The Buried Village

The Buried Village is New Zealand's 1886 eruption, excavation, history and gallery museum.

Volcanic devastation at Rotorua's Buried Village is revealed through site excavations and displays. A number of small dwellings remains undisturbed beneath the heavy mud and ash.

The Buried Village experience includes the Museum of Te Wairoa where visitors can find out about the fascinating story of Te Wairoa village, the voyages to the Pink and White Terraces and the eruption of Mount Tarawera.

There are also artifacts and remnants recovered from the village to see and archaeology and vulcanology information, and a children’s discovery room.

The excavated archaeological sites are a registered historic area, where Maori whare and settler buildings have been excavated to their original floor level.

Wander the scenic pathways that link the sites, enjoy pristine native bush, view the sensational wilderness above the Wairere Falls looking out over remote volcanic scenery and catch a glimpse of the wild rainbow trout that inhibit the Te Wairoa stream.

Be thrilled by the hike to stand in the spray of the magnificent Te Wairere Falls which plunge 30 metres to the bush-clad valley below.

Guided tours are also available.

The Tuhourangi people were the original inhabitants of Tarawera and have a long history of welcoming and guiding visitors. They were New Zealand ’s first tourism entrepreneurs taking visitors to the terraces. Today their descendants proudly guide at the Buried Village .