Lake Tikitapu is a small, circular lake framed by pretty native bush and forestry. Famous for its striking colour, it is affectionately known by locals as the Blue Lake. Along with the others, Lake Tikitapu lies within a volcanic crater formed within the last 300,000 years. The blue colour of the lake can be attributed to rhyolite and pumice on the lake bed. The lake has no visible outlet; however, subsurface flow drains towards Lake Tarawera.