Tarawera Falls Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

The track runs between the Waterfall road carpark to the spectacular falls, where water surges out of fissures in a high cliff face. Limited access times and permits required.

This DOC directory entry covers Tarawera Falls Track in Bay of Plenty, within Lake Tarawera 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: 700 m return via same track
• Walking time: 20 min one way
• DOC grade: Easiest

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.

Seasonal restrictions

Access is only available for Saturday, Sunday and public holidays and requires a permit. See Getting there section for more information.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Follow the track that leaves the carpark heading upstream along the Tarawera River. You will reach a bridge crossing over Tarawera River and the track continues upstream until you arrive at the falls viewing area where you can fully appreciate their splendour. Signs at the viewpoint explain the cultural and natural significance of the area.

Back-track to return to the carpark or continue along the tramping track to Tarawera Outlet – around another 2 hours one way.

Note: There is structural damage on the Tarawera Falls Track. The track has been re-routed to allow access to and from the falls however, take care.

Facilities: A toilet is located at the carpark. There is a viewing area with a seat at the falls.

Getting there

Access to the Tarawera Falls carpark is from Kawerau township (off SH 30 between Rotorua and Whakatāne) via private forestry roads. A permit is required and access is only available for Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. The forest gate is closed during the hours of darkness. The forest road may be closed in summer when fire risk is high.

Access permits

You'll need to get a permit to access Tarawera Falls Carpark. Overnight parking at the Tarawera Falls Carpark is not permitted.

Use of the private forestry roads in the forest is at the discretion of the forestry owners. Check the conditions of your forestry permit.

Access permits can be obtained from the Kawerau isite Visitor Information Centre.

Kawerau isite Visitor Information CentrePlunket Street, Kawerau 3127Phone: +64 7 323 6300Email: infocentre@kaweraudc.govt.nzOpening hours for Kawerau isite Visitor Information Centre

Nature and conservation

The spectacular Tarawera Falls — where water surges out of fissures in a large rock cliff-face surrounded by native bush. The cliff is the end of an ancient rhyolitic lava flow that is believed to have poured from an erupting Mt Tarawera about 11,000 years ago. An abrupt stop to the flow produced these high cliffs.

Vegetation here has developed since the 1886 Tarawera eruption. Both pohutukawa and rata are found. An unusual feature is the range of hybrids between these two closely related species that occurs in the area. Evidence of this interbreeding can be seen in the variety of different leaf shapes found on the forest floor here.

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.