By Outdoor Next Editorial standards
On this page
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: -38.64862, 175.66193. 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
- 730 m return via same track
- Walking time
- 15 min
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Pureora Forest Park
- 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
This short walk leads to a viewing platform over a lagoon, where tall trees are reflected in the water.
This DOC directory entry covers Waihora Lagoon Walk in Waikato, within Pureora Forest Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 730 m return via same track
- Walking time: 15 min
- 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.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This lagoon is one of the most beautiful spots in the Pureora Forest Park park, surrounded by tall rimu and kahikatea that reflect in the water.
The track is well-formed with a boardwalk snaking through the trees to a platform beside the lagoon – a shallow ephemeral wetland surrounded by swamp forest.
Getting there
From SH32 turn onto Waihora Road (signposted). Follow this gravel road for about. 7 km before turning into the Waihora Lagoon car park.
The gravel road is in disrepair and is only recommended for 4WD vehicles.
Know before you go
The lagoon can dry out in summer.
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.
