Tag Archives: waterfalls

Te Rere o Ōmanawa/Ōmanawa Falls (Update)

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Public access to view Ōmanawa Falls opened in December 2023 after a lengthy closure. Extensive work has been done on a new parking area, toilets, information panels, access tracks, steps and viewing platforms. For information about the falls and the previous viewing access see the post Omanawa Falls. Official information about the falls, including opening times, and a downloadable map of the new tracks can be found on the Tauranga City web site.

Development work was done with the involvement of Ngāti Hangarau, for whom the falls are a sacred place, a place for reflection, interpretation and healing. There is no public access to the lake at the bottom of the falls or the underground power station. The end of the track and last lookout is almost directly above the top of the falls.

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Waireinga/Bridal Veil Falls, Raglan

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Waireinga/Bridal Veil Falls is a 55-metre high, spectacular waterfall in the Raglan area of Waikato. The falls are well signposted and accessible from SH23, along Te Mata Road and continuing about 4 km along Kawhia Road. There is a parking area alongside Kawhia Road, and a wide track with an easy gradient leads from the parking area, past DoC toilets and a picnic area, to the top of the falls. At the top of the falls there are two viewing platforms, one looking straight down the waterfall and the other looking across to the whole waterfall.

The easy track to the top of the waterfalls is about 500 metres long, and follows the Pakoka River through native forest. The track from the top to the bottom of the falls is steep, with 261 formed steps. About halfway down there is another viewing platform, and at the bottom there is a bridge across Pakoka River with direct views of the falls, and a shelter with information panels. Information about the falls can be found on the DoC web site. Dogs are not allowed at the falls, and the water is not suitable for swimming.

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