Image: John van Rooy | Creative Commons
Lake Rerewhakaaitu.
Lake Rerewhakaaitu Recreation Reserve

Located in the Bay of Plenty region

Camping, picnicking and boating are all popular recreational activities at Lake Rerewhakaaitu. A significant site for wildlife, the lake supports breeding populations of dabchicks, scaup and banded dotterel.
  • The lake is the only water source, so brring your own or boil/filter lake water.
  • Toilets are provided.
  • Open fires are prohibited – use barbecue facilities where provided, or portable gas cookers.
  • There is no rubbish collection, so take your rubbish with you.

No dogs are permitted at the reserve, including Ashpit Road Campsite and Brett Road Campsite.

Dogs are not allowed in areas administered by DOC in the Rotorua area.

Lake Rerewhakaaitu is a shallow lake formed nearly 11,000 years ago when volcanic eruptions from Mount Tarawera blocked water flow.

Mount Tarawera still dominates the landscape as a reminder of the volcanic process which have produced the landforms in this area.

The lake and the surrounding recreation reserve offer a tranquil environment for many species including 46 different bird species - 9 of these classified as threatened.

It supports the largest breeding population of banded dotterel in the Rotorua Ecological District.