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Rotorua & Taupo Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!tune
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!
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
- Adult$25.00
- Teen$10.00
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Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 384 authenticated Bookme reviews
Tania from New Zealand wrote on 08 July 2025
Moment in time
Amazing experience, so many stories shared to take you back to that heart-wrenching moment in time. Loved Margaret's well written letters too.
murrayr2 from New Zealand wrote on 30 June 2025
Interesting Site
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the buried village of Te Wairoa. The museum is very well presented with a wealth of information. The outside exhibits are old but being upgraded. The site is easy to get to and well worth a look but try to go on a dry day
trudyt from New Zealand wrote on 29 June 2025
Interesting Historical Location
I very much enjoyed learning the history of the area
Jayellepi from New Zealand wrote on 04 June 2025
Improvements needed
Our visit was a mix of highs and lows. The standout highlight was definitely the natural surroundings — the walk to the waterfall and back is absolutely incredible and not to be missed. A good level of fitness and mobility is needed as the stairs can be tricky to navigate, but our 4-year-old and 9-year-old managed it well and loved the adventure. The rest of the site, however, is in need of some serious TLC. Many parts are run down and would benefit from cosmetic repair. The lifesize map at the exit of the museum wasn’t functioning (no lights), and the white terrace fountain replica was inactive and covered in green algae. It would also be great to see stronger representation of local Iwi Māori. The narrative is currently centred heavily on the Smith whānau, and the experience would be greatly enriched by local iwi involvement — Māori sharing their own stories, on their own whenua. There was a lovely moment when we were greeted by a cheerful young girl sweeping outside the café — a small but appreciated gesture that made us feel welcome. The playground is quite tired and would benefit from a makeover — fresh bark, updated motifs, and general upkeep. Some areas of grass were noticeably overgrown, which left us wondering whether that was intentional or just a lack of maintenance. With some restoration and a broader, more inclusive cultural lens, this place has real potential to be something special.
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Stafford tamaki from New Zealand wrote on 14 July 2025
Awesome experience
Went on a rainy day but kids and adults loved it! Highly recommend!