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Rotorua Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
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New Zealand's most visited archaeological site where stories of the 1886 Mount Tarawera Eruption come to life!
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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 382 authenticated Bookme reviews
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
Candice Paewai from New Zealand wrote on 17 May 2025
Inspiring and intriguing
I was met at the entrance with beautiful Kiwi hospitality. How refreshing. I was given plenty of information about past events and it was lovely to hear about where the survivors had moved to around the country. The 3D movie room was fantastic! Enjoyed the museum and filling in the gaps about all the families who were affected. Walking through the old village was interesting - with some remnants dug up and showing how they had dug down into the earth for their accommodation. Trying to figure out in my head how they stopped the rain from running in. I took the waterfall walk. Stunning.
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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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.