WHY TOTALLY TARAWERA
Totally Tarawera is a whānau (family) owned and operated business here at Lake Tarawera in Rotorua, Aotearoa (New Zealand). We take great pride in warmly welcoming manuhiri (visitors) to our experiences. Manaakitanga (hospitality) is one of the core values that drives the way we do business, especially on our own tribal lands here at Tarawera. As hosts we care for our customers and our team as our own whānau.
We provide a range of cultural and geothermal experiences, lake cruises and water taxi services to the many walking trails and the Department of Conservation’s Hot Water Beach camp site. We also have 2 glamping (glamorous camping) sites that extend the cultural experience – these are located in stunning locations around the lake.
Our tourism roots extend back to a time when our ancestors guided many of the first Europeans coming to visit New Zealand’s original tourist attraction, the Pink and White Terraces, considered the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Tourism allows us to host manuhiri (guests) reconnect with our roto (lakes) ngā maunga (mountain) and provide lasting memories for our customers.
Our story-telling experiences help us share one of our tribe’s most precious gifts – our stories and our traditions.
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri, ā muri ake nei
“For us and our children after us”
A few good reasons to choose us:
Family Owned Tourism Business since 2011
The family tourism story actually began much earlier with the establishment of tourism in New Zealand in the 1860’s. It all started with our ancestors hosting and guiding tourists to the then “Eighth Wonder of the World”, The Pink and White Terraces. Visitors were hosted overnight and then rowed across Lake Tarawera to reach the Terraces located on the edge of what is now known as Lake Rotomahana.
This all came to a sudden and devastating end with the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886. The eruption not only totally destroyed the Terraces, but took the lives of many of our families living in the area of Lake Tarawera here in Rotorua
Today we continue their dream of sharing the spectacular wilderness and stories with our visitors. We, the next generation, are stepping into our elders’ footprints to carry on their legacy.
Local Experts & Recommended by Travelers
Because of our deep connection to Tarawera, we have a vast local knowledge and a passion for sharing our story in the most authentic way possible.
We are based At Lake Tarawera. ….our contact details.
We’re recommended by travelers from across the globe – just read our Trip Advisor reviews and recommendations.
Trip Advisor Awards
For the last 5 years we have been awarded ‘Certificate of Excellence’ awards by Trip Advisor.
Conservation & Community
We dedicate a lot of time to conservation work in our area on both Department of Conservation and our local Maori land in the Tarawera area. Our pledge is to be held in the highest regard by our staff and our communities where we live and work. In past years we’ve helped create many conservation and community initiatives.
Read more about our Community work and Conservation.(Go to conservation Projects)
Sponsorship & Community
“He tangata, he tangata, he tangata”
“What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.”
(Maori proverb)
Our guests tell us that it is our people who make their experiences unforgettable.
OUR MOST POPULAR EXPERIENCES
Find Us
on Maps
We are located in Mariners House, on Tarawera Road, above The Landing Cafe.
It’s around a 15 minute drive from Rotorua Central, past the Redwood Forest and Blue Lake.
Mariners House, Tarawera Road,
Lake Tarawera, Rotorua, New Zealand
Latitiude: -38.20624787242264
Longitude: 176.37411476760258
info@totallytarawera.com
+64 7 362 8080