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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