Okere Falls
Okere Falls is where one of NZ’s first hydroelectric power stations was, it is a river that cascades between narrow, steep ravines to waters of Trout Pool. It is truly remarkable!!
Okere Falls was one of the most memorable stops on our January 2020 North Island trip.
Okere Falls is where one of NZ’s first hydroelectric power stations was, it is a river that cascades between narrow, steep ravines to waters of Trout Pool. It is truly remarkable!!
We headed up the first part of the track to the top of the hill, now I don’t know if it was because it was so hot or we were all tired but man it was steep!!!
The track was hot, dry and very sandy? it was strange to so sandy up so high – WARNING Wear good shoes!! it was very slippery from the dust. But the views were great !
From the top we went down to where we found the Kiwi Guardian Post.
We then carried on around until we found the first part of the water catchment area, the water was just incredible !! the kids spent a good bit of time checking it out.
We then headed around the river a bit to some rock steps that lead down to some cool shallow caves where you can watch the rafts and kayaks come down a waterfall !! its was amazing !!!
We spent about half an hour just watching these rafts and kayaks come down the incredible waterfall, it looked like so much fun!
This would be an amazing activity for those adventure junkies, while watching the fun we got chatting to a group of people who run the raft adventures. They were from Kaitiaki Adventures (link below in the adventure notes under helpful links). They very excitedly told us how they run the rafting and many other adventure based activities incorporating Maori culture and values in to experience. They also have a commitment to a sustainable future for all generations to enjoy – a 100% Pure NZ. The values they spoke of with such passion definitely resonated with us, when we head back one day we will definitely be looking them up to have enjoy one of their experiences.
After spending way to long watching these rafts and kayaks we headed back to the car.
The whole walk was about 2.5kms, we spend close to 2hrs exploring and watching the rafts.
The steep hill at the start would be a bit of a struggle for some small kids, there is also lots of places that small kids could easily get to the water. If you took young children with you I would keep a very very close eye on them as that water runs very fast!!!
I am so glad we stopped to check this out, and I fear my kids might drag me back here when they are older to do down those Falls, it is a very cool spot definitely work the hot steep walk !!!
Munchkin Review
"The rafting looked like so much fun, i want to have a go when i am big enough" Meika O'Donnell aged 7
Adventure Notes
Location
What to Bring
Good walking shoes and water
Time and Distance
The whole walk was about 2.5kms, we spend close to 2hrs exploring and watching the rafts.
Munchkin Info
Not Pram Friendly, Steep part at the start for wee kids but the rest achievable. Lots of spots open to fast moving water so keep little ones very close.
Cost
Free
Other Info
No Dogs
Facilities
- Toilets at the start
