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The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission

4.7
392
Deals from $12.50 Save $12.50 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
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!


Adult $25.00 (Aged 18+)
Teen $10.00 (Aged 13-17 years)

What's included

  • Entry to the Buried Village
  • Smithy's Treasure Hunt for children

Location

  • 1180 Tarawera Road
  • Lake Tarawera - a stunning 15-minute scenic drive from Rotorua.

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Notes

  • Open hours: Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 4pm.

    Conditions: Discount tickets are time-specific. Buried Village allows a 30 minute grace period only either side of a discount booking time. Outside of this grace period, you will have to pay the difference in rate to enter. Cancellations within 24 hours non-refundable.

    Disabled Access: Wheelchair access is limited in the outdoor part of the park. There are some steep and challenging parts within the normal walking tracks of the Buried Village. Wheelchair access is available to the VR experience. Part of the village that is not accessible for wheelchairs due to the nature of the terrain and steep stairs is the walk to the waterfall. We have a wheelchair available for public use within the museum. We do not recommend that people in wheelchairs attempt the outdoor sites alone

  • Children aged 0 - 12 years old go FREE when booking with paying adult

Available Bookings from 31 Dec to 13 Jan 2026

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Wed 31 Dec
Thu 1 Jan
Fri 2 Jan
Sat 3 Jan
Sun 4 Jan
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Tue 6 Jan
Wed 7 Jan
Thu 8 Jan
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Sat 10 Jan
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Mon 12 Jan
Tue 13 Jan

  • Adult$25.00
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  • Adult$12.50
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  • Adult$12.50 Less than 6 at this price!
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  • Adult$15.00
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  • Adult$12.50
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  • 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
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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
A moving experience
Jocelyn Wilson from NZ
A moving experience
A moving experience
Jocelyn Wilson from NZ
A moving experience
A moving experience
Jocelyn Wilson from NZ
Great time for the whole family
Great time for the whole family
Nathan Ross from NZ
Loved it!
Loved it!
Samantha from NZ
Loved it!
Loved it!
Samantha from NZ
Great Trip
Great Trip
Jill from United Kingdom
Great Trip
Great Trip
Jill from United Kingdom
Historical wonder
Historical wonder
vivienneb from NZ
Historical wonder
Historical wonder
vivienneb from NZ
Historical wonder
Historical wonder
vivienneb from NZ
Fantastic
Fantastic
ALISON from NZ
Fantastic
Fantastic
ALISON from NZ
Fantastic
Fantastic
ALISON from NZ
Interesting and beautiful
Interesting and beautiful
eileent1 from Australia
Interesting and beautiful
Interesting and beautiful
eileent1 from Australia
Family adventure
Family adventure
davidz6 from NZ
Family adventure
Family adventure
davidz6 from NZ
Great Experience - Lots of adventure and Fun :)
Great Experience - Lots of adventure and Fun :)
Kaylee Shaw from NZ
Te Wairoa Buried Village
Te Wairoa Buried Village
krissie from NZ
Te Wairoa Buried Village
Te Wairoa Buried Village
krissie from NZ
Te Wairoa Buried Village
Te Wairoa Buried Village
krissie from NZ
The buried village visit
The buried village visit
Linda Ly from Australia
Amazing Historical Site
Amazing Historical Site
Ness from NZ
Amazing Historical Site
Amazing Historical Site
Ness from NZ
Amazing
Amazing
P from NZ
Amazing
Amazing
P from NZ
Educational with a beautiful walk
Educational with a beautiful walk
arnekat from NZ
Educational with a beautiful walk
Educational with a beautiful walk
arnekat from NZ
Educational with a beautiful walk
Educational with a beautiful walk
arnekat from NZ
Waterfall was spectacular
Waterfall was spectacular
Jessne Mae from NZ
Waterfall was spectacular
Waterfall was spectacular
Jessne Mae from NZ
Superb history and a bonus waterfall
Superb history and a bonus waterfall
janep10 from United Kingdom
Superb history and a bonus waterfall
Superb history and a bonus waterfall
janep10 from United Kingdom
Superb history and a bonus waterfall
Superb history and a bonus waterfall
janep10 from United Kingdom
Worth a visit
Worth a visit
Karen Willis from NZ
Worth a visit
Worth a visit
Karen Willis from NZ
Beautiful grounds
Beautiful grounds
lisaf31 from Australia
Beautiful grounds
Beautiful grounds
lisaf31 from Australia
Great experience!
Great experience!
Kerin from NZ
Happy new yr!
Happy new yr!
bronwynt2 from NZ
Well worth the visit
Well worth the visit
dianad9 from Australia
Well worth the visit
Well worth the visit
dianad9 from Australia
Bit too expensive
Bit too expensive
annechristinaj from NZ
Bit too expensive
Bit too expensive
annechristinaj from NZ
Buried Village
Buried Village
Ronell Rohlandt from NZ
Buried Village
Buried Village
Ronell Rohlandt from NZ
Buried Village
Buried Village
Ronell Rohlandt from NZ
Buried village
Buried village
paulab3 from NZ
Speechless
Speechless
Stevieanne Edmonds from NZ
Nice history lesson.
Nice history lesson.
Julie Hart from NZ
Buried Village Rotorua
Buried Village Rotorua
DAVID CUTHERS from NZ
Excellent
Excellent
Debbie Wilson from NZ
Excellent
Excellent
Debbie Wilson from NZ
Great fun
Great fun
Annabelle Borrie from NZ
A little bit of history
A little bit of history
amandam26 from NZ
A little bit of history
A little bit of history
amandam26 from NZ
A little bit of history
A little bit of history
amandam26 from NZ
Enjoyed exploring historical site at our own pace
Enjoyed exploring historical site at our own pace
kirstyw5 from NZ
Enjoyed exploring historical site at our own pace
Enjoyed exploring historical site at our own pace
kirstyw5 from NZ
Enjoyed exploring historical site at our own pace
Enjoyed exploring historical site at our own pace
kirstyw5 from NZ
Well worth a visit
Well worth a visit
amirap from NZ
Ataahua
Ataahua
Parekawa Turner-Graham from NZ
Ataahua
Ataahua
Parekawa Turner-Graham from NZ
Ataahua
Ataahua
Parekawa Turner-Graham from NZ
Awesome Experience
Awesome Experience
Serenity from NZ
Awesome Experience
Awesome Experience
Serenity from NZ
Awesome Experience
Awesome Experience
Serenity from NZ
Culture high
Culture high
Rebecca from United Kingdom
Culture high
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

5 Stars
303
4 Stars
71
3 Stars
13
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
2

4.7

392 reviews

Read all 392 authenticated reviews for The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission

Showing all 392 authenticated Bookme reviews

mumsier from New Zealand wrote on 22 December 2025

Amazing

The children loved the treasure hunt and the falls are spectacular ✨️ ❤️

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From The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission

Wonderful - thanks for your review

philcarolyn from Australia wrote on 14 November 2025

Buried Village - Buried Treasure

This historic location is indeed a national treasure. The stories were amazing and captivating and the essence of what happened here is truly captured. The presentation of the artifacts found is amazing and the walk around whilst historical is truly beautiful at the same time. Once you have walked the village you are then treated to a spectacular waterfall, absolutely stunning. The journey doesn’t end here though, because once you have finished you return back to the start and a great little cafe is waiting with friendly staff and awesome coffee.

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From The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission

Thank you for visiting us

Anthony Dercola from United States wrote on 27 October 2025

Excellent experience

Very educational, very helpful staff, exhibits clearly laid out and well explained, and optional route for waterfall clearly marked and amazing to see!

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From The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission

Thanks so much for your lovely review

krishtia from Australia wrote on 25 October 2025

Great experience

Amazing experience, highly recommend

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From The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission

Thank you for visiting

Cindy from New Zealand wrote on 13 October 2025

Great experience

Very interesting museum and great that they preserve the memories of the people and village which were lost, lovely to see the hard work put into the excavation sites. Waterfall was amazing.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission

Thank you we appreciate the review - we are always trying to think about how to best preserve the history of the people and the area

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