Mount Tarawera

Mount Tarawera is a volcano in northern New Zealand that consists of several rhyolitic lava domes rising 1,111 meters (3,645 feet) above sea level. The peaks form a jagged line across the landscape and show clear traces of past volcanic activity along a wide fissure.

In June 1886, the volcano erupted and opened a fissure about 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) long through several peaks. The eruption killed over 150 people and buried multiple Māori settlements under ash and mud.

Local Māori consider the mountain a sacred place, and its name derives from the words for burnt peaks. Visitors wishing to enter the area must respect the spiritual connection of Ngāti Rangitihi to this land and follow their protocols.

Access requires permission from the Ngāti Rangitihi tribe, who own the mountain. Visitors can explore the area with authorized guides who also provide information about safety and navigation on the terrain.

Before the eruption, the famous Pink and White Terraces stood at the foot of the mountain and were considered the eighth wonder of the world. The eruption destroyed these silica formations entirely and changed the shape of several nearby lakes forever.

Location: Rotorua

Elevation above the sea: 1,111 m

GPS coordinates: -38.22465,176.51159

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:56