Nestled on the outskirts of Tauranga is Omanawa Falls. Even though this waterfall and its surroundings have been a hot spot for some time, this newly developed track is one you don’t want to miss.
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For everything you need to know about the upgrade, from where to park to what to expect on the trail, I have you covered.
KEY INSIGHTS
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand
Duration: 1 hour (full track)
Length: 2.7km | 5miles (full track)
Elevation: 175m
Difficulty: Easy – Medium (depending on the route you decide to take)
Open: Year-round
Need to have: Water, snacks and sun protection.
THE OLD OMANAWA FALLS TRACK
Omanawa Falls Track isn’t a recent addition to the area, but is a well deserved upgrade. Before this new construction, the trail had been closed for years. Despite this, some still ventured through unshaped bush and down rusted ladders which lead directly to the base of the falls. The new trail doesn’t take you down to the waterfall, but its scenic lookouts offer breathtaking views, making it a worthwhile trip.
THE NEW OMANAWA FALLS TRACK
From the carpark the trail begins quite quickly with a gentle downward slope. After about 5 minutes of walking, you’ll hit the first lookout. This is a little confusing to some as the main track veers to the right and up your first set of stairs, however right at the end of this original path is a lookout of Omanawa Falls.
There are stairs galore on this trail. You’ll encounter a mix of ups and downs along the way, but the trail is well-kept, winding you through beautiful native bush.
Once you reach the first lookout, known as Wairere Tapu, if you have a good level of fitness and feeling up to it, you can then continue to Te Harikoa Lookout. This stretch is a bit tougher, starting with a downhill section. However, the 750 steps that await you is split fairly evenly between up and down.
The second lookout has the perspective of looking at Omanawa Falls from behind. It’s a great view of the valley so I would highly recommend walking this section too.
Below is a map provided by the Tauranga City website which visually outlines these trails.
OMANAWA FALLS HISTORY
One of the great things about this trail is how it explains the history of Omanawa Falls. You’ll find plenty of spots along the way where the stories of this sacred place unfold. It also offers insights into the abundant flora and fauna of New Zealand.
Exploring this history while actually walking the trail adds a nice element to the experience, so I’ll leave this for you to discover firsthand.
PARKING
Since this is a newly developed track parking has definitely been considered. I didn’t count but I would say that there is roughly 40 parks minimum. Plenty even if you are visiting during peak times.
You can find parking on Google Maps here.
THE AREA
The Tauranga area is known for many things as there is plenty to see and do. From walks and beaches to eateries or if shopping is more your vibe, this is the place.
Either before or after your visit to Omanawa Falls, I would also add McLaren Falls and McLarens Falls Park to your list. Take a picnic and enjoy the scenery. During Autumn it’s stunning with all of the trees turning different shades of gold, orange and red.
Mount Maunganui is also a popular spot, and one of my personal favourites, especially during summer.
In this post, we delved into the newly developed track to Omanawa Falls, a beautiful waterfall just outside Tauranga, NZ. Despite its longstanding popularity, the recent development of a new track adds a fresh dimension and we hope we have convinced you that it’s well worth the visit.