What to do in Lake Tarawera

Activities, attractions and tours

A beach with people, a caravan, and parked cars.
A wooden pier extending into a calm body of water with a mountain in the background.
A lush green hillside with dense vegetation and a clear blue sky.
A group of people on a wooden dock extending into a lake, with a boat and forested hills in the background.
A green, rusted off-road vehicle parked by a lake with a surfboard on top.

Lake Tarawera Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Lake Tarawera has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Lake Tarawera is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Lake Tarawera to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Lake Tarawera Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Lake Tarawera.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Lake Tarawera attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Things to do

Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour

Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour

CA $103
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour
3Mirage 360 Degree Immersion Virtual Experience

3Mirage 360 Degree Immersion Virtual Experience

CA $32
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
3Mirage 360 Degree Immersion Virtual Experience
Te Ra Guided Experience

Te Ra Guided Experience

CA $87
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Te Ra Guided Experience
Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Deluxe Lake Spa Hot Spring Bathing

Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Deluxe Lake Spa Hot Spring Bathing

CA $70
per adult
Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Deluxe Lake Spa Hot Spring Bathing
Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas

Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas

CA $74
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas
Redwoods Altitude High Ropes & Ziplines + Glowworms, Rotorua

Redwoods Altitude High Ropes & Ziplines + Glowworms, Rotorua

CA $96
per adult
Redwoods Altitude High Ropes & Ziplines + Glowworms, Rotorua
The Hell's Gate Experience

The Hell's Gate Experience

CA $95
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
The Hell's Gate Experience
1-Day Rotorua Tour from Auckland with Options

Rotorua Tour from Auckland with Optional Extras

CA $380
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Rotorua Tour from Auckland with Optional Extras
Rotorua: Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio

Rotorua: Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio

CA $37
per adult
Rotorua: Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio
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Top places to visit

1. Polynesian Spa

Located adjacent to beautiful Lake Rotorua, the steaming baths of the Polynesian Spa are the perfect place to destress. Soak in steamy, cleansing water while you gaze out across the pristine lake. Escape to your very own private pool or play on the slides in the large family area.
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A serene hot spring surrounded by rocks and greenery, with a view of distant hills and a body of water.

2. Skyline Rotorua

Skyline Rotorua cable car carries passengers up Mount Ngongotaha to a height of 487 metres (1,598 feet). Admiring the views isn’t the only thing to do at the summit. Sip a coffee in the café, fly over dense forest on the zip line or steer down the steep luge course.
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A cable car over a town with a lake and mountains in the background.

3. Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest

Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest is a tranquil woodland park crisscrossed by trekking and biking trails. Set off on a hike past thermal ponds and geysers or admire eucalyptus trees and immense Californian Redwoods while horseback riding.
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A mountain biker navigating a dirt trail through a forest with tall trees.

4. Lake Rotorua

Visit Lake Rotorua and you will find no shortage of things to do. Swim in the calm, clear waters by the city’s edge or set off on foot in search of your own private bay. Kayak to mystical Mokoia Island or sit back and relax on a boat cruise.
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A lake with steam rising from the water, surrounded by a flock of seagulls on the shore and hills in the background.

5. Lake Rotoiti

Take in views of forest-fringed waters, shimmering glow worm caves and the Southern Alps at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Surrounded by towering mountains, all the lakes in this park were carved out by glaciers over thousands of years and have remained largely untouched. As well as making for a spectacular landscape, this has also allowed native wildlife to thrive.
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A boat on a calm river surrounded by rolling hills and dense trees.

6. Mitai Maori Village

The Mitai Māori Village gives you and your family the chance to experience Māori food, art and traditions. The tours are not only educational, they are also very impressive and enjoyable.
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A group of people observing a ritual in a lush, green forest with a river.

7. Lake Tarawera

Watersports and jaw-dropping natural beauty feature at beautiful Lake Tarawera. This is one of New Zealand’s largest lakes and a superb place to enjoy boating, fishing and hiking activities. Once home to a collection of Māori settlements, tragedy struck Lake Tarawera in 1886 when the peaks of Mount Tarawera erupted and buried the communities. The eruptions rose the lake by around 39 feet (12 meters) and left behind an area of tranquil landscapes.
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A coastal landscape with a large body of water, dense green vegetation, and a mountain range in the background.

8. Buried Village

Preserved by the volcanic ash from an eruption, the Buried Village of Te Wairoa offers a fascinating insight into life in 19th-century New Zealand. Peer into the remains of old houses and factories, visit the stunning waterfall at the site and find out just how the nearby volcano caused such lasting damage.
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A rustic wooden structure surrounded by dense forest.

What to do in Lake Tarawera

Stay near popular Lake Tarawera attractions

Buried Village

9.0/10 (2 reviews)
Entombed by the eruption of a brutal volcano, this historic village has been perfectly preserved for more than 100 years.
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Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Lake Tarawera

A geothermal area with a green pool, an orange rim, and steam rising from the water.

Rotorua

A lake with a wooden dock extending into the water, surrounded by mountains and a cloudy sky.

Lake Okataina

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Tarawera worth visiting?
Whether you plan to experience the local charm and cultural hotspots or try regional foods and go on outdoor adventures, there are many things to do in Lake Tarawera.
How do I spend a day in Lake Tarawera?
Sulphur Point and Te Amorangi Museum are two awesome places to kick-start your vacation adventures. Remember to explore the shopping and dining options in Lake Tarawera while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Lake Tarawera?
Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre is one of the top tourist attractions in Lake Tarawera and deserves a spot on every sightseeing itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Lake Tarawera?
If you only want to enjoy the leading attractions, three days is more than enough time for a vacation in Lake Tarawera. Book for a week or longer for the chance to really experience the local vibe, visit nearby hotspots and explore some hidden gems.
What are some activities to do in Lake Tarawera with kids?
Whether you're travelling with tiny adventurers or hard-to-please teens, an itinerary filled with cool activities sets the tone for a great escape. Take a look at our recommendations for what to do in Lake Tarawera with kids.

What to do in Lake Tarawera for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or outdoor explorer, there are lots of things to do in Lake Tarawera for adults.
Are there free things to do in Lake Tarawera?
From checking out parks to wandering around vibrant neighbourhoods, it's easy to discover free things to do in Lake Tarawera. If you're stuck for ideas, ask a local tour guide for some tips. Redwoods Gift Shop & Visitor Centre is a must for anyone planning to save on their sightseeing adventures.