"Mount Tarawera" Lake Tarawera by kiwi

Lake Tarawera Travel Guide: 1 reviews and 5 photos

A volcano reveals it's heart.

Back in 1886 Mt Tarawera erupted causing all sorts of devastation in the Rotorua area. Now it is possible to visit the crater, even jumping into it! Catch a local tour or drive yourself to the bottom of the mountain and walk up. Either way, you must have a permit to do this. Only 4WD vehicles can drive up the mountain, so catching an organised tour is usually your best option.
The whole trip is possible in one day, just a few hours if by helicopter!
Some people are happy to trek to the edge of the crater and just look into it, but by far the most fun thing to do is walk around the edge to the point where you can jump over the side and “run” down the scree sloped into the heart of the crater.

JUMP!

Scree jump

If this was solid ground you could never run down here. But it is soft, small pebbles that your feet sink into whereby it "holds" you up and allows you to remain upright. This is a very lot of fun and lots of screams! If you want to stop, you have to lie down.

Going Down>>>>>!!

Gone!

It is very steep, but once you get going and have faith in what you are doing, then you just boogey on down.
It's a long way down!
Look way down the bottom of the crater and see my little daughter who took off!!!!

At the Top Looking over the edge!

Crater's edge.

It can be pretty spooky looking over the edge, but this is a very popular trip for New Zealand school groups like this one.

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:Climb a volcano and visit the Lake, Same day.

Intro Written Sep 8, 2002
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (1)

Mt Tarawera Volcanic Crater - Lake Tarawera

It's a long climb back out! Tourist Traps (1)

If you do get to jump into the crater, remember to conserve energy for the long walk out! And be sure to take water with... more travel advice

Have you been to Lake Tarawera? Share your travels with the world!

Comments (5)

Reply
- Report abuse
XenoHumph Feb 8, 2013 at 11:33 AM

Beautiful volcano!
Reply
- Report abuse
angiebabe Jan 27, 2008 at 2:33 AM

Stunning photos Pam, yes youre one intrepid traveller!
Reply
- Report abuse
asturnut Jan 12, 2005 at 1:46 AM

No waaaaaaay would I jump into a volcanic crater that has had activity in recent memory. You ARE a brave women for sure!
Reply
- Report abuse
Monique_T May 10, 2003 at 4:51 AM

Great pictures, would love to visit one day.
Reply
- Report abuse
craic Apr 20, 2003 at 8:31 AM

Oh oh oh oh oh. May have to pause and have a glass of wine. Getting homesick!