6 minute read
New Zealand Walks: A feast of waterfall walks in
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.
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Omanawa Falls
By Phillip Donnell
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...
McLaren Falls
Access: McLaren Falls Road, off SH29 at lower Kaimai.
Time: 15 minutes return loop.
Type: Segmented/Fan.
Frolic in the pools! McLaren Falls (3-10m) are set in native bush in the course of the Wairoa River. Normally they don’t have much water because of the power station dam located upstream, but when the floodgates are
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 place of” and “manawa” means both “mangrove” and “heart”.
Te Rerekawau (Kaiate) Falls
Access: 6 kilometres off Welcome Bay Road via Waitao and Kaiate Falls Roads.
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”.
Time: up to 1 hour return.
Type: Multi-step/Horsetail.
Stepping out in style! A complex of several waterfalls located within a 20 minute drive from Tauranga. The upper waterfall has three steps, while the lower one (15m) is a typical horsetail. They are located in a pretty, bush-filled ravine where the Owairoa Stream tumbles over ignimbrite bluffs.
The car-park has toilet and tables, with a panoramic view of Tauranga Harbour and Mount Maunganui. Kaiate means “meal of liver”.
Above left: Omanawa Falls. Below left: Te Rerekawau (Kaiate) Falls. Below right: Raparapahoe Falls.
Raparapahoe Falls
Access: 7 kilometres from Te Puke near the top of the second gorge on No.4 Road. Time: 1 hour return.
Type: Cataract/Chute.
A real little ripper! Despite the track’s rapid descent into a deep chasm, these falls are only 3 metres high. They are special because of their beautiful setting, breaking through a narrow cleft into a picturesque cliff-lined basin. The large pool filling the basin affords a rejuvenating swim on a warm day, a welcome respite before the exacting climb out. Make sure you hold the handrails on the steep, narrow and slippery wooden steps! The name means “wide paddle blade”.
Te Rere I Oturu Falls
Access: The track begins opposite Ngatuhoa Lodge on Frankham Road.
Time: 4-5 hours (6.7 kilometres each way).
Type: Curtain.
An absolute hidden gem! These 42-metre falls are similar to Te Urewera’s Korokoro Falls in having a broad flat façade, and are certainly worth the somewhat longer walk to reach them. I rate them as the best in the Bay.
A feast of waterfall walks in the Bay of Plenty
Above left: Te Rere I Oturu Falls. Above right: Tarawera Falls.
At their base, a track heads south to a junction, from which you can reach the top of the falls or take an alternative route back via the smaller Whio Falls (4m). Blue ducks are a common sight.
The names means “the leap of Oturu”, referring to how a local chief once escaped death at the hands of his pursuers.
Tarawera Falls
Access: Waterfall Road, Rotoiti Forest.
Time: 1 hour return.
Type: Tiered/Plunge.
The jewel in the crown! Energetic and quirky, these 65-metre falls thunder out of two nostrils halfway up a rock face! They are like natural water cannons, blasting mercilessly at the boulders below. In the surrounding area you’ll find bluffs, tomos, swimming holes, and thick forest – a wonderland of surprises and variety. An access permit obtained from the Kawerau I-Site is usually required. The name means “burnt bird-spear”.
Waiatiu Falls
Access: River Road car-park, Whirinaki Forest Park.
Time: 1.5 hours return.
Type: Horsetail.
Primeval permutations! These impressive falls are reached via an easy, well-graded track that passes through magnificent forest, dominated by towering examples of kahikatea, totara, matai, rimu, miro and much tawa.
This is ancient native woodland at its best, and it’s easy to imagine a sudden encounter with a dinosaur! The falls are spectacular from the viewing platform, which can be slippery, so take care.
Whataroa Falls
Access: Mountain Road car-park, Otanewainuku.
Time: 2 hours return.
Type: Horsetail/Multi-step.
Soul-building solitude! Whataroa Falls comprise a series of four water-
FOOTSTEPS
OFFERING THE BEST DAY WALKS IN 20 REGIONS OF NEW ZEALAND!
Each region has a week-long package (for 6-10 people), including transport and accommodation.
We welcome your enquiry: footstepsanz@gmail.com or phone 021 172 3244
falls located in a remote forest halfway between Tauranga and Rotorua. Though only the upper waterfall (8m) is easily accessible, the track and the falls are a very memorable excursion. The tawa-dominated forest is hung with supplejack.
Kiwi have recently been re-introduced to this reserve. The path to the lookout on Mount Otanewainuku commences at the same spot and helpful locals are often on hand to watch over your vehicle. The name means “long store house” or “tall/ elevated stage”.
Tutea Falls
Access: Trout Pool Road, Okere.
Time: 45 minutes return.
Type: Cataract/Chute.
Into the washing machine! It is claimed that Tutea is the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall (8m), so if you are there at the right time you can witness the thrills and spills! They sit in a narrow defile through which the Kaituna River tumbles and churns furiously as it drops from Lake Rotoiti.
At the foot of the falls, the Hinemoa Steps (a modern innovation) lead down to caves where Maori women and children were hidden for safety in times of war.
The name means “to push”, or may be a proper name.
Several of these waterfalls are included in the one-week Bay of Plenty and Coromandel itineraries sponsored by Footsteps Walking Club of Aotearoa New Zealand. For further information contact them: footsepsanz@gmail.com, 021 172 3244, or visit their website: www. footstepswalkingclub.com
Above right: Whataroa Falls. Below left: Waiatui Falls. Below right; Titea Falls.
