The 1886 eruption, which killed 153 people and raised the lake surface by 12m, shaped the
Tarawera landscape. The lake drains eastward through the Tarawera River, over spectacular
falls. The reserve contains walking tracks and many recreational and cultural sites,
including those at Tarawera Landing, The Orchard, Humphries Bay and Hot Water Beach.

How to Get There

The Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve has a variety of access points where a range of activities
may be enjoyed. Vehicle access to Tarawera Falls and the Outlet is through Kawerau and along
forest roads, which require an access permit. Permits are $2.50 from Kawerau Information Centre located in Plunkett St, Kawerau; phone 07 323 7550. The centre is open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm,
Sat 9am-3pm, and Sundays and public holidays 9am-1pm).The forest road may be closed in summer when fire risk is high.



Attractions and Facilities

Tarawera Landing & The Orchard

Tarawera Landing is 8km from Rotorua via Tarawera Road,off Te Ngae Road. The Landing is the
departure point for scenic boat tours. There is a café beside the carpark. Five minutes walk
from the Landing, at Tarawera Orchard, are traditional Maori paintings on a rock face. Please
do not disturb this archaeological site.


Humphries Bay

At the southern end of Lake Tarawera,Humphries Bay is a pleasant picnic and camping spot
accessible by boat or along the Northern Tarawera Track, a moderate tramping track from
the Tarawera Outlet.


Hot Water Beach

Natural hot springs under the sand provide a relaxing, warm swim. Hot Water Beach, on the
northern arm of Lake Tarawera, is accessible by boat. Caution: Localised patches of sand
are very hot.


Tarawera Falls Track

(Easy walking track, accessible for pushchairs.40 minutes return)
The track runs from Waterfall Road carpark to the spectacular falls, where water surges out
of fissures in a high cliff face. Return the same way.Tarawera Outlet to Falls Track
(Moderate walking track, 4 hrs return. Supervise children closely, due to steep cliff edges
beside the track above the fast-flowing river). The track runs between the Waterfall Road
carpark and the Outlet swing bridge. The river disappears underground at several places
before re-emerging through fissures in the cliff at the Falls.From the viewing area at the
base of the Falls the track zig-zags up a steep escarpment towards the Outlet. Picnic areas
are numerous. They include a beautiful spot beside the Tarawera River, 100m back along Water
fall Road from the carpark. Camping is permitted only at Tarawera Outlet and Hot Water Beach
and at a small, informal campsite at Humphries Bay, where camping is restricted to one night
and is only for visitors arriving on foot or by kayak.Public jetties are at Tarawera
Landing, Tarawera Outlet, Boatshed Bay and Rapatu Bay.Boat ramps are at Tarawera Landing,
BoatshedBay, Stony Point and a beach boat ramp at Tarawera Outlet.Public toilets are
provided at most boating access points and camping areas, and at the Waterfall Road
carpark.



Please Remember


Dogs, horses, vehicles (including bikes and motorbikes), fires, removal of plants or animals,
camping outside designated areas and hunting without a permit are not permitted. Campers
are advised to use gas cookers.