Waipori Falls Road Scenic Route to Central Otago
To the west of the Taieri Plain, the high hills, including the prominent Maungatua peak at 895 metres, mark the entrance to the largely uninhabited, arid highlands of Central Otago. This region is accessible via a remote gravel scenic drive along the Waipori River, with a combination of dramatic scenery and historical hydroelectric development.
Driving Waipori Falls Road
Starting from Berwick, you can follow Waipori Falls Road. This road, though often narrow and winding, provides a picturesque journey as it traces the path of the Waipori River. The route is notable for its relatively untouched native beech forest, a rarity in this part of New Zealand, which is dominated by exotic pines. Along the way, several unmarked stopping points provide access to the river, so be sure to watch for these opportunities. The road also ascends up another 60 metres above the river gorge and a man-made lake, presenting excellent viewpoints.
After 30 minutes, you reach the small, remote township of Waipori Falls, which exists to support the hydro scheme. There is also a short walk to the actual Waipori Falls waterfall.
Exploring the Waipori River Power Scheme
The Waipori River power generation scheme has four power stations established from 1907 to 1949, supplying 36 megawatts of electricity to Dunedin. The early facilities were amongst the oldest hydro schemes in New Zealand. The dam and station at Waipori Falls are the easiest facilities for the public to access.
Beyond this hamlet, the road continues to Lake Mahinerangi, a hydro lake established in the early 1900s to aid the Waipori River power scheme. While this section of the road is less visually stimulating, as it traverses a large commercial plantation forest, it eventually opens up to reveal the more appealing high-rolling hills surrounding the lake.
From Lake Mahinerangi, you can either head to Lawrence and State Highway 8 to Central Otago, or towards State Highway 87 to Middlemarch.
How to Get There
To reach this scenic route from Dunedin, take State Highway 1 south towards Lake Waihola. Turn northwest onto Berwick Road shortly before the lake and drive to the hamlet of Berwick. They turned right and almost immediately left onto Waipori Falls Road. The drive from Dunedin takes 30 minutes and is 37 km. Allow an hour to drive from Berwick to Lake Mahinerangi from Berwick.
Nearby Berwick, you can also visit the Sinclair Wetlands, one of the most substantial wetlands in New Zealand.
