Notable lake · Rotorua Lakes, Bay of Plenty
The Crater
The Crater is a lake in Rotorua Lakes, Bay of Plenty.
The Crater: crowds and conditions
Typical pattern: moderate; weekends busier. Been there recently? Post today’s status and it shows here for the next traveller.
Status options for this lake: Full / gates open · Low water level · Entry closed.
Best time to visit The Crater
Season: August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open.
Busiest days: Weekends and long holidays.
Crowd: Moderate; weekends busier.
Typical week: Mon light · Tue light · Wed light · Thu light · Fri light · Sat busy · Sun busy.
How to reach The Crater — distance from nearby cities
Coordinates: -38.28773, 176.48939. Road distances are estimates; the road-trip planner uses real routes and adds stops worth the detour.
Places to visit near The Crater
- Mount Tarawera · viewpoint · Rotorua Lakes · ~9 km · Must-see
- Waimangu · viewpoint · Rotorua Lakes · ~11 km · Must-see
- Maunga Kākaramea / Rainbow Mountain · viewpoint · Rotorua Lakes · ~12 km · Must-see
- Lady Knox Geyser · attraction · Rotorua Lakes · ~15 km · Must-see
- Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland · attraction · Rotorua Lakes · ~16 km · Must-see
- Champagne Pool · attraction · Rotorua Lakes · ~16 km · Must-see
- Maungaongaonga · viewpoint · Rotorua Lakes · ~17 km · Must-see
- Tarawera Falls · waterfall · Rotorua Lakes · ~18 km · Must-see
- Whakarewarewa Conservation Park · sanctuary · Rotorua Lakes · ~25 km · Must-see
- The Redwoods · park · Rotorua Lakes · ~30 km · Must-see
- Rotorua Museum · church · Rotorua Lakes · ~33 km · Must-see
- Jean Batten Memorial · attraction · Rotorua Lakes · ~33 km · Must-see
- Pūtauaki / Mount Edgecumbe · viewpoint · Whakatāne · ~37 km · Must-see
- Wingspan Bird of Prey Centre · sanctuary · Rotorua Lakes · ~42 km · Must-see
- Agrodome · attraction · Rotorua Lakes · ~43 km · Must-see
- Shweeb · attraction · Rotorua Lakes · ~43 km · Must-see
- Wairakei · viewpoint · Taupō · ~63 km · Must-see
- Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park · sanctuary · Whakatāne · ~64 km · Must-see
Other lakes, dams & reservoirs near The Crater
- Lake Rerewhakaaitu · lake · Rotorua Lakes · ~2 km
- Lake Rerewhakaaitu Recreation Reserve · lake · Rotorua Lakes · ~2 km
- Green Lake · lake · Rotorua Lakes · ~6 km
- Lake Rotomahana · lake · Rotorua Lakes · ~6 km
- Black Crater · lake · Rotorua Lakes · ~10 km
- Lake Tarawera Historic Reserve · lake · Rotorua Lakes · ~10 km
- Inferno Crater Lake · lake · Rotorua Lakes · ~10 km
- Frying Pan Lake · lake · Rotorua Lakes · ~10 km
- Lake Okaro · lake · Rotorua Lakes · ~11 km
- Southern Crater Lake · lake · Rotorua Lakes · ~11 km
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
Frequently asked
Is The Crater full? Are the gates open?
No visitor has reported the water level status for The Crater yet. Typical pattern: moderate; weekends busier. Busiest: Weekends and long holidays.
What is the best time to visit The Crater?
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open. Moderate; weekends busier.
What are the places to visit near The Crater?
Nearby: Mount Tarawera (viewpoint, 9 km), Waimangu (viewpoint, 11 km), Maunga Kākaramea / Rainbow Mountain (viewpoint, 12 km), Lady Knox Geyser (attraction, 15 km), Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (attraction, 16 km), Champagne Pool (attraction, 16 km).
Is The Crater worth visiting?
The Crater is listed as a notable lake in Bay of Plenty on Spotwander.