Ōmanawa Falls (Te Rere o Ōmanawa) is, in my opinion, one of the best waterfalls in New Zealand.
Located near Tauranga on the North Island, Ōmanawa Falls was closed for many years due to safety concerns. But it reopened in December 2023 after significant reinforcement works and is now one of the best day trips from Tauranga.
In this post, I’ll cover an overview of Ōmanawa Falls, where to stay in Tauranga, how to get to Ōmanawa, and what to pack to go hiking in New Zealand.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you decide to use the links and make a successful purchase, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you. Thank you for being here ❤
- An Overview of Ōmanawa Falls History
- How to get to Ōmanawa Falls
- Where to stay in Tauranga
- What to pack to go hiking in New Zealand
- What you’ll find at Ōmanawa Falls
- Hiking to Ōmanawa Falls
An Overview of Ōmanawa Falls History
For generations, Ōmanawa Falls has been a sacred and spiritual area in the rohe of local hapū Ngāti Hangarau.
It is home to the Ōmanawa Falls Power Station, the first underground hydro-generating power station in Aotearoa and the Southern Hemisphere!
Ōmanawa Falls is a place of Āio – insight, reflection and interpretation and a place of Rongoā – meditation and healing. Therefore, you’re asked to embrace the culture, respect the area, and not swim in the falls.
If you want to swim, check out McLaren Falls, Mount Maunganui Main Beach, or Wairere Falls instead.
How to get to Ōmanawa Falls
I always say that if you want to see New Zealand at her best (and off the beaten track!) you’ll need to rent/buy a car.
Located in the Western Bay of Plenty, Ōmanawa Falls is a short 30-minute drive from Tauranga. Take State Highway 29 from Tauranga until you reach Ōmanawa Road. From here, it’s only 10 minutes to the carpark.
Where to stay in Tauranga
Tauranga is one of my favourite places in New Zealand! Accommodation in Tauranga varies from holiday parks and campsites to boutique hotels.
If you’re camping, my go-to spots are McLaren Falls Campsite and Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.
McLaren Falls is half an hour from Mount Maunganui but secluded, shrouded in nature, and nestled amongst waterfalls. It’s operated by the Tauranga District Council and has nice but basic facilities (hot showers, loos, etc.). A night here will cost you just $15!
On the other hand, Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park is slap bang (and I mean SLAP BANG) on Mount Maunganui Main Beach. It’s more expensive ($30 per night) but has an unbeatable location—especially in the summer.
Where you choose to stay will largely depend on what you want from a campsite and how much you value being in amongst the action!
What to pack to go hiking in New Zealand
New Zealand’s weather is often unpredictable; blistering sun one minute, clouds and rain the next. Therefore, I always recommend packing for the unexpected. Especially when you’re hiking for 3+ hours! Here’s a list of my favourite hiking gear:
- Water and a good backpack
- Decent footwear – I love Merrell MOAB boots
- Your packed lunch and some extra snacks
- A thermal/warm base layer and a fleece
- A rain jacket
- A power bank
- Your camera, especially if you like photography
For more information on what to pack to go hiking in New Zealand, check out my day hike packing guide.
What you’ll find at Ōmanawa Falls
A trip to Ōmanawa Falls is one of Tauranga’s best things to do.
Nestled in amongst lush, vividly green native bush, walking through this area feels like you’ve been transported into a scene from Jurassic Park.
Three viewing platforms offer panoramic views of Ōmanawa Falls and the Ōmanawa Valley.
The first two viewing platforms are very easy to reach and are located approximately 25 minutes from the carpark. The third includes several hundred stairs, so a moderate to high level of fitness is required. We didn’t visit this viewpoint, but I’ve heard the hike back up is pretty punishing!
Hiking to Ōmanawa Falls
The first viewing platform, Te Tae Ōmanawa Lookout, is just twelve minutes walk from the carpark! Once parked, head through the carved tomokanga (gateway) downhill along a wide gravel path to Titoki Junction.
The walk is not difficult, and the track is incredibly easy to follow. You’d have to be a few sandwiches short of a picnic to get lost here.
When you reach Titoki Junction, you’ll see the first of a series of information panels which detail the cultural importance of this area to Ngāti Hangarau and the history of the Ōmanawa Falls Power Station. We found these really interesting and learnt a lot!
From Titok Junction, veer left onto Te Tae Ōmanawa Lookout and continue walking for two minutes. This viewpoint offers a partially obstructed view of the falls. But it’s head-on, so you get a taste of what’s coming!
Once you’ve finished taking in the view, head back along the same track. Once back at Titoki Junction, turn left and walk to Wariere Tapu Lookout.
This lookout gives you that iconic Instagram shot of Ōmanawa Falls you’ve likely seen all over social media! The viewpoint is boarded and juts out from the cliff face. These photos speak for themselves!
If you want to continue onto Te Harikoa Lookout and the base of the falls, head left and keep walking for 40 minutes. The track is steep, with approximately 660 stairs, so it’s not for the faint-hearted! I’d only recommend going down to the end of the track if you have a moderate-high fitness level.
Continue back to the carpark along the same track. The return walk is harder than the track on the way here as it’s mostly uphill. But the views are beautiful so it’ll pass in no time!
If you want more things to do in Tauranga, check out my four-day Mount Maunganui itinerary!
Notes to Home 