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Rotorua & Taupo 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!
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 17 Aug to 30 Aug 2025
Change Dates
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
Sun 17 Aug
Mon 18 Aug
Tue 19 Aug
Wed 20 Aug
Thu 21 Aug
Fri 22 Aug
Sat 23 Aug
Sun 24 Aug
Mon 25 Aug
Tue 26 Aug
Wed 27 Aug
Thu 28 Aug
Fri 29 Aug
Sat 30 Aug
- 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
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- Adult$25.00
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- Adult$25.00
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$12.50
- Teen$10.00
- Adult$12.50
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- 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 384 authenticated Bookme reviews
From The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission
Kia ora, Thanks for the review
Sarah Whittles from New Zealand wrote on 08 August 2025
Burried Villiage - fantastic
Absolutely fantastic. We loved the VR experience - really got a feeling of what it must have been like and an immersive experience that brought the museum to life. Loved how the museum really focused on the human experience through the different families and guides etc, so that it's not just some random catastrophe that happened but a life changing, harrowing experience for people not so different to you or me. The whole museum and walk was a very powerful and affecting experience. Thank you
From The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission
Thank you for your amazing review. We are so glad the VR experience was enjoyed and added value to your visit
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!
From The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission
Thanks for coming
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.
From The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission
Thanks for your review
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
From The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission
Thanks for visiting us
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jeanettec6 from New Zealand wrote on 10 August 2025
Buried village
This exceeded our expectations...it was well worth taking time out to have a slow ambient around tgecwell maintained track..and the waterfall wes amazing... Highly recommended