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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: -37.41889, 175.76431. 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
- 200 m one way
- Walking time
- 5 min one way
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Karangahake Gorge
- Dog access
- Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. 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
This picturesque waterfall in the Karangahake Gorge is a lovely picnic spot.
This DOC directory entry covers Owharoa Falls Track in Bay of Plenty, within Karangahake Gorge. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 200 m one way
- Walking time: 5 min one way
- DOC grade: Easy
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.
- Closures on Karangahake Gorge walks and cycleways; First published on 21 August 2026. Last reviewed on 28 September 2026.
Dog access
Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
A short track leads from the road to the spectacular Owharoa Falls.
Getting there
Turn off State Highway 2 onto Waitawheta Road. Follow Waitawheta Road for 170 m (1 minute). There is a small area beside the road for parking and a DOC sign at the start of Owharoa Falls Track. It is a short walk to the waterfall.
The road around Owharoa Falls is often very busy with cars, bikes and walkers. Travel slowly and watch for other road users.
Know before you go
Water safety
Take care if you decide to swim at the waterfall. There are deep holes, slippery rocks and unseen obstacles. Currents and undertows can be very strong and swimmers can become trapped under the water – a person drowned while swimming here in 2012.
The river rises substantially after heavy rain and storms. Very large volumes of water travel over the falls during these times – we strongly recommend staying out of the water during these events and always check the weather prior to visiting.
See Water Safety New Zealand's jumping and swimming webpages for information on how to stay safe while river swimming.
Keep to the track
Keep to the track as the rocks are slippery.
No fires
No fires are allowed.
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.
