Waikato Tarawera Trail

Update August 2026. The pdf and GPX files attached is now out of date.
Transport is by boat to Hot Water Beach. It is 15km from drop off point to the car park which is about 2km beyond the finish point noted in the pdf file.
Total ascent 671 metres.
If the lake is at a low level the track can be accessed by walking left(south east) along the beach to the signpost at the start of the track. However if the lake level is high then choose a forest track running south east, parallel to the beach, until the start of the track which is clearly marked.
The initial climb is up a series of wooden staircases. The track is narrow and in places somewhat eroded which can be challenging.

July 2018: Driving time is just over one hour to reach the start. This is a moderate tramp with a lot of ascending and descending through native forest on the south side of Lake Tarawera between Tarawera Landing on Punaromia Beach and Hot-water Beach in Te Rata Bay. Total ascent is 550 metres and the hard work is nearer the South end. Can be done in either direction but taking the water taxi to start prevents possible long, cold hanging about at or racing to the end to get the water taxi back.

Last updated July 2018