Waiotemarama Waterfall Loop Walk
Alert/Important notice
Track closed until further notice due to a slip
Track category
Walking track
Time:
3 hr return
Distance:
2.5 km
Description
Waiotemarama waterfall
The track follows the gorge on the true right hand side of the stream for 20 minutes. Where the track crosses the stream you get good views of a beautiful, 20-metre waterfall and surrounding bush.
The vegetation here is mainly Tawa and Taraire, and other assorted hardwoods. From the stream, the track ascends in a zigzag past the top of the waterfall up to the ridge to a viewing platform overlooking the gorge. You then sidle around hardwood forest to a saddle and up a face to enter the kauri stand. Once in the kauri stand the track climbs the main ridge to the Hauturu Highpoint Track junction then back down in a loop to rejoin the track back out to the road end. You can get nice views of kauri from the loop.
Getting there
North - Travel SH 12 towards Opononi. 4 km before Opononi turn left (sign posted) onto Waiotemarama Gorge Road. Follow it for 6 km to reach the start of the Waiotemarama Bush Walk (sign posted).
South - Travel SH 12 towards Opononi. Pass the town Waimamaku, 6 km before Opononi, turn right (sign posted) onto Waiotemarama Gorge Road. Follow for another 4 km to reach the start of the Waiotemarama Bush Walk (sign posted).
About the area
The Waipoua / Waima / Matarau forest is the largest intact area of high altitude, kauri, and coastal forest associations in Northland. It spans a full altitudinal sequence from the coast to the highest points in Northland (Te Raupua 781 metres, Ngapukehau 762 metres and Mt Misery 728 metres).
The cold, high bluffs of Waima Forest are home to rare woody plants found nowhere else, including karamu (Coprosma waima), a tree daisy (Olearia crebra) and a recently discovered tree - Turoa onamata (Ackama nubicola). These plants, thought to be relics of a past ice age, are eaten by possums (and other browsers), though they have benefited from sustained possum control since 1995.
Plan and prepare
- It is important that you refer to the weather report before embarking on the Waiotemarama Waterfall Loop Walk as the water level of the stream can rise suddenly with heavy downpours.
- The track is slippery when wet.
- Abrupt weather changes and exposure to wind chill can be encountered.
- Only attempt this track if time (daylight hours) and fitness permit.
- Ensure you take warm clothing even during summer.
- Please ensure your footwear is clean before entering the bush, and is cleaned before visiting another site. This is to help prevent the spread of the kauri dieback disease Phytophthora taxon Agathis (PTA)
- Permits are required for dogs and hunting, these can be acquired free of charge from the Kauri Coast Area Office.
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