Lake Tarawera Lake
Volcanic lake near Rotorua, site of notable eruptions
Near Rotorua, Lake Tarawera sits below Mount Tarawera; visitors come for boat trips, trout fishing, lakeside walks and access to volcanic craters and nearby thermal areas.
Lake Tarawera at a Glance#
About Lake Tarawera#
Lake Tarawera is a volcanic lake in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand, located in a landscape of recent volcanic activity near the town of Rotorua. The lake and surrounding area lie in a geothermal and volcanic zone that includes vents, fissures and nearby rhyolitic cones.
Popular activities include trout fishing, boating and lakeside walks, with visitor facilities and boat ramps on the shore. The lake contains several bays and smaller basins and is used by anglers and recreational boaters.
The area was profoundly affected by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera, which opened a long fissure of vents and destroyed the nearby natural features known as the Pink and White Terraces. That eruption changed shorelines and local topography and remains a defining historical event for the lake.
The lake lies within the Tarawera volcanic complex in the Bay of Plenty, east of Rotorua, and is accessible from regional roads and visitor centers in the Rotorua area.
- 1886 eruption: A major eruption in 1886 dramatically altered the area and destroyed the famous Pink and White Terraces that had been nearby.
- Recreation: The lake is a popular spot for trout fishing and for boating on the larger lake basins in the Tarawera system.
What to See#
- Mount Tarawera: The volcano that shares the lake’s name and was the site of a major eruption in 1886 that reshaped the local landscape and destroyed the nearby Pink and White Terraces.
How to Get to Lake Tarawera#
Lake Tarawera is about 20-30 minutes by car east of Rotorua along State Highway 30. Boats and guided tours depart from several access points including Motutara and Te Wairoa landing areas. The nearest airport is Rotorua (ROT) with flights from Auckland and Wellington.
Tips for Visiting Lake Tarawera#
- Arrive early for boat trips to view the Tarawera fissures and to avoid afternoon clouds that can obscure views.
- Combine a visit with the nearby Te Wairoa archaeological site (the buried village of the 1886 eruption) for historical context.
- Book guided bush or boat tours-local operators can take visitors to viewpoints and explain the 1886 eruption's impacts.
Best Time to Visit Lake Tarawera#
Lake Tarawera in New Zealand's North Island is best in summer for clear weather and boat access; shoulder seasons offer quieter visits with good visibility for geology.
Weather & Climate near Lake Tarawera#
Lake Tarawera's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 4°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1510 mm/year), wettest in March, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 13° - 22° | 17° | 105 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 13° - 22° | 18° | 103 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 12° - 21° | 16° | 158 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 9° - 18° | 14° | 111 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 6° - 15° | 11° | 120 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 5° - 13° | 7° | 142 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 4° - 12° | 6° | 125 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 5° - 13° | 6° | 132 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 6° - 14° | 8° | 134 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 8° - 16° | 12° | 128 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 9° - 18° | 14° | 119 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 11° - 20° | 16° | 133 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
