Walks further out of Taupo township

Track category

Walking track

Description

Kawakawa Bay Walking Track

Kawakawa Bay

Time: 4 hr return

Travel north from Taupo on SH 1 over the Waikato River. At the top of the hill turn left into Poihipi Road and follow signs to Kinloch (24 km). Go past the boat marina to a parking area by the beach in Nisbett Terrace.

The track to Kawakawa Bay begins at the western end of the beach to the right of the parking area. The track entrance is signposted. Dogs are allowed on this track. Glorious views feature as the track climbs from Whangamata Bay and sidles along the top of a broad cliff. The bush is dominated by rewarewa but look out for the giant matai too. Once you reach the rocky lookout the track drops down to Kawakawa Bay.

Tahunatara Point Walking Track

Time: 1 hr 30 min return

Take SH 1 north out of Taupo, cross the Control Gates, turn left onto Norman Smith Street, left onto Acacia Bay Road, and right onto Mapara Road. Follow this for 6.7 km then turn left onto the unsealed Whakaipo Bay Road. Head down towards the beach then veer left to the track signs. Park beside the fence. The track begins across the Mapara Stream bridge. Cross the stile to the right of the bridge and follow the track markers past the boat ramp and along the Lakeshore through regenerating bush. It's an easy walk on level ground - ideal for families. There are several picnic and fishing spots along the way, and dogs are allowed on the track.

At the end of the track there are views over the lake to Karangahape cliffs and the Tongariro National Park volcanoes. Walk a further five minutes to view Tahunatara Point. Return via the same route.

Note: This track crosses private land leased by the department from the trustees of the ID2 Maori Land Trust. Please respect the landowners wishes and stay on the track.

Opepe Graves and Northern Walking Track

Time: 30 - 45 min

One of the graves at Opepe

Follow the Napier/Taupo Highway (SH 5) 17 km from Taupo. The highway bisects Opepe Scenic and Historic Reserve and there are car parks on both sides of the road. Dogs are permitted on this track.

On the northern side a short walk, a loop track, brings you to a graveyard where members of the Bay of Plenty Cavalry, who died in an engagement with followers of the Maori warrior Te Kooti, were buried. Later, residents of Opepe Township and the Armed Constabulary were also buried there. Continue around the bush loop track through mature podocarp (rimu, matai, miro) forest - unusual in this region as so much was destroyed by the Taupo eruption of 186AD and later by fires and the woodman's axe.

Opepe Southern Walking Track

Time: 1 - 1hr 30 min loop track

This track is situated on the southern side of SH5. Taking the track to the right from the car park you have the option of walking to a pitsaw pit and returning (20 minutes return) or continuing around the loop. Approximately 20 minutes past the pitsaw pit is an historic water trough and totara fence, relics of the old township. As you continue up the track to the site of Opepe township you cross the orginal Napier Taupo Road. At one time Opepe Township had a hotel, a store and several dwellings. The remains of water wells can still be seen.

An Armed Constabulary stockade, occupied from 1869 to 1885, was situated on the western escarpment.

Dogs are permitted to walk this track.

Getting there

These walks require a drive of at least 15 minutes out of Taupo township.

Activities

Plan and prepare

Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.

The weather in central North Island is extremely changeable all year around. Be prepared for all weather.

For longer walks take:

• windproof/waterproof raincoat and overtrousers
• spare warm clothing
• sturdy, comfortable shoes or boots
• food and drink
• map for unmarked routes (available at DOC offices)
• sunglasses and suncream
• first aid kit

We recommend treating all water in from streams.

back to top