Volcanic Heli Hike

HELICOPTER TOUR

VOLCANIC HELI HIKE – TARAWERA FALLS

Tour Code: 6D

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This Heli-Hike experience is incomparable: it combines the thrill of landing on the summit of Mount Tarawera with a half-day hike following the crystal-clear waters of the Tarawera River to the magical Tarawera Falls, plus a boat ride across Lake Tarawera to end the day!

Highlights

Scenic take off and landing from Lake Rotorua
Unparalleled views of Mokoia Island, Sulphur Bay, and Rotorua City
Stunning views of 12 distinct Crater Lakes
Fly over dormant volcano Mount Tarawera’s 8km rift line and craters
Land on the summit of Mount Tarawera for a 15 minute guided walk
Reboard your waiting helicopter and fly over the Tarawera River and the Tarawera Falls
Land at Tapahoro Bay on Lake Tarawera and disembark for your hike
Enjoy a 3-hour hike to Tarawera Falls, with opportunities for swimming and a picnic
Conclude with a scenic and informative boat ride across Lake Tarawera & road transfer back to the Volcanic Air office

Tour Description

Departing from Rotorua, your helicopter takes you across our stunning lakes district to land on the summit of Mount Tarawera. This dormant volcano is the site of the largest eruption in New Zealand’s living memory and offers sweeping views of the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua’s many lakes, surrounding National Parks, and, of course, the volcano’s massive craters.

Your pilot will guide you to the very summit on foot, providing their services as a photographer, historian and geologist. After 15 minutes, reboard your helicopter to fly over the Tarawera Falls – so you can see from above where you will be hiking later on!

After the falls it is a short flight to land you at Tapahoro Bay on the shores of Lake Tarawera, where your hike begins.

The Tarawera Outlet to Falls Track is a self-guided hike (you are provided with a GPS unit so you can be in communication with our office team as well as having a map!) follows along the gin-clear Tarawera River. Walking under imposing bluffs and through native New Zealand forest, the hike continues past a series of increasingly impressive cascades until you arrive at the main fall, which flows out from the middle of a cliff.

Stop at the base of the falls to enjoy your picnic lunch and a refreshing swim.

See the Department of Conservation track description below:

“The track begins at the Tarawera Outlet bridge. Cross the bridge and take the right hand track at the junction. The track meanders through the native bush, largely following the river.

If you’re going to swim beside the track we recommend caution, due to underwater currents and the nature of the river. However, a popular swimming spot is around 1 hour 30 minutes from the Outlet, at a wider and shallower stretch of the river where the water runs more gently.

Shortly afterwards, the track divides for a brief distance before both tracks rejoin. The track then zigzags down a steep escarpment to a viewing area at the base of the falls.

Where the track skirts the top of Tarawera Falls, it’s possible to reach the cliff-face with high drop-offs. Stay behind barriers, keep to the track and keep your children supervised.”

Retrace your steps back to Tapahoro Bay where you will meet the Totally Tarawera team for your return boat ride across beautiful Lake Tarawera. As locals who can trace their lineage generations back on this land, they will be able to answer questions and provide amazing insight about the land and water you have traversed. After the boat ride, Totally Tarawera will also provide a road transfer back to the Rotorua Lakefront.

The hike is about 8 km total and you are given 3.5 hours – enough for a leisurely hike with time for a picnic.

Details

Duration: Allow 6.5 Hours

Location: All tours depart from Lakefront Drive, Rotorua City Lakefront

Requirements: This tour operates with a minimum of 2 fares.

Please bring a backpack, water, warm layers and comfortable shoes for hiking in. A GPS unit will be provided.

Safety: A full safety briefing will be provided at the Volcanic Air Base. All passengers will be required to be weighted in order to ensure proper weight distribution in the aircraft.

TOUR INCLUDES

• Helicopter flight to and landing on Mount Tarawera

• Helicopter transfer to Tapahoro (Lake Tarawera)

• Scenic boat transfer from Tapahoro to the landing Lake Tarawera

• Return vehicle transfers to the Rotorua City Lakefront

ADDITIONAL (OPTIONAL)

• Lunch box including a beverage (non alcoholic) is $60pp

• Gourmet picnic lunch $95pp

• Hiking guide, POA

Curious about the helicopter we will fly you in? Learn more here.