Whirinaki Waterfalls Track
Walking track
Time:
4 hr
Distance:
9.3 km
Getting there
Located in the Whirinaki Forest Park which is 90 km south-east of Rotorua, off SH 38. Entrance is past Minginui Village and up River Road to the Whirinaki carpark, the northern starting point for many walkers. You can also walk from the southern end, starting at Plateau carpark, about 43 km from Minginui along forestry roads. The carpark can also be reached from the Napier/Taupo Highway. Access to the Whirinaki Waterfalls Track is via River Road, off Old Te Whaiti Road.
About the area
There is something for everyone in Bay of Plenty's Whirinaki Forest Park, from mountain biking to hunting to exciting adventure races, all with a back drop of untouched forest beauty and amazing native birdsong.
Description
View of Whirinaki Waterfall from the
track
This easy loop track follows the Whirinaki River through superb podocarp forest with many excellent vantage points of the river. The waterfall can be heard from some distance.
This track visits some of the parks special features and shows off the magnificent 'dinosaur forset', dominated by towering examples of kahikatea, totara, matai, rimu, miro and much tawa.
Ensure you stop off along the track when you can see the river as this is the best river in the Bay of Plenty to view whio (blue duck) from.
Plan and prepare
What to expect on a walking track:
- Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day
- Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy
- Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities
- Clearly sign posted. Stream and river crossings are bridged
- Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required
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