Last updated October 2026
The Isthmus Track links Lake Tarawera and Lake Rotomahana in Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve, beneath the majestic bulk of Mount Tarawera.
When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC listed this track as closed: “Isthmus Track is closed due to windfalls and slips.” DOC called it a long-term alert, so check the DOC page for its status before planning a visit.
When open, it is what DOC calls an easy short walk, allowing about 20 minutes. DOC notes that visitors boating on Lake Tarawera often tie up at Rāpatu Bay and walk over the Isthmus Track to Lake Rotomahana. The track is about 22 km from Rotorua.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Isthmus Track on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- Rāpatu Bay on Lake Tarawera (DOC notes boaties often tie up here)
- Distance from the city
- about 22 km from Rotorua
- Walking time
- 20 min (when open)
- Track length
- 1.2 km one way
- Grade
- Easy
- Dogs
- No Dogs
- Track type
- Short walk
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Status
- Closed when checked on 18 October 2026 (windfalls and slips). Check DOC for reopening.
About Isthmus Track
The Isthmus Track crosses the narrow strip of land between two of Rotorua’s most storied lakes, with Mount Tarawera dominating the view. When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC listed it as closed because of windfalls and slips, with no reopening date, so don’t plan to walk it until DOC lists it as open again.
When open, it is a short, easy walk. DOC notes that boaties on Lake Tarawera often tie up at Rāpatu Bay and walk across the isthmus to Lake Rotomahana.
Lake Rotomahana
The Pink and White Terraces, destroyed in the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption, once made Lake Rotomahana internationally famous. DOC notes that steaming cliffs and silica terraces are still a feature of the lake today, and many rare ferns and orchids grow in the thermal areas.
DOC says the lake and its margins are a wildlife refuge for many kinds of waterfowl, and powerboats are kept off the lake in May while the birds breed.
Geothermal Water Warning
If you bathe in geothermal water in this area, do not put your head under. DOC warns of the risk of amoebic meningitis, a fatal disease caused by water containing the amoeba entering through the nose. Check the DOC page for alerts before you go.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Isthmus Track: track information, alerts and status. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Department of Conservation: Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve: other tracks, campsites and alerts around Lake Tarawera.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Isthmus Track open?
Not when we checked on 18 October 2026. DOC said the Isthmus Track was closed due to windfalls and slips under a long-term alert. Check the DOC page for updates.
Where does the Isthmus Track go?
It links Lake Tarawera and Lake Rotomahana, crossing from Rāpatu Bay on Lake Tarawera.
How long is the walk when open?
DOC allows about 20 minutes. The track is 1.2 km one way, and DOC calls it an easy short walk.
How do people usually reach it?
DOC notes that visitors boating on Lake Tarawera often tie up at Rāpatu Bay and walk over to Lake Rotomahana.
What happened to the Pink and White Terraces?
They were destroyed in the Mount Tarawera eruption of 1886. Steaming cliffs and silica terraces still remain at Lake Rotomahana.
Are dogs allowed?
No. DOC’s rule for this track is No Dogs.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track facts and line: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026, CC BY 4.0. Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.