Image: Tom Clarke | Creative Commons
Walking track through trees.
Lake Waikareiti Walk

Located in Lake Waikaremoana area and Te Urewera in the East Coast region

The Lake Waikareiti Walk will take you two hours to complete a return trip. Along the way you may hear the screech of the kākā and the chatty ki-ki-ki of the yellow-crowned parakeet (kākāriki).

Te Urewera is recognised in New Zealand law as a living person. Te Urewera is spoken for and governed by a board. Care for Te Urewera, including the tracks and facilities, is carried out by Te Uru Taumatua – Ngāi Tūhoe’s operational entity.

This well-graded track rises 300 m in altitude to the day shelter at Lake Waikareiti. The forest is predominantly red and silver beech with mighty rimu trees emerging above the canopy.

Beyond the day shelter a tramping track runs to Sandy Bay Hut at the northern end of the lake (a further 3 hours from the day shelter). The hut (bookings required) lies idyllically on the shores of a shallow bay which features brilliant white sand.

The Ruapani Circuit Track can be accessed from this track about half an hour beyond the Waikareiti day shelter.

The Lake Waikareiti Walk begins 200 m from the visitor centre on the road to Rotorua.

Be prepared, with warm clothes, food and a raincoat.