Tarawera Falls is majestic. Water gushes from multiple cracks in the cliffside making for a unique and dramatic waterfall. However, it’s not the only incredible sight along the trail, you’ll also find what must be the most beautiful river in all the North Island.
The turquoise blue water has to be seen to be believed and a dip here feels like you’ve entered paradise. The whole area has a really special feel to it, the kind of place that has you dreaming of returning before you’ve even left. In short, if you’re in Rotorua, Taupo or anywhere within a day-trippable distance of Tarawera Falls, you simply have to visit.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip, including where it’s safe to swim.
Visiting Tarawera Falls and Outlet
Know before you go
We usually put logistics at the end of the post, but this one is really important and crucial for your visit. In order to get to Tarawera Falls you need to obtain a permit before you go. At time of writing permits are $10 per car and only available from the Kawerau I-site.
The permit allows you to use private forestry roads (which are unsealed, but in good condition). You used to be able to obtain the permits online, but currently that’s not the case, so you’ll need to pop into the I-site before you head to the falls.
An alternative to this is to use a water taxi service, run by Totally Tarawera, but our guide relates to visiting independently.
The Tarawera Falls and Tarawera Outlet Tracks
Essentially there are two main trails in the area (there are a couple more but they are much longer). The one most people will do is the Tarawera Falls Track, which is easy and has a good gravel path the whole way.
The second follows on from the falls and takes you to the Tarawera Outlet and is also pretty easy, but does have a little elevation gain and some sections of slightly less manicured trail.
The Tarawera Falls Track
The stats
Distance: 1.5km return
Difficulty: Easy
The narrow gravel path to the falls heads straight into the shady forest and almost immediately you’ll get your first view of the absolutely sensational Tarawera River.
It honestly looks like the famous Putaruru blue spring, but even better, and this one doesn’t experience any of the crowds and allows you to swim!
It’s basically paradise! I’ll go into this more later in the post, but with regards to swimming - you are allowed - but you do have to be very careful about where.
There is quite a strong current throughout most of the river, especially if the water is running high.
You’ll notice a beautiful entry point to the water around 400m into the trail – there’s no official steps or anything as the whole area is left wild, but you’ll recognise it when you see it.
I was going to swim here, but ended up just having a shallower dip because the current was really strong.
It’s a spectacular spot, but if you do get in, check the current first or stay in the shallows – there are calmer places further along the river if it’s very strong here.
The walk continues through the forest, over a little bridge and very gently uphill until you come to the waterfall viewing platform.
It takes around 15 minutes at a leisurely pace from the car park.
The view from here is great, but you can also head a few minutes downhill to the base of the falls.
The path is more rustic, but not difficult and there are a number of large rocks you can sit on and enjoy the spray!
The Tarawera Outlet Track
The stats
Distance: 10.6km return
Elevation: 275m
Difficulty: Easy
The Tarawera Outlet trail is a bit more of a hike, and has a couple of steep sections. The trail is in great condition throughout and is well worth adding on for its beautiful forest and to see more of the stunning river. The whole walk from the car park to the Outlet and back at a leisurely pace took us 2 hours 45 minutes.
Continuing the trail from Tarawera Falls
Continuing on from the waterfall, the trail leaves the river side and begins heading uphill into the forest. It’s not that long, but this is the biggest climb of the track, lasting around 500m.
There are a few trees and some debris down over the path, but all are easy to manoeuvre around.
You’ll then come to a junction where you can opt to take the Cascade Trail or the Tarawera Outlet shortcut.
There’s only 400m difference between the two, so it’s worth taking the Cascade Trail out and the shortcut on the way back.
Following the cascades
The Cascades Trail lives up to its name with a series of small but powerful cascades. Before you reach any of the cascades though, you’ll walk past a patch of dry forest and hear the river loud and clear.
That’s because there is a large underground river and - cool as that is to hear from above - it’s a stark reminder to watch where you’re swimming. The main entrance to the underground river is marked with a warning sign.
You’ll soon reach several cascades which are all quite powerful and really worth seeing.
Just beyond a signpost pointing back towards Tarawera Falls and roughly 1.9km into the trail, you’ll reach one of the more sedate parts of the river.
I assumed this was the swimming hole I’d seen mentioned on the DOC website. It isn’t.
Whilst I did (and you can take a swim here), there is still a strongish current as soon as you leave the obvious sheltered spot, which doesn’t leave much room for swimming.
The riverbank is also heavily eroded in this area. I was looking for a way down into the water and the bank gave way and I fell into the river – a good reminder not to walk along too close to the edge of a river bank!
Although you can get into and out of the water here and it is a very pretty spot, there’s a much better swimming hole just a little further along the trail!
Roughly 10m beyond this spot you’ll meet the end of the Cascades Trail as it merges with the Tarawera Outlet short cut to become one track again.
The whole of the Cascades Trail is easy going, either flat or gently undulating and the path is in great condition.
To the best swimming spot
Just a few minutes after the tracks merge you’ll see another two sets of cascades and then a third which is more like a waterfall. Not tall, but wide and incredibly forceful. This is where you’ll see the warning sign not to swim as it’s one of the entrances to the underground river.
Makes me shudder to even think about it! It’s otherwise a great spot though as the waterfall is so powerful that it becomes quite mesmerising.
You’ll then continue following the trail beside the beautiful river for a further 500m before you reach the ‘official’ swimming hole.
There is still a current here to be mindful of, but it’s much less intense. It’s easily one of the most gorgeous swimming spots I’ve ever seen, with the turquoise water surrounded by tree ferns and other dense foliage.
You’ll know you’re in the right spot because there are two rope swings here.
It’s also much easier to get into the water than the first swimming spot I mentioned because the riverbank is really low. It’s by far your best bet for swimming, but as mentioned it still does have a current, although it may lessen when the water level is lower.
The section of the track to get here is all either uphill or undulating, but nothing too taxing.
To the Tarawera Outlet
Roughly 200m beyond the swimming hole you will need to descent a short but steepish hill. There are stairs at the top and then it’s a dirt path. There are two ropes here you can use, I didn’t need them and I tend to be on the cautious side, so it’s really not that hard. They would be very handy if there’s been heavy rain though and would give you stability if the trail gets slippery.
After this the trail becomes predominantly flat and very easy going all the way to the lake. There is a short section where you’re out in the sunshine (where we saw two wallabies!) but otherwise you’re under the forest canopy, which keeps it nice and cool.
The path is in great condition and it’s a relaxing stroll where you get plenty of good views down to the river. Although some people will think this part of the walk is less interesting, I loved it because it was really peaceful and I could totally zone out and just enjoy the scenery without ever needing to look at my feet.
I also fell in love with the river as you have probably gathered, so any opportunity to spend more time walking beside it was a bonus!
Towards the end of the trail the river widens and you emerge from the forest, you’ll start to see glimpses of Mount Tarawera through the trees.
You’ll reach the bridge over the river which marks the end of the trail, roughly 5.4km into the walk.
You can then walk into the campsite which has a toilet and water if you need – but signs say it needs to be treated.
There’s also a bench seat by the lake which makes for a nice picnic spot, or somewhere to relax beside the water before you head back.
Heading back
Heading back along the trail was much quicker. It took roughly 1 hour 15 and we weren’t rushing, but stopped less for photos etc. We also used the short cut route which shaved off a little time. You have two little uphill sections and some undulations but the majority of the track is either flat or downhill.
The hardest part was leaving such a truly spectacular area, but in the end it was time that made it happen because you aren’t allowed to use the road after 7pm!
Essential information about visiting Tarawera Falls
The road
The falls are located outside the town of Kawerau. Once you hit the private forestry roads which will take you to the Tarawera Falls car park it is all unsealed. For the most part it’s gravel with a few short sections of dirt track. Although there are a few potholes and a corrugations, it’s well maintained and we didn’t have trouble in our tiny car.
It is an active logging area so you will likely pass some huge trucks with wide loads. We only encountered the trucks on the very wide sections, so it was easy to pull right over and give them plenty of space. I’d recommend coming to a stop as they pass as the clouds of dirt that they kick up are pretty crazy, you literally can’t see a thing!
Driving at a fairly low speed (max speed allowed is only 50 km/h) it took us just under 30 minutes driving along the gravel roads and the falls are always well signposted – which is great as it’s a real rabbit warren and you’d never find them.
Note that Google maps does not have the right location for the falls so your journey time will be longer than they suggest. Incidentally be prepared for a bit of a depressing drive, you’re essentially driving through a tree graveyard.
The road closes at 7pm.
Facilities at Tarawera Falls
There is a pit toilet at the car park at Tarawera Falls and at the campsite at the Tarawera Outlet – byo toilet paper! There is water at the campsite which needs to be filtered.
Otherwise there are no facilities whatsoever, including rubbish bins. Please pack all rubbish out with you and keep this area pristine.
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