Tarawera Falls, Cascade Falls and the Lake Tarawera Outlet

I was actually on a date when I first tried to walk from Tarawera Falls to the outlet five years ago. Back when there was still road access to the Lake Tarawera Outlet (Te Tapahoro) campsite, we parked his car at the outlet and mine at the Tarawera Falls carpark. Maybe I was nervous, but for some reason I left my keys in his car. About halfway to Tarawera Falls I suddenly realised what I had done. He was a good sport about it, so we picked a spot by the river for our picnic and then walked back to the car and drove to the falls. Five years on, I'm happy to say I've finally walked the whole full track. For those who've hiked with me and wondered why I'm so pedantic about checking my keys, now you know!

I was second in line at the Kawerau isite to get my forestry road permit. A couple of tourists in their campervan had been waiting too and were straight inside as soon as the door opened at 9am. Permits are only issued on weekends and some public holidays (it’s $10 per vehicle for a day pass). Make sure to display the permit in your car because they do check them. The Tarawera Falls car park is about a 30-minute drive from Kawerau. Most of it on gravel, but 2WD can get there as long as it’s not too low, otherwise you might not come home with a bumper.

Tarawera Falls

From the car park, it’s an easy 15-minute walk to Tarawera Falls. You usually hear it before it appears behind the big boulder beside the track. The couple from the campervan said hello as they walked past - I had left before them, so either they had boosted it or I was walking like a turtle that day. Probably the latter. If you’re not up for a 12km day, I recommend walking the Cascade Falls Track (approx. 2.5 hours return). It’s a great loop track that follows the Tarawera River as it flows through subterranean lava tubes and porous rock. There’s one decent uphill section on the way, apart from that, it really is a lovely bush walk.

Cascade Falls

The campsite at Te Tapahoro closed down for a few years, but I've seen that you can book online again on DoC's website. Still no road access, but there's boat access or walking in and out like I did. If I could get a forestry road permit during the week (or a friend with a boat), I’d like to walk the Northern Tarawera Track to Humphries Bay, then walk to the junction with the Eastern Okataina Track (closed). A couple of years ago I went kayaking at Lake Okataina, passing the massive slip that had closed the track and got as far as Kaiwaka Bay before turning around. I only had an inflatable kayak and didn’t have a spray skirt, so as soon as the swell started to pick up after lunch, I decided to make my way back. So yeah, if you have a boat and can do a drop off and pick up at Te Tapahoro campsite, hit me up!

This jump-off spot was a popular in the summer with both locals and visitors staying at the campground.

Under the canopy, I hadn’t really noticed the wind, but as I got closer to the outlet, the kahikatea trees were dancing like those blow-up tube men you see at car yards in the movies! I had plans to have lunch by the jetty just past the campsite, but the chilly wind put a stop to that. I probably could’ve had lunch at the campsite but decided I could walk and eat at the same time. My ham and cheese sandwich went down a treat along with the handful of Burger Rings I had left. About five minutes past the campsite on my way back, I met the first hiker I’d seen since that morning. She was part of a bigger group making their way to the outlet. After walking on my own all day, I spent the next 30 minutes telling people they didn’t have long to go.

On my way back, I met up again with the tourists from the isite who were surprised to see me at Cascade Falls. They had taken a longer lunch at the campsite before heading back. I saw them again at Tarawera Falls, along with a few more visitors looking for the best possie to get that magical shot for the ‘gram. I wasn’t really in a rush to get home, so I found myself a dry rock and just enjoyed the view. 

The white-faced heron is common in wetland areas.