Lake Tarawera Jetty Sunrise

Lake Tarawera is about 25-minutes drive from Rotorua, and one of 17 lakes in the Rotorua Lakes area. The western shore of the lake is lined with houses, a mixture of both holiday baches and permanent homes. Lake Tarawera is often still and sheltered compared to the much larger Lake Rotorua, and is also several degrees warmer than other lakes in the area thanks to the thermal areas that flow in to the lake. A feature of the lake is the hundreds of jetties that are built on the populated side. This provides countless opportunities for photographers. 

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This area has to be my favourite spot in the North Island. I first came here on a trip as a teenager, kayaking to the campground on the eastern side of the lake. For the last four years, we have spent the week post-Christmas at Lake Tarawera with extended family, a tradition that I hope becomes permanent! This jetty is at the Cliff Road Reserve, and is one of my favourites on Lake Tarawera. For three of the last four years, I have come to this spot to watch the first sunrise of the New Year. This photo was taken a on New Year's Day, 2019.