New Zealand Walks
opened they are often transformed. Adjacent is a 190ha reserve containing one of New Zealand’s finest botanical collections, extensive walkways, a trout-stocked lake, grassy picnic spots, 42 species of bird, a glow-worm grotto, animal park, lodges and camping areas. It’s a glorious spot for autumn colours.
Omanawa Falls
By Phillip Donnell
Access: 11 kilometres up Omanawa Road off SH29. Time: 30 minutes return. Type: Plunge. Amphitheatrical! The track follows an old access path to the power station (built 1914-16). It leads down into the Hidden Gorge Scenic Reserve then sidles a ledge carved into the rocky cliffs (handrails provided), ending abruptly at a steel door. The wispy falls drop 21 metres into a deep circular pool surrounded by forest-lined cliffs that the water has relentlessly sculptured. Nearby are the sites of several ancient Maori forts. “O” means “the McLaren Falls place of” and “manawa” means both Access: McLaren Falls Road, off “mangrove” and “heart”. SH29 at lower Kaimai. Te Rerekawau (Kaiate) Time: 15 minutes return loop. Falls Type: Segmented/Fan. Access: 6 kilometres off Welcome Frolic in the pools! McLaren Falls Bay Road via Waitao and Kaiate (3-10m) are set in native bush in the Falls Roads. course of the Wairoa River. Normally they don’t have much water because of the power station dam located up- Above left: Owharoa Falls. Below stream, but when the floodgates are right: McLaren Falls.
A feast of waterfall walks in the Bay of Plenty One thing the Bay of Plenty has no shortage of is waterways. A surprising number of rivers rise in its hinterland and gradually make their way down to the sea: the Whakatane, Tarawera, Rangitaikei, Kaituna, Whirinaki, Ohinemuri and Wairoa. They, in turn, are fed by numerous streams. The net result is a wealth of wonderful walks to waterfalls, ideal for family outings...
Owharoa Falls
Access: Waitawheta Road (off SH2 at Waikino). Time: 10 minutes return from Waitawheta Road. Type: Fan. A grand entrance! The Karangahake Gorge is a spectacular corridor into the western Bay of Plenty. Among its array of notable natural features are these falls, where the Taieri Stream takes three large leaps into the Ohinemuri River, just a couple of kilometres drive from the main highway. Only the first and third (6m) waterfalls are accessible, while the top of the second one may be seen from the road. The name means “long lasting food for a journey”.
32 Walking New Zealand, issue no 286 - 2022
www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz
