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Lake Tarawera

Lake Tarawera, Rotorua 3076, New Zealand ★★★★☆ 150 views
Sienna Malone
Rotorua
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About Lake Tarawera

Lake Tarawera - Rotorua | Secret World Trip Planner

Lake Tarawera (meaning ‘burnt spear’)- is one of many in the area of ​​craters of extinct volcanoes filled with water and surrounded by subtropical forest. The lake is located in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand, near Rotorua. The 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera drastically changed the area around the Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve. Steam and hot water, periodically poured into the lake, forming a kind of natural hot pool, creating a landscape typical of the period of the dinosaurs.

Here you can ride a foggy night on a small boat or boat for two, take a hot bath or stay active and go swimming on kayaks, and after an overnight stay on the shore of "hot sand."

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Suggested itinerary near Lake Tarawera

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500.000+ travelers worldwide
  1. 🌅
    Morning
    Lake Tarawera
    📍 Rotorua
  2. ☀️
    Afternoon
    Rotorua district: hot springs, mud pools and geysers
    📍 5.4 km · Rotorua
  3. 🌆
    Evening
    Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Geothermal Springs by the Lake
    📍 13.4 km · Rotorua

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Frequently Asked Questions

Lake Tarawera was dramatically transformed by the catastrophic 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera, which drastically changed the surrounding landscape. The lake's name means 'burnt spear' in Māori, reflecting this volcanic heritage and making it one of the most geologically significant crater lakes in the North Island of New Zealand.
Lake Tarawera offers diverse activities including night boat rides through the mist, hot water bathing in natural pools created by geothermal steam, kayaking, and swimming. You can also experience the unique 'hot sand' along the shore, making it an ideal destination for both relaxation and adventure.
Lake Tarawera is situated in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand, near the town of Rotorua, making it easily accessible for visitors exploring the region's volcanic attractions. The lake is part of the Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve, which protects the area's natural beauty and geothermal features.
Lake Tarawera is unique because it's a crater lake of an extinct volcano surrounded by subtropical forest, with active geothermal features including steam and hot water that periodically flow into the lake. These natural hot pools create a prehistoric, dinosaur-era landscape that is rare and distinctive among New Zealand's lakes.
Yes, you can stay overnight on the shore of Lake Tarawera, where you can experience sleeping near the unique 'hot sand' heated by geothermal activity. This overnight stay offers a truly immersive experience of the lake's volcanic and thermal characteristics.