Lake Tarawera

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Lake Tarawera
image_lake = Lake Tarawera.jpg
caption_lake =
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location = Rotorua District, Bay of Plenty Region, North Island
coords = coord|38|12|S|176|27|E|region:NZ_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = New Zealand
length = 56km
width =
area = 39 km²
depth = 55 m
max-depth = 87 m
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
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cities =

Lake Tarawera is the largest of a series of lakes which surround the volcano Mount Tarawera in the North Island of New Zealand. Like the mountain, it lies within the Okataina caldera. It is located 18 kilometres to the east of Rotorua, and five kilometres to the west of the mountain.

The lake is filled primarily by sources from the nearby Blue (Lake Tikitapu) and Green (Lake Rotokakahi) lakes. Lake Tarawera is home to eels and rainbow trout. In summer it is popular for both fishing and water sports, and also camping as there a number of hot water beaches. Lake Tarawera's outflow is at its north end, into the Tarawera River, which flows northeast into the Bay of Plenty. The lake's surface area is 39 km².

The lake was substantially affected by the eruption of Mount Tarawera on June 10, 1886. The eruption killed over 150 people, and buried the Māori village of Te Wairoa on the southwest shore of the lake.