Rotomahana Isthmus Track
Rotomahana Isthmus Track
Lake Tarawera
Maps
Information
The track links Lakes Tarawera and Rotomahana and is an integral part of Waimangu 'Round Trip'. Take the launch across Lake Rotomahana and walk across the Isthmus to Lake Tarawera where another launch delivers you to Tarawera Landing. This track is dominated by the majestic Mount Tarawera.
Lake Rotomahana was internationally famous for its spectacular Pink and White Terraces which were destroyed in the Mount Tarawera eruption of 1886. Steaming cliffs and silica terraces still remain as a feature of this lake.
The lake and surrounding margins are a wildlife refuge protecting many species of water fowl. The lake is closed to powerboats in May for the birds' breeding season.
Many rare ferns and orchids are found within the thermal areas.
Getting there
26 km south-east of Rotorua. Most visitors access Lake Rotomahana through Waimangu Volcanic Valley (Waimangu Rd, off SH 5). Visitors boating on Lake Tarawera often tie up at Rāpatu Bay and walk to Lake Rotomahana over the Isthmus Track.
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Reviews
Isabel
Ranking: 10/10
Easy hike on the top of Mt Isthmus where you can see both lakes: Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea, it is really worth it. Not many hikers on the way.
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Milan Maiwald
Ranking: 9/10
The walk is not as long as some other mountain tracks. Some challenging parts, but okay. Awesome view down to the lake!
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Nico
Ranking: 7/10
Gorgeous lake with volcanoes in the background and some hotpools at the shore.
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Francois Pierre
Ranking: 8/10
Good track with beautiful views of Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka on the top.
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Svenja Trubenbach
Ranking: 9/10
Nice views, great variety of landscapes.
Henrik Bours
Ranking: 9/10
Brilliant views also during the track, very easy to walk (almost a road) which is also a negative.
