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Rotorua & Taupo Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
New Zealand's most visited archaeological site where stories of the 1886 Mount Tarawera Eruption come to life!
New Zealand's most visited archaeological site where stories of the 1886 Mount Tarawera Eruption come to life!
Highlights
- Visit the award-winning Museum of Te Wairoa exhibition
- Explore the archaeological sites which reveal the devastation of the eruption
- Gain unique insights with guided storytelling or by using our electronic tour app
- Children can partake in Smithy's Treasure Hunt with clues around the excavated sites
- Take a stroll along the waterfall trail to Te Wairoa Falls
The violent volcanic eruption of Mt Tarawera erupted in 1886 which engulfed the village of Te Wairoa in rocks, ash and mud. 150 lives were lost and the eighth wonder of the world; The Pink and White Terraces vanished.
Step back in time and learn the history of Te Wairoa village!
Museum of Te Wairoa - Displayed are a large array of objects over 90 years old excavated from the ruins of the eruption and exhibits of the early settlers.
Archaeological Site - Explore the devastation of the eruption as you walk through the excavated sites which once housed the people of Te Wairoa.
Waterfall Trail - View the magnificent Te Wairoa stream and Wairere Falls. Catch a glimpse of the trout in the stream making their way through the crystal clear waters and feel the spray from the stunning waterfall as it plunges 30 metres over the Waitoharuru cliffs.
Smith & Co Cafe + Gift Store - Established in 1931, Smith & Co Cafe and Gift Store provide famous Devonshire Tea and Scones, excellent coffee, delicious home baking and check out the great range of eco-friendly giftware and NZ books.
Children - The kids will love digging in the discovery room and exploring the Buried Village with Smithy our archaeologist, and playing on the playground at the end!
Available Bookings from 30 Apr to 13 May 2025
Change Dates
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
Wed 30 Apr
Thu 1 May
Fri 2 May
Sat 3 May
Sun 4 May
Mon 5 May
Tue 6 May
Wed 7 May
Thu 8 May
Fri 9 May
Sat 10 May
Sun 11 May
Mon 12 May
Tue 13 May
- Adult$25.00
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$25.00
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$25.00
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$25.00
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$25.00
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$25.00
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$25.00
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$25.00
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$25.00
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$25.00
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$12.50 Less than 6 at this price!
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$12.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$12.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$12.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$12.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$12.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$12.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$12.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$12.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$12.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$17.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$17.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$17.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$17.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$17.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$17.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$17.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$17.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$17.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$17.50
- Teen$10.00
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
A moving experience
Jocelyn Wilson from
NZ
A moving experience
Jocelyn Wilson from
NZ
A moving experience
Jocelyn Wilson from
NZ
Great time for the whole family
Nathan Ross from
NZ
Loved it!
Samantha from
NZ
Loved it!
Samantha from
NZ
Great Trip
Jill from
United Kingdom
Great Trip
Jill from
United Kingdom
Historical wonder
vivienneb from
NZ
Historical wonder
vivienneb from
NZ
Historical wonder
vivienneb from
NZ
Fantastic
ALISON from
NZ
Fantastic
ALISON from
NZ
Fantastic
ALISON from
NZ
Interesting and beautiful
eileent1 from
Australia
Interesting and beautiful
eileent1 from
Australia
Family adventure
davidz6 from
NZ
Family adventure
davidz6 from
NZ
Great Experience - Lots of adventure and Fun :)
Kaylee Shaw from
NZ
Te Wairoa Buried Village
krissie from
NZ
Te Wairoa Buried Village
krissie from
NZ
Te Wairoa Buried Village
krissie from
NZ
The buried village visit
Linda Ly from
Australia
Amazing Historical Site
Ness from
NZ
Amazing Historical Site
Ness from
NZ
Amazing
P from
NZ
Amazing
P from
NZ
Educational with a beautiful walk
arnekat from
NZ
Educational with a beautiful walk
arnekat from
NZ
Educational with a beautiful walk
arnekat from
NZ
Waterfall was spectacular
Jessne Mae from
NZ
Waterfall was spectacular
Jessne Mae from
NZ
Superb history and a bonus waterfall
janep10 from
United Kingdom
Superb history and a bonus waterfall
janep10 from
United Kingdom
Superb history and a bonus waterfall
janep10 from
United Kingdom
Worth a visit
Karen Willis from
NZ
Worth a visit
Karen Willis from
NZ
Beautiful grounds
lisaf31 from
Australia
Beautiful grounds
lisaf31 from
Australia
Great experience!
Kerin from
NZ
Happy new yr!
bronwynt2 from
NZ
Well worth the visit
dianad9 from
Australia
Well worth the visit
dianad9 from
Australia
Bit too expensive
annechristinaj from
NZ
Bit too expensive
annechristinaj from
NZ
Buried Village
Ronell Rohlandt from
NZ
Buried Village
Ronell Rohlandt from
NZ
Buried Village
Ronell Rohlandt from
NZ
Buried village
paulab3 from
NZ
Speechless
Stevieanne Edmonds from
NZ
Nice history lesson.
Julie Hart from
NZ
Buried Village Rotorua
DAVID CUTHERS from
NZ
Excellent
Debbie Wilson from
NZ
Excellent
Debbie Wilson from
NZ
Great fun
Annabelle Borrie from
NZ
A little bit of history
amandam26 from
NZ
A little bit of history
amandam26 from
NZ
A little bit of history
amandam26 from
NZ
Enjoyed exploring historical site at our own pace
kirstyw5 from
NZ
Enjoyed exploring historical site at our own pace
kirstyw5 from
NZ
Enjoyed exploring historical site at our own pace
kirstyw5 from
NZ
Well worth a visit
amirap from
NZ
Ataahua
Parekawa Turner-Graham from
NZ
Ataahua
Parekawa Turner-Graham from
NZ
Ataahua
Parekawa Turner-Graham from
NZ
Awesome Experience
Serenity from
NZ
Awesome Experience
Serenity from
NZ
Awesome Experience
Serenity from
NZ
Culture high
Rebecca from
United Kingdom
Culture high
Rebecca from
United Kingdom
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 370 authenticated Bookme reviews
brenda porter from New Zealand wrote on 26 February 2025
Interesting and informative
Excellent in all respects. Well worth a visit. Extremely interesting and very well laid out with good map guidance. Allow a couple of hours.
Helen Urich from Australia wrote on 21 February 2025
Interesting
Certainly worth visiting.
Simona from Czech Republic wrote on 17 February 2025
5 stars
Very nice and interesting museum, a lot of information. Also very beautiful nature and waterfall.
Robyn T from New Zealand wrote on 13 February 2025
Buried Village of Te Wairoa
The virtual reality experience was cool and interesting, as was the museum and walk around the grounds.
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aaron mcgregor-bates from New Zealand wrote on 09 March 2025
Historical Educational
Educational, good to know the background of the area. Staff were informative and nice, and we got the treasure at the end ! If you can find the secret clue, good footwear recommend if you are going to the waterfall.