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.

Tarawera Trail

4.5hrs (average) one way

Walk to Hot Water Beach (HWB) or walk back. Trail car park is south of the Buried Village. Shuttle available. Walk easy to moderate.

Water Taxi Drop Off to Tarawera Trail, Te Rata Bay 9am 12pm 3pm
Water Taxi Pick Up from Te Rata Bay – in front of Hot Water Beach Camp 9.30am 12.30pm 3.30pm
Cost: $35 Adults $25 children 5-12yrs. $5 Infants Group rates available.
Pre-booking is essential.

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Hot Water Beach

Stay a few hours or all day. Take a picnic, stay the night.
Dropoff and pickups at our standard times.

Water Taxi to Hot Water Beach Camp 9am 12pm 3pm
Water Taxi from Hot Water Beach Camp 9.30am 12.30pm 3.30pm
Cost Return: $40 Adults, $30 children 5-12yrs. $10 Under 5yrs 15 Group rates and other times available for groups.
Gear transport: $10/ backpacks / chillybin. $25 handling fee for unaccompanied camp gear.
Pre-booking is essential.

Camping – Hot Water Beach

Stay the night. Campsite bookings are essential. If you have not pre-booked, you WILL NOT be allowed to camp at Hot Water Beach.

We can take you and your camping gear or just your camping gear, if you are walking in to HWB.

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Camp Gear Transport

Packs $10/pack
Separate tent $15/tent
Unaccompanied camping gear will incur a $25 handling fee.

Water Taxi Hot Water Beach Return Start 9am and return at 12:30pm or
9am and return at 3.30pm or water taxi at 12pm and return at 3:30pm
Return fare: $60 Adults, $45 children 5-12yrs. $15 Under 5yrs (conditions apply)

Pre-booking is essential and conditions apply.

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  • "Our hiking group really enjoyed the Tarewera Trail and the excellent service of the taxi boat. The taxi arrive on time and the shuttle to the car park was waiting for us in Tarawera landing, it was a really nice trip. The staff was very friendly." - Javier R
    Excellent service. Highly recommended   -   August 2021
  • "Excellent service and we were picked up on time. Free shuttle service from the landing to the car park. Friendly staff." - Ronil P
    Excellent   -   August 2021
  • "Great service that was easy to book. The taxi arrived in good time at Hot Water Beach and the shuttle was waiting after the journey to take us back to the car park. I feel confident to use the service again for other trips on the lake!" - Jane F
    Great Service   -   July 2021
  • "Brilliant service, fast comfortable boat, Captain Dave very informative, really useful pick-up from the Tarawera Trail carpark."  - Chris Tyler
    Exceptional Service, Lovely Bush Walk, Hot Pools   -   July 2021
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