Buried Village of Te Wairoa | 45 minutes to 2 hours

98 Reviews | Rotorua
From $15.46 per person Lowest Price Guarantee
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Adult (19-64) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15
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Youth (13-18) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
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Child (5-12) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
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Infant (0-4) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
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Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Buried Village of Te Wairoa
2 Adults x $15.58
$31.16
Approx Total
$31.16

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: German, English, French, Dutch, Spanish
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)
  • Food and drinks
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Overview

Experience New Zealand's most visited archaeological site, and hear stories of the 1886 Mt. Tarawera eruption. This guided tour features a range of historical exhibits nestled in the scenic New Zealand landscape. Visitors can take peaceful walking trails and discover the life stories of the inhabitants whose fates were intertwined with the volcanic eruption. Discover the legacy of the Pink and White Terraces, which were once considered to be the Eighth Wonder of the World.

Itinerary

  • Buried Village of Te Wairoa

    The Buried Village of Te Wairoa, just a 15-minute drive from Rotorua city, offers a firsthand look at one of New Zealand’s greatest natural disasters. Learn about the devastating effects when Mt. Tarawera erupted in 1886, which buried Te Wairoa and ended more than 150 lives. Now, well over a century later, the excavated village provides a unique opportunity to see how the area's Maori inhabitants and early settlers lived. Guided group tours, audio/video tours, and talks, which are included with your admission ticket, are scheduled throughout the day. Learn about the geological and geothermal features of Lake Tarawera, Mt. Tarawera, and the surrounding lakes region. Find out what happened to the Pink and White Terraces, once a popular natural landmark. Discover how the village of Te Wairoa came to be, the role it played in developing the region, and how its legacy continues to influence New Zealand's tourism industry to this day.   Encounter the world-class Museum of Te Wairoa and its collection of excavated objects. Explore the archaeological site, which reveals the devastation of the eruption, and walk a paved path along the very sites that the people of Te Wairoa once called home. Take the Waterfall Trail to Wairere Falls, which plunges 98 feet (30 meters) to the valley below. Head to Vi's Teahouse for delicious scones, Devonshire tea, and excellent coffee, or browse the range of gifts in the gift store. Children can search through the excavated sites for clues, or go to the Adventure Playground. Allow 1–1.5 hours to experience the entire Buried Village.

    2 hours

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately. Bring walking shoes and protection from adverse weather. The paths are flat and paved but the optional waterfall trail has several flights of stairs.
  • Hat, sunscreen, umbrella or raincoat are recommended
  • Self-guided tour
  • You can arrive at any time throughout the day, and stay for as long you'd like
  • Wheelchair available for public use - please inquire at reception

Free Cancellation

June 11100% refund
June 12No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.5

98 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    64
  • 4 stars
    23
  • 3 stars
    7
  • 2 stars
    1
  • 1 star
    3

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 64 reviews with 5 stars

History Explored!

Published on Feb, 2025

Mount Tarawera erupted on June 10, 1886, destroying the village of Te Wairoa and the nearby Pink and White Terraces. We got to see this museum and site of the local hotel that tells the story of that fateful night. Our Kirra Tour led by Jake M. was met by Pam, great granddaughter of the original owner who took us through a synopsis of the events. We walked through the property viewing artifacts and buildings damaged in the eruption. We also walked to a beautiful waterfall on the property. Highly recommend this stop!

Mesmerized

Published on Feb, 2025

Pam was very knowledgeable and explained the history very clearly. You could almost imagine what the site was like decades ago. Such a disaster to the village and the people when the volcano erupted in 1886. The water falls were spectacular, so mesmerizing. Grateful we visited this site and would highly recommend it to others.

Nice relaxed self guided tour

Published on Feb, 2025

Nice walk and cafe Waterfalls were beautiful so don’t miss them on your walk staff was very friendly and helpful. The cafe has great food and a nice outdoor area. Museum was very interesting

Buried Village

Published on Feb, 2025

Interesting to learn the learning the history and see the relics. Waterfall was beautiful did the walk down the steep stairs and up the steep terrain to get out but well eprth it for those who he a reasonable fitness level. Proper shoes are suggested for the waterfall walk as the ground can be pretty uneven.

A great walk through history of Te Wairoa

Published on Jan, 2025

I really appreciated the welcoming manner of the staff at reception. It was pleasing to be greeted with my surname when I gave my first name. I also appreciated the depth of history that the beautiful lady at reception gave us. The museum at the beginning was a great way to provide context on the areas that we visited. Although a sad event in our history, the visit enabled me to reflect on the privileges that I experience today. Thank you for the experience. Ngā mihi

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