Hike the Okere Falls Track

Yeah, you heard right. If you don't want to take on the world's largest commercial whitewater rafting waterfall, Tutea Falls (7m), then you can take a nice and easy walk instead! (More info on rafting at the end for the interested adrenaline junkies.)

Okere Falls is 20km north of Rotorua, to the east of Lake Rotorua, and right next to Lake Rotoiti on Trout Pool road off SH 33. Shortly after you turn onto the road, the carpark will be to the right.

To the right of the carpark there are the original steps that take you down to where the Okere Falls Power Station once was. And to the left of the carpark is the beginning of the main track where you'll see the giant turbine that was a part of the station.

The track is a well maintained bushwalk along the Okere River (which is just a part of the Kaituna River that goes further on.) A lot of Māori history sits on this land. There are several awesome platforms along the track for your viewing pleasures ending at Trout Pool where you'll see some "raft surfing" (as I call it) and sledging.

P.S. There is a fantastic eco-friendly cafe called Okere Falls Store just around the corner back on the main highway (you'll drive past it coming from Rotorua.) It's awesome. Do take a seat and enjoy some fresh food (mostly vegan and vegetarian) and delicious coffee or beer. Also, CASH ONLY!

P.S.S. If you're down to take on Tutea Falls, I rafted with the homies over at Kaituna Cascades. They're awesome, take great action photos, and also do a couple of different rafting trips! Totally give them a shout.

P.S.S.S. Yo. Free glow worms! There are many locations around New Zealand to see glow worms at night and the Okere Falls Track is one of them. It's pitch black here at night, especially in the bushes of this track. View the beautiful glow worms with the sound of the rushing river beside you.