Tarawera & Lakes Eco Tour

About this experience

Tarawera & Lakes Eco Tour Discover Rotorua's lake district aboard New Zealand's only authentic World War II amphibious vehicle on this 2-hour guided tour. You'll travel by both land and water to explore three of the region's most significant lakes: Ōkāreka, Tikitapu (Blue Lake), and the sacred Lake Tarawera. Your tour begins at Lake Ōkāreka, where you'll splash down into calm waters surrounded by native bush and peaceful lakeside homes. Continue to Lake Tikitapu, known as the Blue Lake for its striking colour and significance to the local Te Arawa people. The highlight is Lake Tarawera, where you'll learn about the dramatic 1886 volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera that changed the landscape forever and buried the village of Te Wairoa. Your English-speaking guide shares Māori history, local legends, and geological stories throughout the tour, with scheduled stops at each lake for photos and exploration. The restored military vehicle provides comfortable viewing with heaters and blankets for cooler days. What is Included 2-hour guided tour in authentic WWII amphibious vehicle English-speaking guide Land and water travel to three lakes Heaters and blankets provided Scheduled stops at scenic viewpoints Bathroom breaks as needed Wheelchair accessible vehicle Good to Know The tour lasts 2 hours with visits to Lake Ōkāreka, Lake Tikitapu, and Lake Tarawera. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time for check-in. Dress warmly and bring a waterproof layer as weather can change on the water. The vehicle accommodates wheelchairs, but notify staff in advance for smooth boarding. You can bring snacks but no hot food is permitted on the vehicle. Children must be supervised at all times, and you'll need to respect the schedule during short lake stops. For more adventures in the region, consider exploring the Rotorua geothermal attractions or taking a Mount Tarawera helicopter tour for aerial views of the volcanic landscape you'll see from the lakes.

Highlights

• Board New Zealand's only genuine World War II amphibious vehicle
• Cover three lakes: Ōkāreka, Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Tarawera
• Splash down into Lake Ōkāreka surrounded by native bush
• Visit sacred Lake Tarawera, one of the region's most significant
• 2-hour guided tour combining road travel and open-water cruising

What is included

• Guided 2-hour amphibious vehicle tour
• Travel by land and water
• Visit to Lake Okareka
• Visit to Lake Tikitapu, the Blue Lake
• Visit to sacred Lake Tarawera

Before you go

Please wear clothing suitable for the prevailing weather; heaters and blankets are available onboard Wheelchair users are welcome but should confirm in advance for assistance Cold food and snacks can be taken onboard (hot food is not permitted) Bathroom breaks will be provided at lakes stops with limited time Tours generally run daily at 11am, 1pm and 3:30pm; confirm departure when booking

Cancellation terms

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience. Within 24 hours of the start, the booking cannot be cancelled.