Tarawera Trail
The Tarawera Trail walk is gaining the reputation of being one of the most beautiful day walks in New Zealand. Added to this is the magical conclusion of a relaxing geothermal soak at Hot Water Beach at the end.
The Trail starts from the official car park 400m before the Buried Village (Approximately 15 minutes from Rotorua) and runs mainly lake-edge for 15km to Hot Water Beach. If you walk to Hot Water Beach (approximately 4-5hrs) and take the water taxi back, we will return you to the carpark by our FREE shuttle service. If you choose to water taxi over and walk out, we will pick you up from the car park and FREE shuttle you to the boat. Make sure you check shuttle when you book.
As you walk you will sense the awesome presence of the now ‘sleeping’ Mount Tarawera and enjoy the ever-changing glimpses of the Lake and its Bays along the way. Every bend reveals another dimension to this breath-taking scenery. You will pass historic sites and past settlements, cross spring-fed streams teeming with trout in the spawning season, walk under Rata and Pohutakawa trees, shaded by groves of giant Mamaku ferns. Take a short stop at isolated beaches with crystal clear water lapping at the shore or indulge yourself by passing some time at the lookouts and inlets that offer stunning views of Lake Rotomahana, as well as the many dips and valleys of the lands surrounding Lake Tarawera.
Most people take between 4 to 5 hours to walk the Trail and there is signage along the Trail that outline the distance and walking time between each landmark.
The Lake Tarawera Water Taxi is the only dedicated water taxi service that picks walkers up from Hot Water Beach.
We offer a FREE shuttle service between Kariri Point Reserve and the Tarawera Trail Car Park either before or after your Tarawera Trail walk.
If you are taking the water taxi to Hot Water Beach to walk out the Tarawera Trail, check shuttle required, so we can pick you up from the Trail Car Park and bring you down to the boat for departure. You must be at the car park 15 minutes prior to the boat leaving.
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL – if we have no bookings the Water Taxi does not operate.
Click here to download a printable trail map and trail altitude profile
The Lake Tarawera Water Taxi is the sole dedicated water taxi service at Lake Tarawera.
