Tarawera Trail and Water Taxi

The Tarawera Trail walk is fast gaining the reputation of being one of the most beautiful day walks in New Zealand.  The trail ends with the magical conclusion of a relaxing geothermal soak at Hot Water Beach

The Trail begins from the official car park 400m before the Buried Village (15 minutes from Rotorua) and runs mainly lake-edge for 15km to Hot Water Beach.

During the walk you will sense the presence of the now ‘sleeping’ Mount Tarawera and enjoy the changing glimpses of the Lake and its Bays along the way.  You will pass historic sites and past settlements, cross spring-fed streams teeming with trout in the spawning season, walk under Rata and Pohutakawa trees, shaded by groves of giant Mamaku fern.

If you walk to Hot Water Beach (4 to 5hrs) and take the water taxi back, you can return to the carpark by the FREE shuttle service.  If you choose to water taxi over and walk out, we will pick you up from the car park and FREE shuttle you to the boat.

Lake Tarawera Water Taxi is an all-weather, 14 seat boat that provides quick and comfortable excursions on Lake Tarawera. It is the only dedicated water taxi service that picks walkers up from Hot Water Beach.

Bookings are essential.  If there are no bookings the Water Taxi does not operate.

Scheduled Water Taxi Times:

Water Taxi to Hot Water Beach:  9.00am, 12.00pm, 2.30pm
Return from Hot Water Beach:  9.30am, 12.30pm, 3.00pm