• Whakarewarewa Village Nature Walks

Experience Māori culture

Whakarewarewa Nature Walks

Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley is home to a unique combination of landscapes, flora and fauna. Nowhere else in the world can you see several types of Manuka and Kanuka (tea tree). There’s also Pohutukawa (New Zealand’s Christmas tree) and many different types of fern and edible plants growing in our harsh, geothermal environment.

Our nature walks are all set amidst bubbling mud pools, fumaroles and geysers. Our self-guided nature trails offer the opportunity to explore these landscapes on foot, at your leisure.

Our nature walks are low-difficulty, range in length from 5 minutes to 50 minutes, and require only comfortable shoes and, when required, weather-appropriate clothing.

Tamaheke Track

15 – 20 minutes

Tamaheke Track is a short, easy and highly scenic walk where you’ll traverse through Manuka scrub, past boiling pools and steaming bores.

We have recently renovated a boardwalk that crosses over the colourful Te Roto A Tamaheke (Lake of Tamaheke), whose hot spring-filled waters honour a chief who lived in the area long ago. This lake has a number of hot springs that heat it above boiling point.

Werenga Track

10 minutes

As a standalone walk, or as an extension of your time on the Tamaheke Track, follow Huarere Street, before turning onto the Werenga Track. Here you can view a large mud pool and the Whakarewarewa Anglican Church.

From there you can rejoin Tamaheke Track, carrying along the boardwalk, or you can return to Whakarewarewa Village.

Kanapanapa Track

40 – 50 minutes

For a longer journey and spectacular views, our extended track past Roto Kanapanapa (Green Lake) onto Lake Kanapanapa is a great option. Infused with a mixture of geothermal minerals, this lake is green in colour and has a warm temperature.

Roto Kanapanapa was formerly used by the village Tohunga (priest) in ceremonial funeral processes. Continue along the track, past several hill top lookout points, for great views of Whakarewarewa Village, Rotorua City, Mokoia Island, steaming lakes as well as two Pa (fortified villages) sites of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people.

Don’t miss this unique Rotorua walking experience

Access to the self-guided walking tracks of Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village are included in the price of village entry

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Tekoteko in Whakarewarewa Village

You can find around 80 Tekoteko in Whakarewarewa

Experience more at Whakarewarewa
The Living Māori Village

Whakarewarewa Legacy Guided Village Tour

Enjoy our Legacy guided tour and home of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people who have been sharing their way of life with visitors from all around the world for over 200 years. Discover how our people have adopted and survived to live on top of a caldera, a truly intrepid human journey since the devastating eruption of Mt Tarawera in 1886.
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Whaka Geothermal Trails

Our new geothermal nature trails provide exclusive access to an untouched geothermal landscape where Visitors can experience the raw nature of Papatuanuku (mother-earth). The Jurassic park-like landscape are described as providing regenerative powers as You find yourself face-to-face with Nature, Hot Spring Lakes, Mud Pools and native manuka bushlands.Please note that there is no access to Pohutu Geyser on our Geothermal Trails.
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Hot Water Beach Campground

For a unique camping experience, the Hot Water Beach campground is located on the shores of beautiful Te Rata Bay on the southern arm of Lake Tarawera. Enjoy a warm, relaxing swim from the natural geothermal hot springs. Thirty campsites are available, with bookings essential. Accessible only by boat or on foot via the Tarawera Trail. The campground is at the end of the Tarawera Trail.
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  • "So informative full of history. Very authentic... Delicious hangi one must try when there. Having been to other Villages this one is one of a kind! "
    Karolina – Palmerston North, New Zealand – via TripAdvisor
  • "It is once impressive for the landscape itself and twice impressive for the fact that it is a populated village where people get on with their lives by utilising the earth’s powers ."
    PhillipP- 03/2020 – via TripAdvisor
  • "The welcome at Whakarewarewa brought me to tears... Our guide was friendly, funny and informative."
    Susie – Rotorua, New Zealand – via TripAdvisor
  • "The Guide’s passion for their home was so beautiful and genuine. The waiata to finish the tour brought a tear to my eyes."
    Monique Enoka-Davidson – New Zealand – 01/2021- via Google Map
  • "Amazing heritage in this area, very friendly and inviting." 
    Estee Blom- New Zealand – 01/2021- via Google Map