Lake Tarawera Cultural Eco Tours, Water Taxi, Hiking Trails and Glamping
Immerse yourself in a place of wonder and beauty through our range of guided and unguided experiences.
Take a water taxi to stunning Hot Water Beach, hike the famous Tarawera Trail, take a journey of cultural discovery with our exclusive Ancestral Footprints Tour or spend a few nights at our luxury glamping site.
Tarawera Trail
The Tarawera Trail at Lake Tarawera, Rotorua is becoming known as one of New Zealand’s most stunning day walks in New Zealand. This 15 km walk takes you through beautiful lake edge forest, crossing natural flowing springs with access along the way to sandy swimming beaches. The real highlight being the rewarding geothermal lake swim at the end of your walk. Book the water taxi return so you can enjoy the full range of stunning lake views.
NEW: Download before you go, the FREE Tarawera Trail Story App from Apple Store or Google Play, to get the fascinating stories, histories and ecology of this area along your walk. The stories unfold along the trail and continues on the returning water taxi.
4.5hrs – 5hrs (average) one way
Walk to Hot Water Beach (HWB) or walk back. Trail car park is south of the Buried Village. Van shuttle available. Walk easy to moderate.
- Water Taxi to HWB 9am 12pm 2.30pm
- Returning from HWB 9.30am 12.30pm 3.00pm
- Group rates available.
- Pre-booking is essential.
Tarawera Falls Walk
The Tarawera Falls walk is a secret that will take your breath away as it is rated by DOC as one of the best short walks in New Zealand. This is a 3.4hrs return walk with a 20 minute each way water taxi ride across Lake Tarawera.
- 3.5hrs (average) return walk
- Departs 9.00am. Returns 1.00pm
- Group rates available.
- Pre-booking is essential.
Ultimate Day Out
This is a combination of the Tarawera Falls walk followed by a water taxi excursion to Hot Water Beach and a natural hot pool for a well-deserved soak. Along the way we will share the stories and history of this amazing area. This is a full day package.
- Full Day Tour
- Group rates available.
- Pre-booking is essential.
Discovery Eco and Cultural Tour
Journey deep into the history, culture and natural wonders of the Tarawera region with an unforgettable guided tour. Your guide will enthrall, educate and amuse you with tales of Tarawera’s history and legends, and you’ll enjoy a unique combination of Maori culture, geothermal and ecological elements throughout. Our Culture & Eco tour offers the opportunity to savour a superb blend of beauty, history and culture in a real and authentic way. Includes a visit to Hot Water Beach and a natural hot pool
soak.
- 2 hour Tour
- 10am departure
- Group rates available.
- Pre-booking is essential.
Ancestral Footprints
A full day personally guided in-depth, cultural experience, that includes a Lake Tarawera boat excursion that includes a geothermal Hot Water Beach stopover and the option for natural hot pool soak. This is followed by a visit to Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village in Rotorua the guides own tribal village. This journey follows the trail of the local Maori ancestors.
Includes full day guide, transport, water taxi, entrance fees and extensive lunch menu.
- Full Day Tour
- 9.30am departure
- Pre-booking is essential.
Lake Tarawera Private Boat Charter
Offering unforgettable corporate, wedding or private group options. Let us tailor make something your guests, colleagues or clients will love. For something outside of the ordinary, our charter cruises offer a unique experience tailored exactly to your needs. Whether you want to take friends and family to Hot Water Beach for a swim, or fancy a floating picnic for a work event, Totally Tarawera offer complete flexibility to make your day unforgettable.
Some highlights include:
- Relax and enjoy the stunning scenery
- 1, 2 or 3 hour tour on lake.
- Share historical & cultural Story
- Hot Water Beach stopover and swim
- Capacity 60 people
Perfect for:
- Private functions
- Corporate
- Educational Groups
- Schools
Hot Water Beach – Te Rata Bay
Te Rata is a very special place. It’s right in the very heart of the thermal Rotorua district. Steam rises sleepily from the lake edge – the result of a hot thermal spring trickling into the lake water. The sand on part of Hot Water Beach heats up to 86 degrees – hot enough to cook a meal ‘hangi-style’ beneath the surface. Be aware that during the busy season, there will be campers at the DOC campsite and you will share hot water beach itself, with those campers. Stay a few hours or all day. Take a picnic, stay the night. Drop off and pick ups at our
standard times.
- Water Taxi to HWB, 9am, 12pm, 2.30pm
- Returning from HWB 9.30am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm
- Group rates and other times available for groups.
- Pre-booking is essential.
Camp Gear Transport to and from Hot Water Beach
- Packs
- Separate tent
- Unaccompanied camping gear will incur a handling fee.
- Pre-booking is essential and conditions apply.
Glamping at Kanuka
This is a completely off grid glamping site, located in native forest on the edge of Lake Tarawera, 15km out of Rotorua. You get transported by boat there and return so you feel like to are adventuring to your own island. Themed around Maori Culture, Kanuka has all the facilities for a relaxing luxury stay away from the normal pressures of life. Swim in the pristine water at your door step, or just relax on the beach and read a book. For a little more adventure, walk to the natural hot pool for a thermal soak, take out the double canoe and explore the beautiful bay or book a tour to the Tarawera Falls. Kanuka blends with nature as will you. Book a Maori infused, breakfast or dinner hamper.
- Off grid, so no 240v power
- Contact us for more details
