Waiatiu Falls Track
WalkBay of Plenty
- Grade
- Easy
- Walking time
- 1 hr 15 min
- Distance
- 3.2 km
- Dogs
- DOC permit only
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nzWhirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park is 90 km south-east of Rotorua, off SH 38. The track is reached via Minginui Road, off Te Whaiti Road (old SH 38), then via Old Te Whaiti Road and River Road, to the River Road car park.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 38.67292° S, 176.69432° E
About this place
A 1 hour 30 minutes return walk, the Waiatiu Falls Track in Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park leads through podocarp forest before reaching the picturesque falls.
The route
The easy track passes through magnificent podocarp forest to the spectacular falls - remember to take your camera! The viewing point is slippery so care is needed. It starts at the car park on River Road and continues southwest, crossing a small bridged stream before climbing via a short ridge to a terrace. The track heads south descending and crossing a number of small bridged streams then further south to the bridge Waiatiu Stream. The track then climbs over a small rise before descending to a viewing platform overlooking the Waiatiu Waterfall at the end of the track. You can visit some of the parks special features and shows off the magnificent 'dinosaur forst', dominated by towering examples of kahikatea, totara, matai, rimu, miro and much tawa. Rare species of bird life include North Island kaka, red and yellow crowned kakariki, robin and kereru.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Sanctuary Campsite
Basic • Bay of Plenty • 3.1 km
Sanctuary Campsite is a small camp located next to the Minginui Stream in the Bay of Plenty. The area offers walking tracks through podocarp forest.
Fire pit/place for campfires (except in fire bans) • Non-powered/tent sites • Water from stream
Verns Camp
Basic • Bay of Plenty • 5.6 km
Verns Camp is a campsite in the Bay of Plenty that serves as a good spot to stop for lunch. The site includes a shelter, a fireplace, and water.
Fire pit/place for campfires (except in fire bans) • Non-powered/tent sites • Water from stream
Mangamate campsite
Bay of Plenty • 7.5 km
Whirinaki Recreation Camp
Bay of Plenty • 7.6 km
Whirinaki Recreation Camp is a hut situated within the Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park in the Bay of Plenty. It serves as an outdoor recreation and…
Moerangi Hut
Standard • 9 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 8.7 km
Moerangi Hut is a DOC hut located on the Moerangi mountain biking and tramping track in Hawke's Bay. It is a popular destination for overnight trips or as part…
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- DOC Tracks (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).