its broad range of visitors.

Explore the area surrounding the lake on foot to discover the natural beauty of Lake Tarawera. Hiking trails traverse the park, with a high concentration of trailheads at the Tarawera Outlet. Embark on a 4-hour return trip to the Tarawera Falls to feel the thick mist generated by the cascading water. If you’re feeling more adventurous, trek to the Hot Water Beach Campsite. Bring ample water and food for the journey, which takes 6 hours each way. Reserve a campsite to avoid disappointment during the popular summer months.

Those not up for a 6-hour trek can still discover the campsites and picnic areas of Lake Terawera. Take a water taxi to reach Hot Water Beach and bathe in the warm shallows. The geothermic activity of the volcano has created pockets of heated water where you can relax with a warm soak.

Learn about the tragic historic of the Māori village of Te Wairoa, which was destroyed in the 19th century when the volcano erupted, forming the lake. Join a scenic boat tour to have landmarks pointed out to you.

Lake Terawara is located about 45 minutes from the Kawerau township by car. Obtain a permit prior to arriving at the lake. This service, along with tour operators and charter boats, can be arranged in Kawerau.

Rydges Rotorua

Rydges Rotorua

4.5 out of 5
10 Tryon Street, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
The price is ¥11,189 per night from Oct 30 to Oct 31
¥11,189
¥12,867 total
Oct 30 - Oct 31
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,033 reviews)
Excellent breakfast buffet. Large, spacious facility with clean, comfortable rooms and friendly staff for a reasonable price. It doesn’t get any better.

Reviewed on Oct 16, 2025

Rydges Rotorua
Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Millennium Hotel Rotorua

4.5 out of 5
1270 Hinemaru Street, Rotorua
The price is ¥16,601 per night from Oct 29 to Oct 30
¥16,601
¥19,092 total
Oct 29 - Oct 30
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,016 reviews)
Absolutely loved it. However we were not given the room we actually booked. We booked the superier king bed lakefacing. We got a room with 2 queen beds. They could not move us as had no lakefacing superier rooms available. Said Expedia double booked? Not a big deal but disappointing on our special ...

Reviewed on Oct 11, 2025

Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Arawa Park Hotel

Arawa Park Hotel

4 out of 5
272 Fenton St, Rotorua
The price is ¥10,976 per night from Oct 27 to Oct 28
¥10,976
¥12,623 total
Oct 27 - Oct 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,006 reviews)
Staff were friendly and we enjoyed our stay wish we booked more nights!

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2025

Arawa Park Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Tui Glen - Lake front bach with stunning views

Tui Glen - Lake front bach with stunning views

Lake Tarawera
Stay at this vacation home in Lake Tarawera. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and tennis courts. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (311 reviews)
Beautiful relaxing stay

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2025

Tui Glen - Lake front bach with stunning views
Boat Shed at Lake Tarawera - BACH OF THE YEAR

Boat Shed at Lake Tarawera - BACH OF THE YEAR

Lake Tarawera
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Lake Tarawera. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a garden. Popular attractions Lake Tarawera and Buried ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (156 reviews)
Fantastic stay. Property was clean and comfortable. Thank you.

Reviewed on Jun 3, 2025

Boat Shed at Lake Tarawera - BACH OF THE YEAR
Quest Rotorua Central

Quest Rotorua Central

4 out of 5
1192 Hinemoa Street, Rotorua
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,048 reviews)
We traveled for 18 days in Australia and NZ. Stayed at various places. This was the best. Friendly and helpful staff. Very clean. Roomy and well-appointed. Would recommend it to anyone traveling in the Rotorua area.

Reviewed on Oct 18, 2025

Quest Rotorua Central
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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