change

Home 

Choose your country

or

 

Scenic Views

 

 

Mount Tarawera

Lake Tarawera and Mt Tarawera - click for more.
Mt Tarawera, a significant landmark in the Rotorua region.
More about this image
For centuries the Tuhorangi tribe (a sub tribe of Te Arawa) held Mount Tarawera in the highest regard. Their leaders were buried on its summit, and the bones of countless ancestors were entombed around its base.

Imagine their grief when, in the early hours of 10 June 1886, the mountain began to erupt, thrusting columns of molten rock thousands of metres into the air. A thick dark cloud formed high above the eruption, its underside lit coppery red by the activity below. Lightening and thunder broke out and molten balls of rock began to rain down onto the lake and surrounding landscape.

Worse was about to come. Beneath the earth's surface, hot magma met the underground waterways of nearby Lake Rotomahana. This rapidly created a vast amount of superheated steam that simply blew the bottom out of the lake, sending scalding mud high, far and wide.

For the surviving local Maori, the eruption was devastating. Their ancestors' remains were destroyed, many of their people were killed and their lands and livelihood were metres deep in mud and ash. In addition, the amazing Pink and White Terraces - recognised as the eighth wonder of the world - were completely destroyed.

Today the giant mountain lies sleeping once more. Its crater, a gaping six kilometre ravine, is clear testament to the ferocity of the 1866 eruption. Access onto the mountain is restricted to guided tours. Its majesty can also be viewed from a scenic flight.
 


 
ROTORUA Region

More Information

Find out more about this location on Te Ara - the online encyclopaedia of New Zealand.

Contact Details

Contact: Rotorua i-SITE Visitor Centre
Phone: +64 7 3485 179
Fax: +64 7 3486 044
Postal: Private Bag 3007 Rotorua
Website: www.rotoruanz.com

Send a message



Your Email Address:
Your phone number:
Your message:
 
Send me a copy

Rotorua is the closest town to this highlight.

In Rotorua:

Other towns near Rotorua by road:

Other towns near Rotorua by rail:

Rotorua does not have any rail stations.

The nearest rail station is in Hamilton (91 minutes)

Other towns near Rotorua by air:

Disclaimer
All information available on this web site concerning products and services is provided by the suppliers of those goods and services. Because information is liable to change from time to time you should not rely on the information on this web site but should check the accuracy of the information with the relevant supplier. Tourism New Zealand is not responsible or liable for any claims arising in relation to information supplied to it.

 
Front Row Rugby Club

Front Row Rugby Club Join the Front Row Rugby Club along with Tana Umaga and thousands of others.

New Zealand Videos

New Zealand Videos Browse our collection of videos that showcase what New Zealand has to offer.

Your Words

Your Words Browse personal blogs for straight talking thoughts and opinions about our places, people and adventures.


› Email this page  
› Page top

Tools:

Souvenirs:

Your Experiences:

100% Pure - newzealand.com
Edition: 
Travel:
Our other sites: 

100% Pure New Zealand on: 
The email addresses published on this web page are for conducting communications that promote Tourism in New Zealand, and are not to be used for any other commercial purpose.
Copyright 1999-2009 Tourism New Zealand, the official website of the New Zealand Tourism Board.