Mt. Tarawera
Mt. Tarawera
4.5
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4.5
118 reviews
Excellent
83
Very good
29
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Geoff M
Sydney, Australia17 contributions
Feb 2020
We took the 30 minute float plane flight from Rotorua out over Mt Tarawera and it was amazing. Every seat in the plane has a perfect view and it flies slow enough that you don't miss anything and you get great picture ops. Thoroughly recommend to anyone wanting to get a great overview of the whole Rotorua geothermal area.
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sgorin79
San Diego, CA18 contributions
In September 2005, my boyfriend and I had the opportunity to visit Mt. Tarawera and the experience was simply amazing. With three hike/climb options varying in difficulty, most any fitness level can be accommodated. We did the longest and most difficult but the views really made the extra effort worthwhile. Since access is limited to one tour operator you often feel like you have the mountain to yourself. The organization is extremely environmentally conscious and their efforts to preserve the land for its Maori owners is quite evident. In my opinion the best part of this overall excellent experience is not the invigorating hike up or the spectacular views from the top but the scree into the basin...This is an experience like no other as you "float" through volcanic rocks sometimes nearly up to your knees. I highly recommend taking the time to visit Mt Tarawera!
Written 9 October 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maurice C
Taree, Australia233 contributions
June 2014 • Friends
We started out from Wai O Tapu area , walking thr Waimangu thermal area, camped on Lake Tarawera overnight and hit the mountain the next day. Really steep workout up the scoria slope. Fantastic views of the crater and the lakes from the top. enjoy the down part by 'sking' the scoria. Have good boots and prepare for windy conditions.
Written 27 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
raparapahoe
Bay of Plenty18 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
Its about time there was another public outcry over the lack of access to this iconic mountain. Its part of us kiwi’s heritage, part of who we are.
We all loved to visit the place until 2002 when all us locals were banned from entry from two local maori tribes who claimed ownership and decided to shut the access off!
This is such a shame.
Our kids always ask me about the mountain and they are so gutted that they can never see it, as they, like me and most the community think its unfair that we would have to spend $1000 per family to visit it!!!
We all loved to visit the place until 2002 when all us locals were banned from entry from two local maori tribes who claimed ownership and decided to shut the access off!
This is such a shame.
Our kids always ask me about the mountain and they are so gutted that they can never see it, as they, like me and most the community think its unfair that we would have to spend $1000 per family to visit it!!!
Written 18 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter P
London, UK16 contributions
Used to be able to drive up... fun 4WD country. Nowadays controlled access by the 'owners' who do little other than rip the tourists off....
Written 24 December 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cynders2014
Auckland, New Zealand97 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
We have been coming to Tarawera for the last few years. It is worth a visit. Not far from Rotorua. You can go down to the landing where there a couple of very short walks to see ancient cave drawings or see the trout swimming. Otherwise you can drive a bit further to boat shed bay for another short walk.
Just watching the mountain is spectacular. It keeps changing
Just watching the mountain is spectacular. It keeps changing
Written 26 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lorna f
Edmonton, Canada123 contributions
Jan 2013 • Solo
I took a guided tour of Mt. Tarawere (inactive) Volcano one afternoon. This area is protected and can only be visited with a registered guide. We screed down into the valley, walked along the volcano floor and then climbed out at the far end. Lovely scenery, great views.
Written 28 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OzeeTraveller
Forster, Australia848 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
We went for a Mt Tarawera tour with Kaitiaki adventures. It was well worth the cost.
Firstly they pick you up from you accomodation, then a 45 minute drive to the base of the volcano, then another 25 minute 4wd trip up the mountain. Very bumpy, (sit at the front of the bus if you get car sick). Short toilet stop then onto the mountain.
It's not a lot of walking but it is quite steep and some scrambling up rocks so you do need moderate fitness. Also probably wouldn't recommend if you are afraid of heights as you are up fairly high, then a scree run down into the centre of the volcano.
I chose not to do the scree run which was fine, you just need to go back the way you came. The hardest bit is probably the walk out of the crater where the ground is really soft and uneven.
The views are incredible and the volcano itself is amazing. Our guides Kayla and Hemi were great. Very friendly and knowledgeable about the mountain, and Kayla did a great job driving up the 4wd track.
The reason i didn't give 5 stars is that i sent 2 emails earlier to ask about the tour and neither were answered which is a bit annoying
Firstly they pick you up from you accomodation, then a 45 minute drive to the base of the volcano, then another 25 minute 4wd trip up the mountain. Very bumpy, (sit at the front of the bus if you get car sick). Short toilet stop then onto the mountain.
It's not a lot of walking but it is quite steep and some scrambling up rocks so you do need moderate fitness. Also probably wouldn't recommend if you are afraid of heights as you are up fairly high, then a scree run down into the centre of the volcano.
I chose not to do the scree run which was fine, you just need to go back the way you came. The hardest bit is probably the walk out of the crater where the ground is really soft and uneven.
The views are incredible and the volcano itself is amazing. Our guides Kayla and Hemi were great. Very friendly and knowledgeable about the mountain, and Kayla did a great job driving up the 4wd track.
The reason i didn't give 5 stars is that i sent 2 emails earlier to ask about the tour and neither were answered which is a bit annoying
Written 6 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dik-mad-dog
Worksop, UK1,275 contributions
July 2017
This volcano was responsible for a massive eruption in 1886 which killed about 120 people.
That eruption and the consequences of it are now part of the warp and weft of tourism in this area which include Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the Buried Village of Te Wairoa or cruises on Lake Rotomahana. It also wiped out tourist attractions such as the world famous Pink and White Terraces.
If this volcano wakes up in a more populated time one can only imagine what more will be lost?
That eruption and the consequences of it are now part of the warp and weft of tourism in this area which include Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the Buried Village of Te Wairoa or cruises on Lake Rotomahana. It also wiped out tourist attractions such as the world famous Pink and White Terraces.
If this volcano wakes up in a more populated time one can only imagine what more will be lost?
Written 12 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HunnyP0t
Auckland, New Zealand43 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
Beautiful..worth the time...just go..relax, enjoy, take photos....amazing spot ....quiet, peaceful thought provoking..glad we took the time
Written 31 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does anyone know if there are places to use the toilet on the way? Even a bush is fine, just wondering if there is somewhere covered or if it’s all open. 4 hours is a long time to hold!!
Written 19 February 2019
HI EmmaSaraWilliams, there is a rest stop on the way up, about five minutes from the top carpark, we always stop there for people to make use of the toilets as there is very little cover on top of the mountain.
Written 26 July 2019
Does anyone know if there are places to use the toilet on the way? Even a bush is fine, just wondering if there is somewhere covered or if it’s all open. 4 hours is a long time to hold!!
Written 19 February 2019
Hello, can anyone tell me if there are toilets on the way to Mt Tarawera, possibly at the carpark?
Written 12 October 2017
Yes there is a toilet stop on the way up in the 4WDs
Written 5 June 2018
Hello, just wondering if there are any toilet stops on the Mt Tarawera crater walk or do you have to hold on for 4+ hours?
Written 16 September 2017
Us locals wouldn’t know as two Local Maori tribes claimed the mountain off New Zealand residents in the year 2000 & banned us from entry since 2002.
It’s the worst thing the government did in my lifetime.
We all went up there as kids, up the 4x4 track. All the school kids went each year too, it is part of who we are, but now we aren’t allowed to enjoy our heritage.
Written 18 February 2018
Judith i'm looking at doing both White Island and Mt Tarawera too. is one tour better than the other? And was White Island definately worth the price? Lisa
Written 8 April 2015
We just did the Mt. Tarawera Helicopter tour and got to land on top of the volcano where we had a few minutes to walk and enjoy the views. We enjoyed it and felt that it is well worth the price . The experience, the views are priceless.
Written 9 April 2015
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