Mount Tarawera Volcano

Address: Mount Tarawera, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand

Mount Tarawera is a volcanic massif in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty Region, known primarily for a major eruption in 1886 that altered the landscape and regional geothermal systems. The eruption destroyed nearby Māori settlements and the famous Pink and White Terraces.

The mountain features multiple craters and an extensive rift zone. Hikers and guided tours commonly reach viewpoints on the rim and explore nearby geothermal areas such as the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley; Lake Tarawera lies on the northern side and is a frequent base for excursions. Several walking tracks range from short lookouts to full-day hikes along the ridge and down to lakeside points.

The massif is a product of repeated volcanic activity with the most famous event on 10 June 1886 when a violent eruption opened a fissure across the mountain and created new craters and geothermal features. The event buried settlements and the silica terraces that were a major tourist attraction of the 19th century.

Mount Tarawera sits roughly east of Rotorua in the central North Island, within a mixed forest and lake landscape. The area around the mountain is part of a wider geothermal region that includes several lakes and thermal valleys.

• 1886 eruption: The 1886 eruption produced a long fissure across the mountain and buried the famous Pink and White Terraces that once lay on Lake Tarawera’s shore.
• Access and conditions: Guided walking tracks and 4WD routes lead to summit lookouts offering panoramic views over Rotorua and the surrounding lakes; weather can change quickly so sturdy footwear and warm layers are recommended.

What to See#

• Tarawera Rift and craters: A volcanic rift and multiple crater zones including the main summit crater and the Waimangu geothermal valley, which lies on the northern slopes and was reshaped by the 1886 eruption.
• Lake Tarawera: Lake Tarawera on the northern flank, which lies at the foot of the mountain and is the historic location of the lost Pink and White Terraces.
• Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley: Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley, a geothermal area created after the 1886 eruption with hot springs and steam vents, accessible by short walks and boat trips.

Mount Tarawera is reached from Rotorua (about 30-60 minutes by car). Tours and guided hikes depart Rotorua regularly and include transport to trailheads and the Tarawera lakes region.

• If exploring the Tarawera lakes and eruption sites, consider a guided tour-local guides offer safer, knowledgeable routes and historical context.
• Early morning or late afternoon light brings out color in the volcanic landscape; avoid mid-day when steam and haze reduce visibility.