Short walks around Rotorua
This is a well-formed bush walk with scenic lookouts over the Kaituna River and its spectacular waterfalls.
Once the site of one of New Zealand’s first hydroelectric power stations, this area is steeped in European
and Māori history.
Okere Falls
Te Puke
36


33
Kaharoa Kōkako Track
Hamurana Springs
Hinehopu Track
Tauranga
Lake
Rotoehu
Hamurana
Lake Rotoiti
Ohau
Channel
30

Kawerau &
Whakatane
Lake Rotorua
Putararu

Okataina
Shorter Walks
Mokoia
Island
Ngongotaha
5
i-SITE & Visitor Centres
1
Rotorua i-SITE Visitor
Centre, 1167 Fenton Street
(DOC Visitor Centre Ranger
available on part time basis)
2
City focus, Cnr Hinemoa
and Tutanakai Streets
3
The Redwoods
Visitor Centre and i-SITE,
Long Mile Road, Rotorua
Mt Whakapoungakau
758 m
Mt Ngongotaha
757 m
Rotorua
Airport
Rotorua
1
2
3
Mistletoe
Track
Whakarewarewa
/ Te Puia
Northern Tarawera
Track
Humphries
Bay Campsite
Blue Lake Track
Lake
Tikitapu
(Blue Lake)
Tikitapu
Nature Walk
Tarawera Falls
Okareka
Walkway
Tarawera Outlet
Campsite
Lake Tarawera
30

Lake Rotokakahi
(Green Lake)
Mt Tarawera
1111 m
Tarawera Trail
Hotwater Beach
Campsite

To visit Waiotapu mud pool, continue past Rainbow Mountain for 5.5 km to Waiotapu Loop Road, on the
left opposite Waikite Road. NZTM X: 1,895,131 Y:5,753,811
Take in views of the beautiful Blue Lake (Lake Tikitapu) by walking this looped track. The track
can be walked in either direction. Park at the lakefront car park (NZTM X: 1,891,522 Y: 5,768,313).
To walk clockwise, follow the road to your left. Alternatively, find the entrance into the bush by
walking to the far right of the sanded area.
Buried
Village
5
Both the Nature loop and the Jubilee Track leave from Violet Bonnington Reserve, at the end of Paradise
Valley Road. Rotorua City Ride bus route 7 ( Mitchell Downs via Clayton Road) provides transport to and
from Pukuatua Street (Rotorua CBD) to the corner of Clayton and Pukehangi Roads. The entrance to the
tracks is about 10 minutes walk up Paradise Valley Road (X:1,879,591 Y:5,774,793)
Blue Lake Track 1 hour 30 minutes, 5.5 km
Tarawera
Lookout
Tokoroa
Meander through unlogged native bush in tranquil surroundings. Interpretation panels along the way
provide information on the plants and animals in the Reserve. For a more vigorous walk, try the Jubilee
Track which heads to the summit of Mount Ngongotaha.
Travel south-east of Rotorua for 26 km along the Rotorua-Taupo highway (SH5). Parking for the Summit
Track is on the left just past the turning for SH38. NZTM X: 1,895,162 Y:5,753,838
Lake
Okareka
Rotorua mountain
bike car park
Ngongotaha Nature Loop 1 hour loop, 2.5 km
Check out Rotorua’s geothermal wonders by climbing to the summit of Maunga Kakaramea (Mountain
of coloured earth). Enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of the Rotorua area once you reach the top.
Extend your day by visiting Waiotapu - New Zealand’s largest mud pool.
934 m
Lake Okareka
Campsite
Getting there: Follow SH33 for 21km from Rotorua CBD, past Rotorua International Airport, until you
reach Okere Falls. Turn left onto Trout Pool Road and continue until you see the car park on the right.
(X: 1,893,527 Y: 5,787,310)
Rainbow Mountain Summit Track 1 hour
30 minutes to the summit, 2.5 km
Eastern Okataina
Track
Makatiti Dome
Lake
Okataina
Fenton St
Ngongotaha Jubilee
Track & Nature Loop
Okere Falls Track 30 minutes 1 way, 1.2 km
Hamurana Springs walk, 30 minute loop, 1.6 km
Legend
Isthmus
Track
Lake
Rotomahana
Information
Campsite
Geothermal bathing
Geothermal feature
Historic site
Carpark
Waimangu
Volcanic Valley
Highway
Sealed road
Metalled road
Walking track
Lake Okaro
Campsite
Rainbow Mtn Craters &
Summit Track
Brett Rd
Campsite
Lake
Okaro
Re
Guy Roe
Campsite
rew
ait
Br
oa
ad
Ro
d
For more information
pick up a copy of
‘Explore Rotorua’ or visit
www.doc.govt.nz
d
Maungakakaramea /
Rainbow Mountain 743 m
ett
uR
Lake
Rerewhakaaitu
oa
Waiotapu Mudpool
ka
Ash Pit Rd
Campsite
Bre
tt R
Waikite
Hot Pools
ha
Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, this is an easy, tranquil streamside walk. The waters of
the springs are a Wildlife Sanctuary and play host to many bird species including scaup and the
endangered dabchick. The springs are a major source of the water supply for the Hamurana
and Ngongotaha areas.
Hamurana is a 15-20 minute drive from Rotorua, 7 km past Ngongotaha. The car park is on the left
just past the golf course (X: 1,886,062 Y:5,785,363)
Kerosene
Creek
38

Murupara
Taupo
Twin Streams
Waiotapu Thermal
Wonderland
0
5km
10km