Short Walks Around Lake Waikaremoana, Te Urewera

Waterfalls at Āniwaniwa

Near the Āniwaniwa Visitor Centre and holiday park, several short walks let you choose between a loop past waterfalls, a closer river viewpoint or a separate cascade reached along the road. The Hinerau Walk starts and finishes near the visitor centre, making it the natural first choice if you want to stay on foot and return to your starting point. It is described as an easy stroll suitable for all. DOC

The Hinerau route passes the three cascades collectively known as Āniwaniwa Falls. The first is Bridal Veil, which drops 15 m; farther along, Momahaki Fall lies across an island in the river. From the next viewpoint down, Momahaki and the 11 m lower fall appear together. The lower falls are called Te Tangi o Hinerau, a name that commemorates Hinerau, a high-ranking Tuhoe woman famed for her beauty. The route continues past a lake view before returning to the visitor centre. DOC

River, beech and lake history

For a closer look at the falls, take the Āniwaniwa Falls Track on the opposite side of the river from Hinerau. This 20 min return walk descends to a quiet stretch below the bottom falls. Black swans and mallards share the water with native scaup and pied shags, adding a different focus to the waterfall visit. DOC

Papakorito Falls makes a separate stop: from the visitor centre, drive or walk 2 km up Āniwaniwa Road, opposite the centre, to reach the 20 m cascade. For a walk between the holiday park and visitor centre, the Black Beech Walk takes 30 min one way along the former road line. Lake Waikaremoana was lowered 5 m in 1946; the easier replacement road was built on the former lake beach. The old alignment now gives views over Home Bay toward the holiday park and Panekire Bluff, with black beech growing beside the track. DOC

Whaitiri Point and the rata trees

From the back of Waikaremoana Motor Camp, the Hinau Walk climbs to Whaitiri Point in 20 min one way, with views over the lake. The point’s former Lake House Hotel opened in 1900 and became the official Government Tourist Hotel in 1909. After the Wairoa–Rotorua Road opened, the hotel launched its own boat, the Ruapani; it closed in 1972 and was demolished 5 years later. These traces make the viewpoint a brief walk into the area’s accommodation history as well as a lake lookout. DOC

Across the road, the Ngamoko Track connects with the Tawa Walk, a 30 min round trip described clockwise. Follow Ngamoko briefly from Whaitiri Point, turn left onto the Tawa circuit, then rejoin Ngamoko and turn right to return to the road. The tawa’s willow-like yellow-green foliage and northern rata growing on host trees are key sights. A short detour left on Ngamoko reaches one of the country’s biggest rata trees. DOC

Choosing a longer viewpoint

Lou’s Lookout suits walkers who want a climb rather than a lakeside stroll. About 9 km from the visitor centre toward Wairoa, its track begins on the uphill side of the road and rises through rock bluffs and huge forest boulders to a viewing platform over Lake Waikaremoana and Panekire Bluff. The route lies on an old landslide from the end of Ngamoko, dated to 2,200 years ago. Strong winds can whip up the lake below, a reminder that the outlook changes with conditions. DOC

For a gentler outing, Whatapo Bay is about 5.6 km toward Wairoa and takes 10 min return. The walk reaches a shallow sandy bay suited to swimming and picnicking, with wide views. The lowered lake left former shore benches and beaches exposed; some have been slow to return to forest. Walkers should also note the area’s access rule: dogs are not permitted, while other pets are subject to conservation-land rules. DOC