05 Feb 2012
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Wairere Falls walk

Wairere Falls
Map of New Zealand showing Wairere Falls walk
Location: Top half of the north island
Nearest Town: Matamata
Nearest City: Hamilton (60Ks) 1 hour 10 minutes
Length of tramp: 3.9 ks
Time needed: 1 hr 45 min
Difficulty: Hard
Route: One way to top
Elevation: 40m to 400m in 2.9 ks
Wet Feet: No
Toilets: Yes, DOC has installed two new enviro loos at the start of the walk within sight of the carpark...very clean.
Dogs: Yes
Mobile phone coverage: Yes
Date this tramp was last walked: 11 July 07
Track quality:

 Good.  Very little mud.  Two bridges. And 121 steep, stair case. 

Shops/restaurants:

 Te Aroha Visitor Centre have lots of options for where to stay www.tearohanz.co.nz

Petrol station:

 In Matamata

Hazards:

 (90m) drop from the top of the falls!

Transport:

 No

Water:

 Drink only from the river. so long as no one is having a swim 

Driving Instructions:

Matamata.  At the southern end of town.  On the main Rd to Tauranga, turn on to Tower Rd. This road will take you out to the opal hot pools.
At Okauia springs Rd. 3.4 Ks - Turn Right.
At Old Te Aroa Rd 7.4 Ks - Turn left
At Goodwin Rd  13.7 Ks - Turn Right.
The Car park is 0.7 Ks.   Watch out for the farmer.

Camping on track:

 Yes

Track highlights:

 Narrow gorge, waterfall and fantastic views of the Waikato

 

Map of Wairere Falls :

This is a dynamic map. You can zoom in and out using the "+" and "-" buttons, drag the map to see surrounding areas and click on the flags to see each position on the map

Detailed track description for
Wairere Falls:

Point 1 - Start

Photo of Point 1 - Start

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The car park has a security hidden camera in the trees; well that is what the sign said.  The start is easy to find, walk to the southern end of the car park.  Down to the sign post.  The lookout is 45mins. 

Point 2

Photo of Point 2Photo of Point 2

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Into the bush and turn to the right.  You will walk up through very interesting bush and rocky ground, don’t even think of calling in to the toilet long drop.  Only fit for blow flies.  You should have gone before you left town!

Point 3

Photo of Point 3Photo of Point 3

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After 5 mins you will cross a bridge.  Then a little bush and farm walking.  Pass the Old Maori track on your right, which is very steep and very very slippery after a little rain and over grown in places.

Point 4

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After another 5 min walking you will cross the second bridge and the third etc.  The tack will lead you under and around rocky out crops covered in moss and dark green ferns. There is this one corner, when you walk around it, you get this aerie feeling there is a dinosaur waiting to say Hi welcome to my neighbourhood. Please stay for dinner!

Point 5

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The creek follows the track most of the way to the 121 steps,  so take some  time,  set up the tripod and try a couple of time exposures of the water falls.  Should I tell you about the 121 steps, up the new wooden stair case, its well built, OK, I won’t.  The last 10 Min to the lookout might make you sweat a little. 

Point 6

Photo of Point 6Photo of Point 6Photo of Point 6

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The turn off to the lookout to the left, it’s not a big sign, so look were you are going.  Take a break at the lookout, take a photo or two, sit down on the bench seats and enjoy the view of the falls.  Back to the main track, the first 20 min is an uphill climb, not too hard. You will pass the turn off to the old Maori track after 5 min.  This track is over grown and is a very slippery clay base all the way to the bottom.

Point 7 - summit

Photo of Point 7 - summitPhoto of Point 7 - summitPhoto of Point 7 - summit

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At the top, turn left at the creek, a 2 min walk to the falls. There is a small platform and seats so you can enjoy the view. A strong and cold wind can power over the top of the falls, so get the warm jacket out.  Back at the creek the track carries on to the right, it is a good walk along the creek.  You will see a vast change in the bush.  But don’t go too far, a taxi back from Tauranga might set you back a few dollars!  

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Point 1 - Start

Photo of Point 1 - StartWairere Falls walk
Full description...

Point 2

Photo of Point 2Into the bush and turn to the right. You will walk up through very interesting bush and rocky ground, don’t even think of calling in to the toilet long drop. Only fit for blow flies. You should have gone before you left town!
Full description...

Point 3

Photo of Point 3After 5 mins you will cross a bridge. Then a little bush and farm walking. Pass the Old Maori track on your right, which is very steep and very very slippery after a little rain and over grown in places.
Full description...

Point 4

Photo of Point 4Point 4
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Point 5

Photo of Point 5Point 5
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Point 6

Photo of Point 6Point 6
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Point 7 - summit

Photo of Point 7 - summitPoint 7 - summit
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