A feast of waterfall walks in the Bay of Plenty
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
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