The Tarawera Falls are spectacular with the water surging straight out of fissures high in a cliff face. The bluff was formed by a massive lava flow! Continuing on up the bluff to the top of the falls you find where the Tarawera River disappears underground, astonishing that such a big river does that. There’s numerous waterfalls and cascades as you walk further upstream and the blues of the water is remarkable. A couple of hours further on, I reached the Tarawera Outlet, Tarawera Lake and enjoyed a picnic lunch of lettuce wraps at the DOC camp.

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The road to the Camp is currently closed so there’s foot or boat access only. It’s a lovely camp site which I plan to return to for an overnight camp.

The track is very well benched and you access it via Kawerau. Permits from the Kawerau iSite are required as you enter through private forest land. Don’t rely on Google Maps as there’s closed roads, iSite will advise which roads are open.

The Facts:

Tarawera Falls Track, Kawerau

ℹ️Stats

📅 Date: 05/02/2023

Weather: New Zealand Summer; overcast with light showers

🌲Location: Tarawera Falls Track, Kawerau, Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand

⛺️ Accommodation: Camped at Lake Okareka $15

🥾Kawerau Falls Track Permit: $10

Tarawera Falls Track

Waterfalls Road End Carpark to Tarawera Outlet, Lake Tarawera return

Moving Time: 3:17:53 (hiking / tramping)

Elapsed Time: 4:30:38

Distance: 12:54 km

Elevation Gain: 212 metres

Maximum Elevation: 309 metres

🌲🌳🏕🌲🌳 Sounds of nature🌲🌳🏕🌲🌳