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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -38.13690, 176.42458. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 10.5 km one way
- Walking time
- 3 hr one way
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Lake Ōkataina Scenic Reserve
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
Enjoy splendid lake views through native bush with the option to branch off the track and head down to Lake Ōkataina at several bays.
This DOC directory entry covers Eastern Ōkataina Walkway in Bay of Plenty, within Lake Ōkataina Scenic Reserve. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 10.5 km one way
- Walking time: 3 hr one way
- DOC grade: Advanced
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
- Eastern Ōkataina Walkway closed; First published on 26 January 2021. Last reviewed on 1 September 2026.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The track starts from Lake Ōkataina car park at Tauranganui Bay and ends at Humphries Bay at Lake Tarawera.
From Lake Ōkataina car park the track heads south, passing Te Koutu Point and a large natural amphitheatre named the Soundshell, formed by volcanic rock cliffs. The track continues meandering through native bush, offering splendid lake views.
There are several options to branch off the track and head down to the lake at Te Koutu, Kaiwaka Bay and Ōtangimoana Bay.
From Ōtangimoana Bay, the track climbs away from Lake Ōkataina overland and then descends into Humphries Bay at Lake Tarawera.
Return the same way or continuing to Tarawera Outlet along the Northern Tarawera Track.
Lake Ōkataina car park to Soundshell, 10 min
Soundshell to Kaiwaka Bay, 40 min
Kaiwaka Bay to Ōtangimoana Bay, 1 hr 50 min
Ōtangimoana Bay to Humphries Bay, 20 min
Getting there
The track starts from the car park at the end of Lake Ōkataina Road. Turn onto Lake Ōkataina Road from SH 30 (Whakatane/ Rotorua highway) at Ruato, 22 km from Rotorua.
Know before you go
A short section of this track suffers from occasional rock falls. Do not stop on the track between the sign posts indicating this hazard.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
