EXECUTIVE HOLIDAY HOME AT LAKE TARAWERA
"A delightful house in a delightful setting "I love it- very peaceful and relaxing."
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About the Lake |
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Lake Tarawera was formed about 5000 years ago when drainage to the east was blocked by lava flows. It is the largest of a series of lakes which surround the volcano Mount Tarawera in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 18 kilometres (20 scenic minutes) to the east of Rotorua, and five kilometres to the west of the mountain. Regardless of the time of year, Lake Tarawera has something to offer everyone and every occasion. Lake Tarawera is popular for both fishing and water sports, and also tramping as there a number of fantastic walking tracks and hot water beaches. The lake's surface area is 39 km² (15.054 sq miles) with a maximum depth of 87.5 metres (287 feet). Lake Tarawera is 318 metres (1032 feet) above sea-level and Mount Tarawera rises to a height of 1,111 metres (3,644 ft) above sea-level. During the summer months the lake temperature reaches an average of 22°C / 73°F. The lake drains eastward through the Tarawera River, over spectacular falls, which flow northeast into the Bay of Plenty.
Lake Tarawera yields the largest number of trophy trout in the Southern Hemisphere and is an angler's dream. It is revered for its flourishing and varied bird life. The Lake Tarawera Water Taxi is a very good service. Contact David and Karen for more information on 07 362 8428. Click hereto view Live weather and webcam. |
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| Lake Activities | |||||||||||
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| We thoroughly recommend you dine at Solitaire Lodge and enjoy the fine cuisine surrounded by the best collection of rare New Zealand art you will find anywhere. We also recommend dining at the Landing Café - right on the Lake, it is a great setting. |
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| Eruption of 1886 | |||||||||||
| Mount Tarawera's three peaks (from East to West: "Wahanga", "Ruawahia" & "Tarawera") Just after midnight on the morning of June 10, 1886 a series of small earthquakes were felt in the Rotorua area. At 1.30 am a larger earthquake was felt and followed by the sound of an explosion. By 2.30 am Mount Tarawera's three peaks had erupted, blasting three distinct columns of smoke and ash thousands of metres into the sky. After the initial volcanic eruptions the lake bed of Rotomahana then split open and the waters flooded onto the red hot magma below, causing an enormous explosion and raining Rotomahana mud up to 50 feet deep around the mountain.This would have been when the Pink and the White Terraces were destroyed and when the Māori village of Te Wairoa was buried. Approximately 2 cubic kilometres of material erupted - more than Mount St. Helens ejected in 1980. Click here to view full NZ Herald article on eruption. |
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| The Pink and White Terraces | |||||||||||
| The 8th Wonder of the World, the Pink and White Terraces, were first photographed in 1859, by German geologist, Ferdinand von Hochstetter. It is estimated that the Pink and White Terraces were formed over thousands of years. Von Hochstetter's photography is credited with starting tourism in New Zealand. Tourists paid exorbitant fees (2 pounds sterling per person!!) to be rowed across the lake. Additional fees were charged for reaching Lake Rotomahana (after a small walk). To view the terraces, tourists were again charged. If the Haka (Maori ceremonial war dance) was performed, the tourists were again charged. The White Terraces were formed by deposits in the water from a central geyser. Hot water containing large amounts of calcium bicarbonate precipitated calcium carbonate, leaving thick white layers of limestone and travertine cascading down the mountain slope, forming pools of water and terraces. The White Terraces covered an area of 7.5 acres. The White Terraces were not as popular as the Pink Terraces for bathing, due to the sharper surfaces of the pools (like dried coral) and the exceptionally hot water. |
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Three exquisite examples of the Pink and White Terraces painted by New Zealand artist Charles Blomfield circa 1880 - 1886. Coincidentally, Blomfield's second son was born on the very morning of the eruption in Auckland. Pictured below: Famous Artist, Charles Bloomfield's granddaughter, Muriel Williams,
(88 years young) holidaying with 4 of her 5 sons at Lake Tarawera Executive Holiday Home. (Copy of her book, "Charles Blomfield", on the bookshelf.)
Covering an area of 5.5 acres, the Pink Terraces from top to bottom were a salmon-pink colour, due to the presence of amorphus antimony sulphides. The silica surfaces of the basins were 4-5 feet deep and extremely smooth and comfortable for relaxing because of their superb therapeutic qualities. The Terraces varied from cool at the lower levels to hot at the upper levels. Tourists were able to select basin with a perfect bathing temperature. Unfortunately, the terraces were destroyed when Lake Rotomahana was completely obliterated in 1 of the 4 eruptions that morning. |
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