Waterfall
Photospot
We were lucky enough to experience this full walk when we stayed at the Lake Tarawera Outlet (Te Tapahoro) Campsite back when they allowed road access. There is warm water here which was so nice to soak! We both tried forward flips of the jetty too and absolutely wrecked ourselves! anyways, back to directions. We walked from here all the way to Tarawera falls which was phenomenal! We stopped by the gorgeous swimming hole on the way.
The Tarawera River Swimming Hole is a beautiful spot along the Tarawera Outlet Track where you can take a refreshing (yes cold) swim in the crystal-clear turquoise water. There is normally a rope swing there and a big log you can jump off.
Know before you go:
Important to note: The current is strong here as you can see in the Facebook video below. If you have kids, please have an adult downstream like in the Facebook video here: www.facebook.com/share/r/17JGfXou5F/
The last 20 km of the route is on gravel logging roads
Access to the Tarawera Falls, a permit is required and access is only available for Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. The forest gate is closed during the hours of darkness. The forest road may be closed in summer when fire risk is high. A map and directions are available at the Kawerau Information Centre.
Access permits can be obtained from the Kawerau isite Visitor Information Centre.
Kawerau isite Visitor Information Centre
Plunket Street, Kawerau 3127
Phone: +64 7 323 6300
Email: infocentre@kaweraudc.govt.nz
Directions:
The track can be walked in either direction and accessed from either end:
The Outlet to Tarawera Falls: access by boat or walking Northern Tarawera Track. The Outlet is not accessible by road.
Tarawera Falls to The Outlet: access by parking at the Tarawera Falls Track car park – see permit requirements in the Getting there section.
The description below describes starting from The Outlet.
The track begins at the Tarawera Outlet bridge. Cross the bridge and take the right hand track at the junction. The track meanders through the native bush, largely following the river.
If you're going to swim beside the track we recommend caution, due to underwater currents and the nature of the river. However, a popular swimming spot is around 1 hour 30 minutes from the Outlet, at a wider and shallower stretch of the river where the water runs more gently.
Shortly afterwards, the track divides for a brief distance before both tracks rejoin. The track then zigzags down a steep escarpment to a viewing area at the base of the falls.
Where the track skirts the top of Tarawera Falls, it's possible to reach the cliff-face with high drop-offs. Stay behind barriers, keep to the track and keep your children supervised.
The Waterfall Road carpark is a short 20 minute walk past the falls. For those wanting to picnic beside the river, there is a beautiful spot just 100 metres back along Waterfall Road from the carpark.
Facilities: Toilets are located at Tarawera Outlet and at the Tarawera Falls carpark. There is a viewing area with a seat at the falls.
Handy websites:
