Tutea Falls and Caves on the Kaituna River
Located along the Kaituna River's Okere Falls Track, Tutea Falls and Caves provide both natural highlights and Māori history. The seven-metre-high Tutea Falls are named after a Māori rangatira buried in a cave behind the falls. This area has been a part of New Zealand's tourism landscape since the 1800s, attracting visitors with its scenic and cultural significance.
Navigating the Track
To reach Tutea Falls, follow the Okere Falls Track from the car park on Trout Pool Road. About halfway along the track, there are signposted steps leading down a cliff face above the Kaituna River. The path is carved into the cliffside, with views of the falls and the pool below. Although steep, narrow and featuring short tunnels, the track is secured with a fence for safety.
At the bottom, you'll find a modest cave entrance and a small viewing platform, separate from the cave where Chief Tutea is buried. Historically, the caves provided a strategic refuge for local Māori during times of conflict.
Rafting Thrills at Tutea Falls
For adventure seekers, the Rotorua Rafting trip on the Kaituna River provides an exhilarating experience. The highlight is the drop over Tutea Falls, the highest commercially accessible rafting drop in the world. If you visit during a rafting trip, expect to see photographers capturing the action and safety personnel ready to assist anyone who might need help after the descent. Despite the thrill, many have taken the plunge and lived to tell the tale.
Getting to Tutea Falls
From Rotorua, take State Highway 30 north along the east side of the lake. Continue north on State Highway 33, where SH30 turns east. Drive through the small township of Okere Falls, at the west end of Lake Rotoiti, then turn left into Trout Pool Road. The car park is about 300 metres along the road on the right.
Other attractions around the north end of Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti include attractive walks along the road to Lake Ōkataina, such as the Te Auheke Track and the Ngahopua Track, and the Hinehopu/Hongis Track at Hinehopu at the east end of Lake Rotoiti.
