Discover the Tarawera Falls Walk
Located in a relatively remote part of the Bay of Plenty region, the Tarawera Falls Walk is a beautiful short walk through native forest along the Tarawera River. This walk leads you to the stunning Tarawera Falls, where the river dramatically emerges from a fissure in a large rock face. The vibrant colours of the river along the walk are reminiscent of the Blue Springs near Putāruru in the Waikato, making this a visually striking experience.
Accessing Tarawera Falls Road
Before starting the trip, visit the Kawerau iSite visitor centre off Plunket Street to purchase a road pass, around $10. This pass provides directions and access to Tarawera Falls Road, a private forestry road. The road is only open to visitors on weekends and public holidays.
The forest along the road has been heavily harvested, providing insight into the forestry industry, though the views are not particularly scenic. You'll reach the edge of the native forest just before the car park.
Walking to Tarawera Falls
From the car park at the road's end, follow the track along the Tarawera River. The walk to the falls is approximately 600 metres and includes a bridge crossing. The forest, dominated by pōhutukawa and rātā, and their hybrids, dates back only to the late 1880s. An older forest was destroyed by the Mount Tarawera eruption in 1886.
The river's vibrant colours and the surrounding landscape create a picturesque setting. As you continue, the path leads you between impressive boulders to the falls viewpoint. From here, you can also choose to walk to the top of the falls to explore the stunning Cascade Loop or to hike an extra hour ot visit Lake Tarawera.
How to Get There
To reach the start of the Tarawera Falls Walk, head to the Kawerau iSite visitor centre to obtain a road pass. Follow the directions provided to access Tarawera Falls Road on the southeast side of the town. Drive carefully along the 28 km forestry road, keeping an eye out for trucks. The car park and track access are at the end of the road. The drive from Kawerau takes 30 minutes and is 24 km. From Rotorua, it is 90 minutes (80 km) and from Tauranga, 100 minutes (115 km).
