Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)

Lake Tikitapu - Blue Lake

This lush lake is surrounded by bush-clad mountains and is popular with locals and visitors alike. Lake Tikitapu, also known as Blue Lake, is an exceptionally popular site for swimming and water sports, including water skiing, jet skiing, rowing and power boat racing. The name Tikitapu comes from a sacred greenstone necklace, believed to have been worn and lost in the lake by the daughter of a high-ranking chief.

The reserve is located on Tarawera Road and is an ideal spot for picnicking. The Blue Lake Track (5.5km) is accessible from the reserve, taking you around the lake and past swimming beaches on the south side of the lake. There is also a lookout and carpark between the Blue and Green Lakes.

Special conditions apply for water skiing: check information on the signs at the boat ramp.

Reserve facilities:

Children's playground
Public toilets
Barbecues (electric, on timer)
Picnic tables
Ski lane and boat ramp
Treasure this place - take your rubbish with you.

Other nearby facilities

There is no overnight parking or camping at the Lake Tikitapu reserve. However, there is a campground nearby offering powered and unpowered campsites, cabins and motel units. Visit the Rotorua NZ website to learn more about things to do at Lake Tikitapu.

Blue Lake | Lake Tikitapu - rotoruanz.com

Lake Rotokākahi - Green Lake

This lake, renowned for its green-coloured water, is viewable from the lookout between Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Rotokākahi (Green Lake). Rotokākahi means "the lake of the shellfish kakahi".

Rotokākahi is sacred to Māori, and Motutawa Island in the middle of the lake is the burial ground of many Māori ancestors. Please note this lake is privately owned by local iwi (tribes) and no swimming, fishing or boating in the lake is permitted.

The lake can also be viewed from the Green Lake Mountain Bike Track Lookout, which is part of the Forest Loop Mountain Bike trail.

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Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)