The Waiau River flows through the town before reaching Te Waewae Bay, where it has its outflow into Foveaux Strait.

Tuatapere has a logging museum[7] and is located on the Southern Scenic Route from Invercargill to Te Anau making it a well-travelled tourist stop.

[8] A group of Hungarians settled in Tuatapere, but were assimilated into the general population by the mid 20th century.

On 20 October 1925, an extension was opened to Orawia, 14 kilometres to the north-east[10] but the line continued to be known as the Tuatapere Branch and an engine depot was established in the town.

Tuatapere was one of the closest settlements to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake which occurred on 15 July 2009, the largest in New Zealand since 1931.

Despite the earthquake's huge force, little damage was sustained and no injuries were reported.

[11] Longwood Forest statistical area covers 2,198.54 km2 (848.86 sq mi)[1] and also includes Clifden.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.2% had no religion, 32.8% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Hindu, 0.5% were Muslim, 0.6% were Buddhist and 1.1% had other religions.

The two schools merged again to form Tuatapere Community College in 2002, and this adopted the current name in 2012.