Tarawera Trail

Hawaiki Bay, Lake Tarawera

One of the advantages of living in Rotorua, is that there is so many outdoor activities on our doorstep.  We decided to hike out to Hawaiki Bay at Lake Tarawera. It's about a 25 minute drive from the centre of town to the car park, and an hour 15 minute walk around the Lake to the Bay, (4.5km).

 The Tarawera Trail extends all the way to Hot Water Beach, (15 km / 4 hr walk one way)

 The carpark is before Te Wairoa / The Buried Village, and the start of the trail is watched over by this magnificant pou.The walkway meandered through non-native foilage until the top of Te Wairoa Valley.

The rest of the walk was mainly native forest.  Te Wairoa waterfall is not visable from this trail, but we could hear the waterfall in the valley.

Looking towards Lake Tarawera

The downhill was sheltered from the sun.

Tree roots

Walking downhill for a while until we reached the turnoff on the left for the Landing at Lake Tarawera.

Looking back to the sound of Te Wairoa Falls

Foxglove amongst the natives

 There were a few steps along the way, but nothing like Mt Pirongia.

 I was fascinated by this new fern leaf.  It will be dark green when it matures.

 Finally, a view of the lake, and nearly at the turnoff for the Landing.

A tui was in a tree, mimicking a car alarm.  The air was filled with a glorious, but subtle fragrance.  Honeysuckle was all over the other trees and ferns.

The turn off to the Landing is not signposted.  I don't know how long it would take to walk there.

 Looking towards the Landing inlet of Lake Tarawera.  Great place for a picnic.

 Finally, the urchins could see Mt Tarawera, but it was still about half an hour to Hawaiki Bay.

 The pohutukawa was in blossom, and the tuis were busy enjoying the nectar.

 Yay!  We made it.  A small Bay, plenty of gorse, but great swimming.  Very refreshing after the walk in the bush.

The eruption scars of Mt Tarawera are slowly being covered by plant life.

Pebbles under the water.

Looking towards Twin Streams, about 25 minutes walk away (1.2 km)

The water wasn't as cold as I remembered, so we all got wet, and enjoyed Lake Tarawera.

 Anneke realised too late that Erik could stand in much deeper water than her.

Mt Edgecumbe was in the distance, and a few yachts were out enjoying the Lake as well.

 I am fascinated by yellow at the moment, it appears most unexpectedly on this rock.

 Oscar was the first back to shore, he explored the rest of the bay while Erik and Anneke swam.

Leaf skeletons with lake weed

Erik was the last in the water

Even though the beach has white sand, under the gorse bushes is black iron sand.  I picked up a number of small pebbles of obsidian for Tighe, as well as lava scoria, and pumice .

Regretfully, we had to dry off, eat some chocolate, then pack up. 

Mt Tarawera

Moss and Manuka seedlings

 The last half hour of the walk is up hill.

The trail is very picturesque, and the views of the lake peeking between the ferns are fabulous.

We happened upon this run down hut on the way out.  The urchins were more interested in getting an ice cream from the dairy, instead of doing more exploring.  Perhaps next time.