Rotomahana Isthmus Track

Rotomahana Isthmus Track

Lake Tarawera

6 Rankers Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

3 Tarawera

Maps

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Information

Rotomahana Isthmus Track

Time: 20 min one way, Distance: 1.2 km

The track links Lakes Tarawera and Rotomahana and is an integral part of Waimangu 'Round Trip'. Take the launch across Lake Rotomahana and walk across the Isthmus to Lake Tarawera where another launch delivers you to Tarawera Landing. This track is dominated by the majestic Mount Tarawera.

Lake Rotomahana was internationally famous for its spectacular Pink and White Terraces which were destroyed in the Mount Tarawera eruption of 1886. Steaming cliffs and silica terraces still remain as a feature of this lake.

The lake and surrounding margins are a wildlife refuge protecting many species of water fowl. The lake is closed to powerboats in May for the birds' breeding season.

Many rare ferns and orchids are found within the thermal areas.

Getting there
26 km south-east of Rotorua. Most visitors access Lake Rotomahana through Waimangu Volcanic Valley (Waimangu Rd, off SH 5). Visitors boating on Lake Tarawera often tie up at Rāpatu Bay and walk to Lake Rotomahana over the Isthmus Track.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC Bay of Plenty

Central government organisation

Location

North IslandRotorua RegionTarawera

Categories

  • Activity__walking_and_trekkingWalking
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-38.2479888769562

176.453268432617

Latitude
-38.2479888769562
Longitude
176.453268432617

Nearby

Reviews

    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 1
    17%
    9/10 3
    50%
    8/10 1
    17%
    7/10 1
    17%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 5.0/5

    Easy hike on the top of Mt Isthmus where you can see both lakes: Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea, it is really worth it.

    Not many hikers on the way.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in April 2016

  • 4.5/5

    The walk is not as long as some other mountain tracks.

    Some challenging parts, but okay. Awesome view down to the lake!

    Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 3.5/5

    Gorgeous lake with volcanoes in the background and some hotpools at the shore.

    Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016

  • 4.0/5

    Good track with beautiful views of Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka on the top.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in October 2015

  • 4.5/5

    Nice views, great variety of landscapes.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in March 2014

  • 4.5/5

    Brilliant views also during the track, very easy to walk (almost a road) which is also a negative.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in March 2014