Impressive tawa/podocarp forest leads to a rain-fed waterway which is home to a number of rare birds.
Birdlife includes the blue duck/whio, North Island kākā, red and yellow crowned kākāriki, kiwi and kererū.
6 km return via same track
Image gallery
Video
Aerial view of Arohaki Lagoon
Image: David Finn | DOC
The track starts at the Arohaki Lagoon car park, adjacent to River Road, following an old disued hauling track in a westerly direction before descending and crossing the Waiatiu Stream.
The track follows a spur and climbs to a terrace before continuing west and reaching a viewing platform at Arohaki Lagoon at the end of the track.
The ephemeral lagoon (rain-fed) is surrounded by towering kahikatea and is often alive with frogs - and in times of drought, appears to dry up. Even so, it remains an interesting place to visit.
Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park is 90 km south-east of Rotorua. Access to Arohaki Lagoon is via River road, off Old Te Whaiti Road, to the Arohaki Lagoon carpark.
A reasonable level of fitness is required as the terrain ranges from steep uplands to flats.
DOC Customer Service Centre
| Phone: | 0800 275 362 |
| Email: | easternbop@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: | Whakatāne Office |