Top Walks in Wairoa, Lake Waikaremoana, Morere and Mahia
There’s nothing quite like exploring off-the-beaten-path locations in New Zealand and Northern Hawke’s Bay is a great place to do it. The best way to see the epic scenery and discover the sights of Wairoa, Mahia, Lake Waikaremoana and Morere is to get out there and do these walks in Northern Hawke’s Bay!
From the rugged coasts of the Mahia Penninsula to the stunning rainforest set around Lake Waikaremoana, there are plenty of awesome walks in Northern Hawke’s Bay. Take in the culture and history along the Wairoa River Walkway or delve into the Onepoto Caves. Walks among the nikau palm trees of the Morere walking tracks or take a quick walk to the Te Reinga Falls. You have all your wilderness bases covered in Northern Hawke’s Bay and the Wairoa district.
For more things to do in the wider Hawke’s Bay region, be sure to check out our Hawke’s Bay destination category.
1. Onepoto Caves Track (2 Hours Return)
A walk in the Te Urewera forest, around Lake Waikaremoana, has to top the list of walks in Northern Hawke’s Bay! Lake Waikaremoana has a wealth of awesome walking tracks that we go into detail in 17 Stunning Lake Waikaremoana Walks, but one of the standout tracks is the Onepoto Caves Track. Situated on the side of the Te Urewera forest closest to Wairoa, the Onepoto Caves Track is full of wonderful rock features from caves to tunnels. There are also some views of Lake Waikaremoana thrown in there. If you were only to do one short walk around Lake Waikaremoana, then the Onepoto Caves caves is certainly a strong contender.
Location: Just off State Highway 38 approximately 10km (6 miles) south of Aniwaniwa.
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Mangakawa Track (2h30mins Return)
Delve into some of the most magnificently diverse rainforest on the North Island. The Mangakawa Track is a longer walking track in the Morere Springs Scenic Reserve, taking you along streams to waterfalls and small river gorges. The forest is full of nikau palm trees – you won’t find many tracks like it in New Zealand. For more walks in the Morere Scenic Reserve, see our Wairoa Guide.
Location: The track can be accessed from the main entrance of the Morere Springs Scenic Reserve and Hot Springs. The track is about 500m (547 yards) from State Highway 2.
© NZPocketGuide.com3. Te Reinga Falls Scenic Reserve (5 Minutes One Way)
Ok, so five minutes is hardly a walk but if you love getting off the beaten track and you love to see a good waterfall, then the Te Reinga Falls Scenic Reserve is for you! Marvel at the 35m (115ft) falls at a fantastic viewpoint.
Location: 35km (22 miles) inland from Wairoa. Turn right at Frasertown onto State Highway 36 and follow to Te Reinga. Turn left across the bridge over the river and the car park is at the western end of the bridge.
© Department of Conservation4. Mahia Penninsula Scenic Reserve Track (2h30mins Loop)
For epic coastal views mixed with a bushwalk, you can’t do better than the Mahia Penninsula Scenic Reserve Track. This loop walk takes you through semi-coastal forest to various lookouts over the rugged coast of the Mahia Penninsula broken up by pristine beaches. For more details and things to do in Mahia, check out 11 Mahia Peninsula Must-Dos.
Location: 7km (4.3 miles) from Mahia Beach up the winding gravel road, Kinikini Road.
© NZPocketGuide.com5. Mangaone Caves Track (20 Minutes One Way)
A caving adventure that won’t take too much of your time, the Mangaone Caves is an awesome caving option for those first-time cavers. No guides, no expenses: just awesome self-guided fun. Take a torch and follow the poled route over farmland to a viewpoint of the coast. Follow some steps into the main cave where there are two passages accessed by ladders.
Location: 40km (25 miles) from Wairoa. Turn off State Highway 2 about 4km (2 miles) north of Nuhaka or 5km (3 miles) south of Morere Springs. Track 6km (4 miles) up a winding gravel road called the Mangaone Valley Road.
© Wikipedia6. Shine Falls Track (1h30mins Return)
As you have probably figured out by now, there is no lack of waterfalls in New Zealand. Another dramatic waterfall can be found in the Boundary Stream Scenic Reserve on the flanks of the Maungaharuru Range meaning “rumbling mountain” because of the sounds of birdlife heard from the mountain. The most popular track in the area is a 2km (1.2-mile) track to Shine Falls taking you through gorgeous lowland forest to the falls. For more awesome natural features like Shine Falls, check out Top 10 Natural Attractions in Hawke’s Bay
Location: From Wairoa, follow State Highway 2 west until you see the sign for Shine Falls in Tutira. Turn right into Matahorua Road and follow for 11km (7 miles). Turn left into Heays Access Road and follow for 6.5km (4 miles) before reaching the Department of Conservation car park.
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Wairoa Township Riverside Walkway (1h30mins One Way)
A great way to discover the town of Wairoa is on the Wairoa Township Riverside Walkway. Start at the Portland Island Lighthouse which stands next to the Wairoa Bridge – it’s impossible to miss. Follow the walkway along the southern banks of the Wairoa River to a lookout point on Pilot’s Hill. Here, you can see Portland Island and even as far as Cape Kidnappers on a clear day. If you continue further along Whakamahi Road there are some small boxes with relics from World War Two. See more 10 Unmissable Things to Do in Wairoa.
Location: Wairoa. Start from the lighthouse.
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk (3-4 Days One Way)
There’s no better way to end this list than with a New Zealand Great Walk. The 3-4 day wilderness experience of the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk provides a well-rounded experience of the Te Urewera rainforest incorporating waterfalls, magnificent bush and lake views. For more information, check out 17 Stunning Lake Waikaremoana Walks and How to Prepare for a Great Walk in New Zealand.
Location: Te Urewera. Book transport, either shuttle or water taxi, from Opoura Bay where there is a car park for visitors and a visitor centre.
© NZPocketGuide.comIf You Liked This Article…
Let these articles please you!
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2024])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
![Tongariro Crossing Accommodation & Transport 🗻 [2024] Guide](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MjEyMjo0MDg=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMzAwIDIwMCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyMDAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+PC9zdmc+)
