Buried Village of Te Wairoa
Buried Village of Te Wairoa
Buried Village of Te Wairoa
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Experience New Zealand's most visited archaeological site where stories of the 1886 Mt Tarawera Eruption come to life! Violent and unexpected, the volcanic eruption was one of New Zealand's greatest natural disasters, burying the peaceful village of Te Wairoa, and ending more than 150 lives. Today at the Buried Village encounter the world class Museum of Te Wairoa, explore the Archaeological Site which once housed the people of Te Wairoa, experience the unique insights of stories from our tour guides, and take the Waterfall Trail which showcases the stunning Wairere Falls.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,119 reviews
Excellent
530
Very good
394
Average
148
Poor
33
Terrible
14
rickwel
Wellington, New Zealand84 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Definitely recommend this for a couple of hours of NZ history.
The quiz hunt engaged the kids although I had to laugh when they were at first denied the ‘prize’ because they were one word, well one letter, out on the final answer when it was obvious they hadn’t skipped any clues..a bit pedantic.
Anyway that didn’t take away from the attraction and the beautiful scenery.
I was impressed that even though they have a cafe they allow you to bring your own food and we had a lovely picnic lunch by a perfect stream side setting.
Definitely recommend taking the option to see the waterfall, quite spectacular and some great photo opportunities up close.
Steepish path to and from it but nothing too serious and ok for kids as well.
The quiz hunt engaged the kids although I had to laugh when they were at first denied the ‘prize’ because they were one word, well one letter, out on the final answer when it was obvious they hadn’t skipped any clues..a bit pedantic.
Anyway that didn’t take away from the attraction and the beautiful scenery.
I was impressed that even though they have a cafe they allow you to bring your own food and we had a lovely picnic lunch by a perfect stream side setting.
Definitely recommend taking the option to see the waterfall, quite spectacular and some great photo opportunities up close.
Steepish path to and from it but nothing too serious and ok for kids as well.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm sorry one of our staff members appeared a bit pedantic about the answer for the treasure hunt.... it might have been meant as a bit of a teaser. Children always get their prize at the end.
We are glad that you nevertheless enjoyed your visit to the Buried Village and thank you very much for the commending review.
Written January 26, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
stumblethru
Melbourne, Australia75 contributions
Jul 2021
Highly recommend a visit to the Buried Village, which is a short 10-15 min drive out of Rotorua. The village was buried by a volcanic eruption in the late 1800s, and was frozen in time, much like Pompeii. There is a really interesting museum that you can walk through to learn more about the residents and some of the stories that came out of the day, including a guide who saved a lot of people, a phantom canoe and a few tragic stories of people who lost their lives that night. You can then walk around and see where they lived and more about what happened. Highly recommend a walk down to the beautiful waterfall nearby, just beware the stairs to get down are pretty steep!
Written August 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben& Sarah
9 contributions
Apr 2021
I last visited as a child and recently returned. This is a fascinating slice of NZ history.. Super informative and well laid out museum which clearly explained the MT Tarawera eruption and gave great context. The site is very interesting but love the low key nature of the village. Take the slightly longer walk to the waterfall, it’s well worth it but definitely wear appropriate footwear. Lovely friendly and welcoming staff and the cafe food is just the right quality of home made.
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OSUGYPSY
Oklahoma City, OK283 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Our local tour guide took us to this solemn and beautiful place. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and answered a lot of questions for us. The museum part tells an amazing story of how the eruption happened and the events afterwards. At the end of the tour us one of the most beautiful and serene walks you can get.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are pleased that you enjoyed your visit to the Buried Village and got your questions answered. The story of the Tarawera eruption in 1886 is a tragic one but nonetheless fascinating to many of our visitors. The walk along the stream and down to the waterfall is beautiful indeed and a bonus at the end of the visit. Thank you for your lovely review, it's much appreciated.
Written March 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carole E
London, UK67 contributions
Jan 2020
We didn't take a guided tour as we wanted to wander around on our own, and we found that there was ample information provided to allow the visitor to understand what had happened in this village. The museum was well designed and set out how life must have been for people in the village at that time. It is a very moving memorial to those who perished.
The track around the village and then through the beautiful surrounding area is clearly marked and there's the option to deviate to see the waterfall. It's fairly steep and not recommended for anyone with mobility problems, but if you can do it, it's well worth the climb down (and back up!).
The track around the village and then through the beautiful surrounding area is clearly marked and there's the option to deviate to see the waterfall. It's fairly steep and not recommended for anyone with mobility problems, but if you can do it, it's well worth the climb down (and back up!).
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Buried Village is set up for self-guiding with ample information in the museum and excavations - as you said - but we do have guided tours at set times which are optional and at no extra cost. We thank you for your appreciation of our displays and your commending review.
Written February 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
siddella
High Wycombe, UK30 contributions
Jan 2020
We loved the care and thought that has obviously gone into planning this museum and honouring the victims of the disaster as well as the people who have tried to tell their story. The museum itself had lots of detail about what life in the village was like in the mid-nineteenth century, as well as many personal details about those who were caught up in the event. Yes, you need to use your imagination when looking at the excavated sites but I found the overall impact quite moving. It’s no bad thing to be reminded sometimes of the human cost of living with the more extreme side of nature.
The lovely walk through the forest by the stream and the waterfall trail were added bonuses. Staff were friendly and helpful and there is a nice cafe.
The lovely walk through the forest by the stream and the waterfall trail were added bonuses. Staff were friendly and helpful and there is a nice cafe.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You are right, it makes you feel humble when you look at the effects natural disasters like the Tarawera eruption have on the people and the land. We thank you for your visit and your appreciation of the Buried Village.
Written January 26, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Old Bald Rocker
150 contributions
Feb 2020
Unless you are short of time, we would recommend doing the self guided tour with the visitor map provided. A lot of history and well worth our visit and also felt it was good value for money. Cafe also worth a visit, even for just a drink.
Written May 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your visit and commending review, it's much appreciated!
Written July 16, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lian06
79 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
Lots of us went as school kids but that’s a while ago now! Nice drive from Rotorua city. Friendly and helpful service. Unique place to visit and the museum artefacts are well worth viewing to give you a strong feeling for the events of that night. Enjoyed the tea and scones at the end too.
Written September 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many of our visitors tell us that they came here as children and wanted to re-visit and bring their own children. The history of the Mount Tarawera eruption obviously leaves a lasting impression on most visitors. Thank you for coming back after all these years, we are pleased you found the experience of the Buried Village worthwhile.
Written September 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
heieup
Brisbane, Australia601 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Loved the village, the history was interesting and the guide was excellent. The walk around the waterfalls is just beautiful and the cafe was a decent light lunch. Would recommend, we really enjoyed it and it was different to other attractions in the area
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your visit and commending review. We are pleased that you enjoyed all aspects of the Buried Village experience and hope to welcome you back some time in the future.
Written January 20, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stopticklingmeplease
Whanganui, New Zealand173 contributions
Jan 2021 • Friends
Came here with two friends to have a look around the buried village and have a scone and drink. We haven’t been out here since we were kids so it was rather nice to have a look at the museum and a walk around.
It is a little pricey but I think for something that is so unusual it’s worth it.
It is a little pricey but I think for something that is so unusual it’s worth it.
Written January 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After reading the reviews, I wouldn't give two hoots about this place.
Written November 8, 2018
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