Walking Tracks : Gisborne Accommodation, Gisborne Lodge, Hawkes Bay Accommodation, Waikaremoana Accommodation

With Lake Waikamarino Lodge as your base, you can walk, hike, or tramp some of the most amazing native bush tracks in the world hidden in the rainforests of Te Urewera National Park and around Lake Waikaremoana.

The Lake Waikaremoana Track, is a 46 kilometre, three to four day tramping track of moderate difficulty. It follows the lakeshore for most of its length and is a moderately easy walk. Magnificent forested scenery and plenty of opportunity for swimming and fishing are features of the walk. It can be walked at any time of the year. is a 46 kilometre, three to four day tramping track of moderate difficulty. It follows the lakeshore for most of its length and is a moderately easy walk. Magnificent forested scenery and plenty of opportunity for swimming and fishing are features of the walk. It can be walked at any time of the year by independent groups.

Alternatively, Whakamarino Lodge can arrange for experienced guides to take groups of six or more on the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk. The Waikaremoana Guided walks include educative, informative discussion along the way on the Eco-environment, native fauna and flora plus the natural and cultural history of this amazing area. Cost includes hut fees, meals along the way, plus guide fees. You can book your guided walk when your reserve your accommodation at Whakamarino Lodge.

Onepoto Caves Track

Situated close to SH 38 and only a few minutes by car from Whakamarino Lodge, the Onepoto Caves Track is a 2 km (1.2 miles) return trip and is signposted at the road side, at the site of the original Lake Waikaremoana outlet. The end point or turning point of the track is a lookout and parking place above the edge of the lake.

The track passes around or through a large number of caves, crevices and rock over-hangs that make interesting exploration. A torch is needed if you intend to explore the caves and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Lake Waikareiti Walkway

Lake Waikareiti (approx. 3.5 km long)is a secluded and completely unspoilt jewel of a lake, (one of only a few in NZ free of introduced lake weed) situated one hours walk from the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre, via a well graded shoe track which climbs steadily for 310m to a day shelter on the lake shore.

The lake contains 5 islands, one of which contains it's own small lakelet. DOC has hire rowboats at the lake, use of which can be booked in advance. A 15 bunk hut is at the far end, a total walk of 3.5 hours or 1 hours walk and 30 minutes rowing. The hut is one of the Great Walk huts and use must be pre-booked.

Good fishing from a boat, shoreline fishing is restricted because the forest extends to the waters edge in all but a few places.

Manuoha - Waikareiti Track

This is a spectacular and challenging walk suited to reasonably experienced trampers. It takes a minimum of three days to complete and can be walked in either direction. The Manuoha - Waikareiti Track is 32 km (19.84 miles) long and takes approximately 18 hours walking time, with two overnight hut stops and a possible camp out.

The start of the West to East route is is 16 km (9.92 miles) west of the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre (about 30 mins drive from Lake Whakamarino Lodge.

The first section is from the Waiotukupuna Bridge (signposted from SH 38) to the Manuoha hut (6 hours). You will have a steady, steep climb to the top of Mt Manuoha, which at 1,392m (4,567 ft) is the highest point in Te Urewera National Park.

The next section (Manuoha Hutt to Sandy Bay Hutt) is graded as a route, not a track (8 hours). There are views of Lake Waikareiti and Kaipo Lagoon at different points.

The last section (Sandy Bay Hut to Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre) runs along the shores of Lake Waikareiti. There are suitable camping spots along the way (4.5 hours).

Hinerau Track

Situated next to the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre (20 mins from Lake Whakamarino Lodge) the

Hinerau Track is 1.2 km ( .745 miles) long and takes approximately 1/2 an hour to walk.

It follows the left bank above the Aniwaniwa River and provides views of spectacular waterfalls as well as Lake Waikaremoana. The Bridal Fall is the first waterfall visible where the river falls over a 15 m rock ledge to form a misty sheet of water. Further along the track there is a view of the Aniwaniwa Falls (two drops of water spectacular in any season).

Remember this important information

If you going to be using the track system in the park for overnight trips and you are independent (ie not with a private guided tour party) make sure you are properly equipped and well prepared.

Make sure your group has a capable leader and that everyone is carrying a sleeping bag, portable cooking stove, cooking utensils, sufficient high energy food (with some extra for emergencies), a waterproof raincoat and overtrousers, gloves, a hat, and several layers of warm (wool or fleece) clothing.

Please check at the Department of Conservation visitor centre for up-to-date information on weather and track conditions. Fill in an intention form and remember to let them know when you have completed your trip.

Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre
State Highway 38, Aniwaniwa,
Lake Waikaremoana
urewerainfo@doc.govt.nz
Ph: 64 6 837 3900
Fax: 64 6 837 3722

Whether or not you are doing independent walks, hikes or tramps, or going with a guided party, make sure you reserve your accommodation at Lake Whakamarino Lodge well in advance.

To Contact Us:
Ph : +64 6 837-3876 Fax: +64 6 837-3872 info@lakelodge.co.nz